Two days before the U.S. midterm elections, a new poll released on Sunday found that the lead enjoyed by Democrats over Republicans narrowed to 47-43 percent among likely voters, down from 50-39 percent two weeks ago.

Less than two days ahead of Tuesday's elections, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger led his rival Phil Angelides by a big margin, local media reported on Sunday.

Myanmar has agreed with Sri Lanka to establish direct air and sea links to effectively boost their bilateral trade ties, the local weekly Myanmar Times reported Monday.

South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun said Monday that the South Korean government will continue inter- Korean cooperation with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Voters in Tajikistan headed to the polls on Monday in the Central Asian nation's presidential election, in which incumbent President Emomali Rakhmonov is running against four other candidates for the country's top job.

The Portugal branch of human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) held a demonstration on Sunday to protest against the death sentence passed on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Portugual's President Anibal Cavaco Silva on Sunday asked United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan to brief his successor on the need for the world body to continue its support for East Timor.

Portugual's President Anibal Cavaco Silva said here on Sunday that Portugal could be a key link between Latin American nations and Europe.

More than 7,000 people marched on Sunday in southern Mexican state of Oaxaca to protest against Federal Preventative Police (PFP) and demand Oaxaca governor Ulises Ruiz resign for using "excessive force" in handling protests.

Leaders of the 22-member Ibero-American Nations Organization ended a summit meeting here on Sunday with calls for greater access to art for the bloc's citizens, protection of minority cultures and fight against intolerance. The calls were contained in a declaration signed at the end of the 16th Ibero-American Summit held in the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo.