Mr Kostunica says the Hague court is a political affair, biased against Serbs, and of dubious legitimacy.

ECONOMIST: Milosevic��s trial

The bidding process is a notoriously political affair with unions bartering for votes, often leading to matches being staged in several countries, as happened in France 2007, when games were also played in Edinburgh and Cardiff.

BBC: England and Wales ponder Cup bid

Weiner's announcement follows another high-profile story of rapid political redemption: former Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, whose extramarital affair derailed his political career in 2009, returned to Congress last week.

NPR: Weiner Launches Comeback Bid To Become NYC Mayor