BBC News with Marion Marshall
The military officer presiding over the case against an American soldier accused of passing secret information to the Wikileaks website has refused a defence request that he stand aside. Lawyers representing the soldier, Bradley Manning, claimed that the officer was biased and had prevented them from calling most of their defence witnesses. Here's Kim Ghattas.
Lieutenant Colonel Paul Almanza looked into the defence team's request that he step down as presiding officer. He consulted with his legal adviser, and then he decided that he could rule impartially. The hearing will now continue. It could take several days before a determination is made about whether the case should go to a full court-martial. Faced with charges of aiding the enemy and leaking classified information, 24-year-old Private Manning could face life in prison, but the government has said it will not seek the death penalty.
The Supreme Court in the Democratic Republic of Congo has confirmed Joseph Kabila as the winner of the disputed presidential election last month. The court rejected an opposition bid to have the vote annulled. Mr Kabila rejected the conclusion of the US-based Carter Center, which monitored the poll and said the results lacked credibility. Thomas Hubert reports.
It took the Supreme Court less than one hour on Friday night to sign off the election results. The judges confirmed President Joseph Kabila's re-election with 49% of the vote. He beat Etienne Tshisekedi, who polled 32%, and Vital Kamerhe with 8%. Mr Kamerhe challenged the result last Monday after local and international observers highlighted widespread irregularities, but the court found that he had failed to produce any evidence to back up his claims.