LOS ANGELES (AP):

A law-enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation into Michael Jackson's death says the pop star's personal doctor administered the powerful drug that authorities believe killed him.

Jackson regularly received the anaesthetic propofol to go to sleep. The official, who requested anonymity because the probe is ongoing, told The Associated Press yesterday that Dr Conrad Murray gave Jackson the drug the last night of his life.

Murray was with Jackson when he died June 25 and has been identified in court papers as the subject of a manslaughter investigation.

Murray's lawyer has said the doctor did not prescribe or administer anything that should have killed Jackson.

Zelaya allies losing steam

LAS MANOS, Nicaragua (AP):

Encamped in the mountains near Honduras, ousted President Manuel Zelaya struggled yesterday to galvanise poor farmers, teachers and street activists into a movement strong enough to overcome his powerful foes and sweep him back into office.

Military checkpoints have kept all but a few hundred supporters from reaching the Nicaraguan town of Ocotal, where Zelaya parked his government-in-exile last week in a bid to keep up the pressure on Honduras' coup-installed leaders. Dozens of people camping behind the military blockades gave up yesterday and started trickling home.

Many of those who made it to Nicaragua wondered how long they could hold out, tired of sleeping on foam mattresses, forgoing showers and waiting for Zelaya to come up with strategy for his comeback. Zelaya has vowed to remain on the border for at least a week, but has not announced any concrete plans since his brief foray into Honduras on Friday.

Aung San Suu Kyi honoured

DUBLIN (AP):

Myanmar's long-detained democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is receiving Amnesty International's highest honour, U2's Bono publicly announced yesterday before 80,000 cheering fans.

The human-rights watchdog earlier said it hoped the Ambassador of Conscience Award would help protect her as she faces a potential prison sentence.

Amnesty Inter-national leaders said the award was timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Suu Kyi's initial arrest on July 20, 1989, as she led a campaign to oust Myanmar's military dictators.

Suu Kyi's opposition party, the National League for Democracy, won national elections in 1990 but the military refused to relinquish power. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 but has been under house arrest for 14 of the past 20 years.

Suu Kyi, 64, is on trial for allegedly harbouring an American who swam out to her residence uninvited.