SYDNEY, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Australia's embattled prime minister Monday denied that a television network's coverage of an election debate was cut because a live graph showed he was losing to his opponent.

The charge of censorship threatened to overshadow Sunday night's debate between conservative premier John Howard and centre-left Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd on issues such as Iraq and the economy.

SYDNEY, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Australia's opposition leader beat the prime minister in an election debate marred by controversy when a national television network's coverage was deliberately cut, media said Monday.

Labor Party chief Kevin Rudd outpointed John Howard in a hard-fought face-off on issues including the economy, Iraq and workplace laws ahead of elections on November 24, newspaper pundits and analysts said.

MIAMI, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Republican presidential candidates fought Sunday for the mantle of most conservative politician in the White House race, battling in another debate for the key support of the party's right wing.

Support of social conservatives is critical to winning a Republican presidential nomination and energizing the party's political base before the November 2008 general election, political experts say.

SYDNEY, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard on Sunday engaged in a testy debate with his Labor Party opponent Kevin Rudd on Iraq and climate change in their only face-off before the November 24 election.

After more than 11 years in office, Howard is fighting for political survival against the centre-left Rudd, who has taken a commanding lead against the conservative incumbent in opinion polls.

SYDNEY, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Australian Prime Minister John Howard Sunday prepared to face his strongest opponent in 11 years in office amid criticism of his decision to hold only one debate ahead of the November 24 poll.

Howard is fighting for political survival against the centre-left Labor Party's Kevin Rudd who has taken a commanding lead against the conservative incumbent in opinion polls.

FREETOWN, Aug 7, 2007 (AFP) - Six of the seven presidential candidates in Sierra Leone weekend elections took part in the first ever debate in the country on Tuesday night.

Hundreds of their compatriots watched the session held at a Freetown hotel and broadcast on national television and radio.

The country's vice president and ruling Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) candidate Solomon Berewa stayed away from the debate.

JOHANNESBURG, July 30, 2007 (AFP) - South Africa's ruling ANC was accused of muzzling its critics Monday after cutting the time alloted to the 12 opposition parties in debates on Johannseburg council to a combined total of four minutes.

'We see this as the ANC's way to try and silence the opposition,' said Oscar Maseko, an Inkatha Freedom Party representative, who will only be allowed to speak for four seconds during future debates in the country's biggest council.