As a citizen of and believer in democracy, I applaud the efforts of Mir Hossein Mousavi. His efforts are similar to what former vice-president Al Gore should have done during the controversy surrounding the United States presidential election of 2000. Gore should have continued to protest regardless of the political risks until all the votes were counted in Florida. Instead, former president George W. Bush was appointed by the United States Supreme Court to effectively overturn the will of the people and look at what has happened to the United States in the last eight years.

Wimbledon is one of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, and is the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament in the world. Held at the All England Club in the London suburb of Wimbledon since 1877, the tournament has also become known for its infamous rain delays. Wimbledon participants and viewers have grown to expect unpredictable weather, ranging from torrential downpours to on-again-off-again trickles. But beginning this year, the rain will no longer be a factor in game play.

When Wimbledon kicks off Monday, spectators will find a new waterproof feature on the Centre Court - a translucent retractable roof. Dedicated last month in front of crowd of nearly 15,000, many believe it was a long time coming. Others are sad to see the end of an era and a long-standing tradition. The outer courts will still be open to the elements, but it won't be the same with Centre Court fully protected.

Prior to the roof, grass-protecting tarpaulins needed to be deployed by teams of groundsmen at the slightest hint of rain, and then quickly removed when the rain ended. With the unpredictable nature of the rain in England, this start-stop process could go on and on and on.

According to the Swiss pharmaceuticals company Novartis AG, it has successfully produced the first batch of swine flu vaccine weeks ahead of expectations. The vaccine is normally grown in eggs, but this time was made in cells.

According to the World Health Organization, which delcared the H1N1 virus a pandemic last week, drugmakers will most likely have vaccines approved and ready for sale after September.

The first batch of Novartis' vaccine will be used for pre-clinical evaluation and testing, and is being considered for clinical trials.

The vaccine was made at a Novartis plant in Marburg, Germany, where the company says it could potentially produce millions of doses of vaccine a week. A second plant is being built in Holly Springs, NC.

Novartis said that more than 30 governments have so far requested vaccine supplies. The US alone placed a $289 million order in May.

Palestinian security officials in Gaza revealed on Tuesday that they thwarted an attack on former US President Jimmy Carter's convoy. Security said that they discovered two roadside bombs at the Erez border crossing, which was used by Carter's convoy to access the Gaza Strip.

Security officials added that a group affiliated with al-Qaida was behind the planned attack, and said that members of the Hamas security team were dispatched to defuse the bombs.

Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for Gaza security forces, denies that any explosives were found, and says that security arrangements for the trip went according to plan and without any breach.

On Friday, Iranian state media declared current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of their presidential election. However, his challenger, Mihossein Mousavi is now claiming irregularities and is claiming victory as well.

According to the head of the state election commission, Ahmadinejad was leading Mousavi by 69 percent to 28 percent with just 19 percent of ballots counted.

Attempting to pre-empt any official announcements, Mousavi had earlier called a news conference during which he claimed that there had been irregularities, including a shortage of ballot papers. He declared:

"I am the definite winner of this presidential election."

Mousavi said that many people were not able to cast their ballots, even after voting had been extended by four hours.

At the news conference, Mousavi also said:

"(We) are waiting for the counting of votes to officially end and explanations of these irregularities be given. We expect to celebrate with people soon."

"We hope that authorities in charge do their work in this regard with the wisdom of the supreme leader this issue would end in a good way."

Under Iranian rules, if neither candidate can secure 50 percent of the votes, a run-off will be held on June 19 between the two front-runners.

Madonna, 50, who was barred from taking home four-year-old Malawian girl Chifundo "Mercy" James in April because she was not a resident of the country for the required 18 months, was told earlier today that she would be allowed to give the girl a new home. During a 90 minute hearing held earlier today at Malawi's Supreme Court, Madonna found out the good news.

Malawi's chief justice Lovemore Munlo said:

“In our view, Chifundo James would be better taken care of if she was adopted by foreign parents who will give her love and affection. We therefore grant the adoption.”

In making his decision, the judge said that he took into consideration Madonna's commitment to giving Malawian orphans an improved standard of life, and commented that her financial stability made her a good candidate for adoption.

Madonna is said to be very "excited" by the news. Her lawyer, Alan Chinula, said:

Madonna is very “excited” with the news. The pop superstar’s lawyer Alan Chinula said:

“It's the wee hours of morning in New York but she is excited at the news. As her lawyer I am happy this has settled this contentious issue.”