Political Turmoil, Presidential Election | featured news

Venezuela awoke to political turmoil Monday after Hugo Chavez's chosen successor, Nicolas Maduro, won the country’s presidential election by such a tight margin that his rival demanded a recount. The country, already shaken by the death from cancer of its dominating leader, faces uncertainty after Maduro secured 50.7 percent of the votes in Sunday's election, compared with 49.1 percent for Henrique Capriles -- a difference of just 235,000 ballots.

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak says he will stay in office and transfer all power only after September's presidential election.

After preliminary election results raised questions about cheating, protesters torched the headquarters of the government-backed presidential candidate.