Ghana's election campaign could be tarnished by money from West African drug trafficking, an official says.

Three lawyers representing the ousted former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra are jailed over an attempt to bribe judges.

The head of the CBI says the system designed to ensure financial stability has tarnished the UK's reputation.

Kevin Rudd's strip club visit reveals a new facet to a bookish lawmaker but will it harm his poll chances, asks the BBC's Nick Bryant.

A former Capital of Culture events director says Liverpool's image will not be tarnished if the Mathew Street festival is cancelled.

China promises to take action to improve its food and drug safety after a series of scandals and scares that have tarnished its reputation at home and abroad.

Middlesex's Twenty20 game against Hampshire is marred when stones are thrown at the away coach and valuables stolen from the home dressing-room at Southgate.

Manager Stephen Kenny sees a good night for Dunfermline tarnished by a late red card for Scott Wilson.

Tarnished baseball great Pete Rose admits he bet on the Cincinnati Reds "every night" while managing the team.

A series of gaffes by French presidential candidate Segolene Royal undermine her campaign, says the BBC's Clive Myrie.

Ronnie O'Sullivan could be in more hot water after refusing to talk to the media following his Masters win over Ali Carter.

Daredevil Evel Knievel sues rap star Kanye West over a music video which he claims tarnishes his image.

American 400m runner Sanya Richards says Justin Gatlin's positive drugs test has tarnished the sport in the USA.

Colin Montgomerie leads the Johnnie Walker Championship by two shots at the halfway stage despite missing a birdie putt at the 18th.

Poland and Romania will be deeply tarnished if it is proved they housed secret CIA jails, but other EU states also stand to lose face.

Many Kurds are now criticising the performance of their political parties and local administrations, ahead of Iraq's elections.

Controversy over America's treatment of captured terror suspects is an open wound that refuses to heal, writes the BBC's Matthew Davis.

Bank of Italy officials give renewed backing to governor Antonio Fazio despite high-level calls for him to quit.

Senegal's former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck is charged with undermining state security in a case which raises many questions about the independence of the judiciary in what is seen as one of Africa's model democracies.

Lions coach Sir Clive Woodward says the win against Bay of Plenty was tarnished by injury to Lawrence Dallaglio.