Release of suspects in Hariri killings could shift balance of power in Lebanon

BEIRUT — A general freed after nearly four years in jail in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri said Thursday his release by a U.N.-backed tribunal discredited Lebanon’s judiciary and could shift the country’s fragile political balance.

Lebanon begins releasing generals held in killing of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri

BEIRUT — Authorities in Lebanon have begun releasing four generals held for four years on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri after an international judge ordered them released.

Final South African vote gives ANC win, but not 2/3 majority in parliament

PRETORIA, South Africa — The leader of South Africa’s long-dominant ANC was treated like a president-elect Saturday after his party swept parliamentary elections — though not with the two-thirds majority it won easily in the last vote.

Crisis-hit Icelanders voting for new Parliament; expected to turn left after economic collapse

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Icelanders voted Saturday in an early parliamentary election expected to see them turn their backs on the lawmakers who were in charge when the tiny Nordic nation’s financial system collapsed last year.

Crisis-hit Icelanders voting for new Parliament; expected to turn left after economic collapse

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Icelanders voted Saturday in an early parliamentary election expected to see them turn their backs on the lawmakers who were in charge when the tiny Nordic nation’s financial system collapsed last year.

Facts and Figures on Iceland’s first election since economic crisis took hold

Facts and figures on Saturday’s Icelandic parliamentary elections, called after the former government collapsed in January.

ANC’s opposition wins key S. African province because of hostility from mixed-race voters

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa’s ruling African National Congress neared its cherished two-thirds majority nationwide but lost power in the country’s richest province Friday because of hostility from mixed-race voters.

Hezbollah looks for election win that could shake up Lebanon

BEIRUT — With quiet campaigning and moderate talk, Hezbollah is building its strength for Lebanon’s June 7 parliament elections — and the militant Shiite Muslim group and its allies stand a good chance of winning.

A look at Iceland as it holds parliamentary elections

A look at Iceland, which holds parliamentary elections Saturday:

Crisis-hit Icelanders expected to turn to left-wing parties in weekend election

REYKJAVIK, Iceland — Icelanders vote in an early parliamentary election Saturday and are expected to turn their backs on the lawmakers who were in charge when the tiny Nordic nation’s financial system collapsed last year.

Jacob Zuma’s supporters celebrate as South Africa’s ruling party sees huge election lead

PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africa’s long-dominant governing party had a commanding lead across the country Friday as vote counting neared completion, closing in on its goal of winning at least a two-thirds majority of parliament.

Land mine blast kills 4 police, 1 polling official during India’s elections

PATNA, India — Suspected communist rebels blew up a jeep carrying polling officials in eastern India, killing five people as part of a wave of violence that has marred India’s elections, officials said Friday.

Land mine blast kills 5 polling officials during 2nd phase of India’s elections, police say

PATNA, India — Suspected communist rebels blew up a jeep carrying polling officials in eastern India, killing five people in violence that marred voting in India’s parliamentary elections, police said Friday.

Jacob Zuma’s supporters celebrate as South Africa’s ruling party leads in elections

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s governing party set off fireworks and popped fizzy bottles of champagne Thursday as ballots were counted in the country’s latest election. ANC chief Jacob Zuma said he was only thanking campaign workers — but the celebration left little doubt about his ascension to the presidency.

Jacob Zuma’s supporters celebrate as South African governing party leads in elections

PRETORIA, South Africa — South Africa’s long-dominant governing party was racing against itself Friday, leaving its opponents far behind and closing in on its goal of doing as well or better than in the last elections. The African National Congress swept the first post-apartheid election in 1994 and the two following that. In 2004, it took 69.69 percent of the parliamentary vote. If the ANC fails to at least match that this year, it will be seen as a message from voters that they want to see some limits on the party.

Who’s the first lady? South Africa’s next president is a polygamist

KWANXAMALALA, South Africa — There’s little question who will lead South Africa after Wednesday’s national election. The real mystery lies in who will be the country’s first lady.

South Africa holds elections, Jacob Zuma and ruling African National Congress expect huge win

JOHANNESBURG — Lines of South African voters snaked around dusty fields, up misty hills and around gritty urban neighborhoods Wednesday, all for an election expected to propel Jacob Zuma to power despite sex and corruption scandals that would have buried a less wily populist.

South Africa holds elections, Jacob Zuma and ruling African National Congress expect huge win

JOHANNESBURG — Voters lined up before sunrise Wednesday in an election that has generated an excitement not seen since South Africa’s first multiracial vote in 1994, and that was expected to propel Jacob Zuma to the presidency after he survived corruption and sex scandals.

Zuma looks ahead as his party expects overwhelming victory in South Africa election

JOHANNESBURG — The man widely expected to be South Africa’s next president is looking beyond Wednesday’s parliamentary elections, eager to set up a new government that he says will be responsive to the black majority’s hopes for better lives.

Zuma looks ahead as his party expects overwhelming victory in South Africa election

JOHANNESBURG — The man widely expected to be South Africa’s next president is looking beyond Wednesday’s parliamentary elections, eager to set up a new government that he says will be responsive to the black majority’s hopes for better lives.