The investigation into the deaths of 19 firefighters in an Arizona wildfire finds inadequate communication contributed to the disaster.

Former Chilean general and director of intelligence during Pinochet's rule Odlanier Mena kills himself while on weekend release from prison.

US Senate Majority leader Harry Reid warns his Democratic-led chamber will reject a House Republican bill which aims to avert a government shutdown.

Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos rejects US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson's offer to mediate to seek a hostage release from Farc rebels.

Indian PM Manmohan Singh warns Pakistan to stop being "the epicentre of terrorism", ahead of his talks with Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif.

Austrians are voting in a general election, with the ruling two-party "grand coalition" predicted to secure another five-year term.

Italy's president prepares to take the lead in the political crisis caused by the resignation of ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's ministers from the coalition government.

The rescue operation at a collapsed four-storey building in the Indian city of Mumbai is called off, with the final death toll put at 60.