Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and Segolene Royal (R) meet in a television studio before their debate in Paris. Photo / Reuters
US House fails to overturn Bush veto of Iraq bill
Democrats failed to override President George W. Bush's veto of Iraq war funding legislation that would force a troop pullout timetable, prompting the start of tense negotiations on a compromise.
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Royal forces Sarkozy onto defensive in TV debate
French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal forced her rightist rival Nicolas Sarkozy onto the defensive during a fiery TV debate, attacking his record in office and accusing him of political immorality.
Royal set the tone from the outset of the 160-minute duel, charging that the outgoing conservative government in which Sarkozy served as both interior and finance minister, had failed to tackle unemployment, cut debt or reduce street crime.
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Australia water supplies below 30 per cent
Melbourne's dwindling water reserves have dropped below 30 per cent of capacity for the first time in almost 40 years.
Melbourne's nine reservoirs are holding just 29.9 per cent of capacity, the lowest level since May 29, 1968, when Victoria was recovering from the 1967-68 drought, News Limited newspapers reported.
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