US senators are urging US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to take more proactive steps in supporting organisations that promote 'Internet freedom' in countries such as Iran and China, where severe Internet restrictions are enforced.

A republic with a unicameral, half-elected Parliament and a weak, ceremonial president would be a recipe for democratic disaster.

Franklin residents will be split between the new Auckland Supercity, Waikato and Hauraki district councils.

Seven months after Sri Lanka's long and bitter civil war was brought to an end by a withering government assault, the political coalition that supported the Tamil Tigers has thrown its support behind the former army chief who crushed them.

Following the marriage of President Jacob Zuma to his fifth wife, the Independent looks at the arguments for and against polygamy.

Demand for a seat to watch Tony Blair give evidence to the Iraq inquiry has been so high that a public ballot is to be held to allocate the limited places.

Wat a great whimp-out the Government's decision on wether Whanganui should be spelt with an H has been.

The funeral of Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, the eminent cleric and champion of reform, turned into a mass protest in Iran yesterday as the vast crowd chanted slogans against the government and clashed on the streets with security.

Aspiring politicians for the 19 local boards on the Auckland Super City will have to wait until March for a job description.