Reuters - Zimbabwe's neighbors on Wednesday urged the postponement of Friday's presidential election, saying the re-election of President Robert Mugabe could lack legitimacy in the current violent climate.

AFP - Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe defied global criticism on Tuesday by vowing to press on with a presidential run-off vote marred by deadly violence, even as his rival remained holed up in an embassy.

AP - President Robert Mugabe refused Tuesday to give into pressure from Africa and the West, saying the world can "shout as loud as they like" but he would not cancel this week's runoff election even though his opponent quit the race.

Reuters - Southern African leaders will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss Zimbabwe's crisis, but the region's designated mediator, South African President Thabo Mbeki, will not attend, officials said.

AFP - A majority of people in 14 countries favor a total ban on torture, but in four others they find the practice acceptable when dealing with terrorists, according to the results from a survey which has been released at the United Nations.

AP - The United Nations said Wednesday that a lack of resources and political will are hampering efforts to halt the flow of hazardous waste from rich countries to the world's poorest nations.

Reuters - Britain warned Iran on Wednesday it will suffer growing economic and political isolation if it makes the "wrong choice" and fails to comply with United Nations resolutions on curbing its nuclear program.

AFP - Zimbabwe's government defied global criticism on Tuesday by vowing to push ahead with a presidential run-off election this week even as the opposition leader remained holed up in the Dutch embassy.

Reuters - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday defied mounting pressure from both inside and outside Africa to call off Friday's presidential election, saying he had a legal obligation to go ahead.

AP - Outraged at the turmoil in Zimbabwe, the U.N. Security Council declared that a fair presidential vote is impossible because of a "campaign of violence" being waged by President Robert Mugabe's government.

AFP - Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai remained holed up in the Dutch embassy in Harare Tuesday after pulling out of a run-off election he said should be declared "null and void" due to violence, a stance backed by the UN Security Council.