The Observer: Main section

Benazir's husband is voted in, but army hostility and militant violence could threaten hopes for stability

Zimbabwe army and police chiefs want immunity from prosecution before backing regime change

US daytime TV star refuses to have Republican vice-presidential candidate as a guest on her show

The 2008 Paralympics got underway in Beijing with a dazzling opening ceremony in the Bird's Nest stadium

Egyptians shocked as prosecutors breach immunity of rich elite to arrest Mubarak ally

Africa's last monarch celebrates with lavish 40th, also the percentage of unemployed in the country

US to request extradition for one of world's most wanted drug lords arrested in five-star Madrid hotel

War-ravaged country's main opposition has called for the entire vote to be re-run

In a country with 11 million abandoned children, the fate of those kidnapped to order goes unnoticed. Gethin Chamberlain reports

Group of Italian policemen plan to set up a new gay rights organisation to combat discrimination

With the purchase of Manchester City, Abu Dhabi signals its intent to be the new global financial powerhouse