Astronomers discover the smallest planet outside our solar system, and for the first time can be certain it is rocky rather than gaseous, Nasa's Kepler team reports.

The Organisation of American States will reportedly recommend that the governing party candidate in Haiti's presidential election should be dropped from the run-off vote.

Veteran Cuban opposition militant Luis Posada Carriles goes on trial in the US on charges of lying to immigration officials.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says announcement by Basque separatist group Eta of a permanent ceasefire does not go far enough.

Ivory Coast's ambassador to the UN says a unity government could be possible if Laurent Gbagbo drops his claim to the presidency.

The decapitated bodies of 15 men are found in the Mexican beach resort of Acapulco, the latest victims of the country's drug violence.

Police urge the evacuation of parts of Australia's third largest city - Brisbane - as floods which have killed at least nine approach the Queensland state capital.

California Governor Jerry Brown unveils the first spending plan of his administration, hoping to resolve a projected $25bn (£16bn) budget deficit.