President Obama instructs the US government to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba, in an effort to support civil society on the communist-run island.

Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor's right leg, which was infected with gangrene, is amputated in life-saving surgery her doctors have deemed a success.

Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali flees to Saudi Arabia with his family, after widespread protests force him from office.

A group of foreign diplomats is expected to begin a two-day tour of some of Iran's nuclear sites, reports the BBC's James Reynolds.

France's far-right National Front chooses Marine Le Pen, daughter of veteran leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, as its new head, party sources say.

Security is stepped up after looting in the Tunisian capital followed the ousting of President Ben Ali by spiralling street protests.

Venezuela orders a TV channel to stop showing a Colombian soap opera featuring a dog named Little Hugo, saying it is insulting to the country.

The director of film drama Blue Valentine says the recent battle over its certificate in the US has helped open a debate over sex and violence in cinema.