Singapore holds a keenly-watched by-election to fill a parliamentary seat vacated after an opposition MP was expelled by his party in February.

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Singapore in keenly-watched poll

Senior Conservative sources say the party’s MPs will be allowed a free vote on legalising marriage for same-sex couples.

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Free gay marriage vote for Tories

With Ron Paul having lost the nomination, his dedicated supporters are swarming lightly guarded Republican redoubts in an attempt to infiltrate the top echelons of the party.

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After Paul Falters, Backers Push Agenda in Party and Other Races

Four people are arrested in a protest by the British National Party in Rochdale over a child sex grooming case.

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Arrests at BNP sex gang protest

Communist Party veterans write to China’s president to urge him to sack security chief Zhou Yongkang for supporting disgraced politician Bo Xilai.

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China veterans urge Zhou sacking

Alexis Tsipras, the leader of the party Syriza, hopes to ride a tide of anti-austerity sentiment to break from four decades of ossified two-party government in Greece.

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In Greece, Leftist Party, Syriza, Upends Politics

As the run-up to the general election intensifies, same-sex marriage offers the parties one of their sharpest contrasts. But in a reversal of strategy from eight years ago, when President George W. Bush’s reelection team seized on the issue to energize his party’s social conservative base and win over some swing voters opposed to gay marriage, the Republicans of 2012 are so far treating the issue gingerly. Read full article > >

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GOP treads lightly on gay marriage issue

5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. There's no time for a siesta; Saturday is the big fiesta! Kick off your Cinco de Mayo in style with Chef Josh Gentry of the Little Donkey restaurant in Homewood, Alabama. Five Dishes and Cocktails You Need to Have at Your Fiesta: Josh Gentry 1. Stock up “First, having a six-pack of Tecate and key limes to go with it is vital to getting geared up for the party! This doesn’t need to be viewed as your beverage for the day, it’s really just hydration. The key limes are essential because they are so much more tart and refreshing than Persian limes. Make sure the beer stays on ice because when the craving for a hot tamale hits, an ice-cold beer with a shot of lime is the perfect refresher. Or, it may just end up being a chaser for some good tequila later. While you’re getting your bar in order for the party, make sure the margaritas are also ready for high consumption. The main thing about the margarita is keeping your eye on three simple ingredients : great tequila, fresh lime juice and orange. I like to get the orange flavor from Agavero, an agave liqueur that has the fragrance of bottled orange blossoms. Bottom line, margaritas are best in their classic preparation, so don’t mess with it because everyone at the party will slam at least two. If you do want a tequila-based drink that is outside the norm of a classic margarita, try a paloma. Good tequila, fresh lime juice and some grapefruit soda is all you need – and the result is completely refrescante !” 2. Cool down “Sometimes it’s easy to forget when you’re having an epic party, but there are other ways to chill out than ice-cold beer and tequila. Popsicles are totally on the sweet side of Mexican street food and are also super refreshing. They are also a super cool way to enjoy a mix and match of fun flavors. Jalapeño and watermelon or habanero and raspberry are a couple of ways to bring sweet and spicy flavors together in a fun way. It’s also really easy to make popsicles at home for a party.” 3. Lend me your ears “When planning your menu, think street food. One of the quintessential foods you’ll find on the street in Mexico is elote: Corn on the cob that has been rubbed with mayonnaise , seasoned with a chili powder and covered in grated cotija cheese. It is one of the great treats of Mexico and a perfect snack during the cerveza- and tequila-charged festivities.” 4. Be the top dog “Hot Dogs! Going into the Mexican markets and getting a Cuban-style torta with sliced hot dogs on it is kind of a cool way to enjoy hot dogs. And here in America, hot dogs are obviously staples of our grilling feasts and holiday celebrations. Sear a hot dog in a cast iron pan over the fire and reinvent an American classic with some smoked habanero sauce, a touch of mayo, ancho chili powder and chopped tomatoes piled up in a soft bun. It is a great coming together of two fine food cultures.” 5. Good golly, hot tamale! “Tamales, probably more than any other Mexican staple, signify a party or a special occasion. There are so many ways to enjoy tamales . Mexicans enjoy them with sweet and savory fillings alike. Here in the South, we really relate to them because the combination of cornbread (or masa) and slow-cooked meats speaks to folks from all walks of life. Even when it’s not Cinco de Mayo, a platter full of tamales and a cooler full of beer becomes an immediate gathering place. It’s almost a mental trigger to slow down, relax and enjoy letting time pass. If that’s not what a party like Cinco de Mayo is all about, then I don’t know what is. Or, there's always queso fundido. Please be careful as it may fulfill your caloric needs for a week, but it’s simple and completely worth the effort.” Queso Fundido Ingredients 8 oz poblano chiles, roasted 8 oz white onion, roasted 2 cloves garlic, roasted 1 tsp Mexican oregano 1 tsp Kosher salt 1 lb smoked chorizo, chopped 1 lb semi-hard cheese, like cotija, fontina or asiago 1 lb soft cheese, like mozzarella or Oaxaca Cooking Directions Roast the poblanos by placing directly on the grill until charred. Let the peppers steam in a bowl covered with plastic to help the skin release itself from the goodness. Peel them and remove the stems and seeds. Roast the onions by nestling them down in the coals on the same grill. This should take 20-30 minutes and the outside will be black or charred, but the inside will be very moist. Dry roast the garlic on the grill until it is scorched and a deep rich brown color on the side against the fire. The center should still be its natural color, though. When both vegetables are roasted and cool enough to touch, peel them into pieces about the size of a silver dollar. Place the pieces of onion and poblano in a bowl and toss with the oregano, garlic and salt. In a ceramic, glass or ceramic baking dish, place the chorizo evenly across the bottom of the dish. Then, cover the sausage with the poblano/onion mixture and spread the cheese on top. Place the dish in an oven on broil for approximately 6 minutes or until the top has spots of dark brown. This a simple dish and details can be altered to suit you and your guests needs. You can chop the vegetables finer if you like or do in strips. You can mix the cheeses or layer them. Either way you MUST serve these with fresh homemade tortillas ! Nothing else highlights a fresh warm tortilla like fundido melting all down your arm! Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.

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5@5 – Cinco de Mayo menu essentials

Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is sworn in as a member of Burma’s parliament, a month after her party’s sweeping victory in by-elections.

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Suu Kyi enters Burma parliament

In his first public statement since the arrest of his mother on suspicion of murder and the ouster of his father from the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, Harvard University student Bo Guagua said he is “deeply concerned about the events surrounding my family” and defended his own academic performance and lifestyle against allegations of debauchery and sloth. Read full article > >

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Bo Guagua defends lifestyle, says he’s concerned about Bo Xilai scandal

In the short term, the recovery looks shaky. In the long term, the economy looks shaky — so shaky that it may be many years before a president of either party or any ideology can count on winning a second term. Read full article > >

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Shaky economic prospects threaten both parties

Firebrand youth leader Julius Malema has lost his appeal against expulsion from South Africa’s ruling ANC, the party says.

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ANC upholds Malema’s expulsion

On the centennial birthday of Fenway Park, a day filled with ceremony and recollection, the Yankees hit five home runs to crash the party and beat the Red Sox.

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Yankees 6, Red Sox 2: Yankees Spoil Fenway’s 100th Birthday

SNP leader Alex Salmond is to launch his party’s council election drive ahead of the vote on 3 May.

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SNP launching council campaign

Tea Party favorite lost narrowly in 2010.

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GOP Chooses Kelly for Giffords’s Seat