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An Irish ship, the MV Rachel Corrie, is sailing toward the Gaza Strip this morning, just days after nine people were killed when Israeli commandos raided a flotilla of ships heading for Gaza. The raid drew widespread condemnation from Israel's friends and foes. The MV Rachel Corrie is reportedly carrying aid for Palestinians in the form of school supplies, clothes and medicine – among other things. Israel has said the ship will not be allowed to dock.

Hamid Karzai was officially declared the president of Afghanistan by election officials this morning, after they scrapped a planned runoff vote scheduled for this Saturday. For the latest from the ground, we talk with the BBC's Andrew North, who is in Kabul following the latest news.

On Saturday, about 15 million Iraqis are expected to turn out to vote in that country’s provincial elections. The elections will test Iraq’s young democracy and may highlight not only divisions between Iraqi Sunni and Shiite Muslims, but also the differences and allegiances within those groups. The Takeaway talks to Andrew North, Baghdad Correspondent for the BBC, and Marina Ottoway, the Director of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, for a road map of the upcoming elections.

Concerts may be out of the question in war-torn Baghdad, but residents can still satisfy their music needs at local CD stores. We talk with BBC News' Baghdad correspondent, Andrew North, about the music -- and propaganda -- offered at these stores.