Labour by-election 'lost weekend'
Labour opponents in the Glasgow East by-election pour scorn on the party's & #34;lost weekend & #34; after it failed to select a candidate.

Shadow scheme for new politicians
Political hopefuls from black and ethnic minorities have spent the last six months shadowing assembly members.

In full: Glasgow East candidates
A list of candidates who have declared so far that they will contest the Glasgow East by-election.

Mbeki holds Harare crisis talks
South Africa's Thabo Mbeki holds talks in Zimbabwe with President Mugabe and leaders of a breakaway opposition faction.

Government accused over bonuses
The government is criticised by the Tories after it was revealed civil servants banked more than £128m in bonuses.

Labour MSP joins by-election race
Labour MSP Margaret Curran says she will stand as a candidate for the Glasgow East by-election after the frontrunner drops out.

US candidates practise their U-turns
The BBC's Max Deveson asks what recent policy U-turns by the US presidential candidates can tell us about the state of the race.

Colombia's continuing hostage pain
The spectacular rescue of 15 hostages in Colombia throws into stark relief the plight of the country's other kidnap victims, writes Henry Mance.

Tories in 'disarray' over Lewis
The Conservatives are in & #34;disarray & #34; after the resignation of London deputy mayor Ray Lewis, Labour says.

Lebanon 'set to announce cabinet'
Lebanon is reported to be on the verge of announcing a new government, following months of political deadlock.

Labour man quits by-election race
Labour delays selection of a candidate for the Glasgow East by-election after the leading contender failed to turn up.

Uncertain future for Ray Lewis
The former London deputy mayor for young people, Ray Lewis, faces a difficult task to clear his name from numerous allegations.

Q & A: Turkey's ruling party on trial
The BBC's Pam O'Toole explores the case to ban Turkey's ruling AKP party as officials defend themselves of charges of turning the country into an Islamic state by stealth.

Labour donors reluctant to pay up
Labour is facing a cash crisis - but one donor has not deserted it, writes Iain Watson.

Obituary: Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms was one of the most one most vocal and powerful conservatives in the US Congress.

Watchdog set to probe MP expenses
The committee on standards in public life is considering an inquiry into MPs' expenses, the BBC understands.

Colombia's future: Readers' views
Days after Ingrid Betancourt's dramatic rescue at the hands of Farc rebels, readers in Colombia tell us what they think will happen next.

Martha Kearney's week
Chancellor Alistair Darling probably needs a break - maybe wombat husbandry is the answer...

Tories launch by-election drive
The Conservatives launch their campaign for the Glasgow East by-election on 24 July.

India left gives nuclear deadline
Communist allies of India's government give it a Monday deadline over the controversial US nuclear deal.