Tehran tense as Iran's supreme leader endorses vote outcome

Iran's supreme leader gave his blessing to the outcome of the country's presidential election Sunday despite widespread allegations of fraud, calling the results "a divine miracle," the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the record voter turnout in Friday's election showed Iranians value "resistance against oppressors," the agency reported.
"Pointing to enemies' massive propaganda campaign to discourage people from taking part in the elections, Ayatollah Khamenei also said there was really a divine miracle behind this elections, given its results that was 10 million higher than any of the previous ones in the 30-year history of elections in Iran," IRNA reported.
Official results showed President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected with more than 62 percent of the vote. But the hardline incumbent's leading opponent, former Prime Minister Mir Hossein Moussavi, has disputed the results, and his supporters have fought in the streets with police and Ahmadinejad's supporters since the vote.

Leaders gather for Shanghai talks

Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders are gathering in Russia for the ninth Shanghai Co-operation Organisation summit.
Some will also attend the first summit of the four emerging economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China.
The main agenda item at the meetings in Yekaterinburg will be how to deal with the global economic crisis.
Putting the two top-level meetings next to each other highlights the dominance of the economic crisis for both groups.
The two meetings are further signs of a global power shift.
The Shanghai Co-operation Organisation, or SCO, was formed in 2001 by China, Russia and the four Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to curb extremism in the region and enhance border security.
India, Pakistan, Iran and Mongolia later joined as observer members.
It was China's answer to a multi-polar world and increasingly it has played a role in promoting regional security, for example by contributing to reconstruction in Afghanistan.

Internet chat 'dupes Castro son'

A Cuban exile blogger from Miami says he used a female internet alter ego to gain access to a member of the usually impervious family of Fidel Castro.
Luis Dominguez said he used the character to begin an online relationship with 40-year-old Antonio, the son of ex-leader Mr Castro.
He refused to apologise for the deception, saying he wanted to show the "opulent lifestyles" of the Castros.
Cuban authorities have made no comment regarding the online chats.

Palestinians dismiss Israel plan

Palestinians have rejected the Israeli prime minister's conditions for a two-state solution, saying he has "paralysed" the peace process.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a major policy speech, accepted the creation of a Palestinian state but only if it was demilitarised.
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman said his comments challenged Palestinian, Arab and US positions.
But the US said Mr Netanyahu's stance was an "important step forward".
In a landmark speech, weeks after US President Barack Obama urged him to agree a two-state plan, Mr Netanyahu said the Palestinians must accept Israel as a Jewish state.
He said a Palestinian state must have no army, no control of its air space and no way of smuggling in weapons.

His speech provoked anger among Palestinian officials.

Pakistan targets Taliban leader

Pakistan has ordered its military to carry out an offensive against the Pakistani Taliban leader in the north-west of the country, an official says.
Provincial governor Owais Ahmad Ghani said troops had been told to eliminate Baitullah Mehsud and his fighters.
Mr Ghani did not say when the operation would begin, but he suggested that it was imminent.
Baitullah Mehsud's group are reported to be behind a string of attacks in Pakistan in recent weeks.
Mr Ghani told reporters in Islamabad: "Baitullah Mehsud is the root cause of all evils."
He has been accused of involvement in the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto - an accusation he denies.
He is also believed to be linked to attacks over the border in Afghanistan.

England 153-8 beat India 150-5 by three runs

England kept alive their hopes of reaching the World Twenty20 semi-finals by eliminating holders India in a nail-biting Super Eights encounter.
Kevin Pietersen top-scored with a battling 46 off 27 balls as he and Ravi Bopara put on 71 for the second wicket and helped their side post 153-8.
England then shone in the field as Graeme Swann (2-28) and Ryan Sidebottom (2-31) put their side on course to win.
India were restricted to 150-5 as the hosts claimed a three-run victory.
The result puts England level on points with West Indies in Group E, while it means South Africa have now qualified for the semi-finals.
England play the West Indies at The Oval on Monday and the winner of that game will join the Proteas in qualifying for the last four.
India face South Africa at Trent Bridge on Tuesday but they will be playing for pride alone after seeing their title defence crumble at an electric Lord's, where their supporters were in the majority and the atmosphere was sensational.

Crowds join Ahmadinejad victory rally

Tens of thousands of people have joined a rally in central Tehran to celebrate the re-election of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Crowds thronged the main thoroughfare, Vali Asr street, waving Iranian flags and chanting in jubilation.
The president's closest opponent in the election, Mir-Hossein Mousavi, has lodged an official appeal against the result amid continuing angry protests.
Mr Ahmadinejad denied any vote-fixing, saying the result was "very accurate".