1.   Lebed certainly seems to filled a leadership vacuum in the Kremlin as the country braces for the runoff election for president on Wednesday.

2.   The incident highlights the rising tensions here as the country braces for its most hotly contested presidential election.

3.   The next few years will be tough for all Korean companies as the country braces for a possible recession.

4.   Water rationing is in force in Syria as the country braces for its fifth-year of drought.