A woman thought to be the world's oldest person has died in Brazil just a few weeks shy of her 115th birthday.

The Greek government wins a critical vote of confidence in parliament as it struggles to win support for extra austerity measures and avoid a sovereign default.

Mexican officials say they have arrested the alleged leader of the La Familia drugs cartel, one of the top drug gangs in the country.

Sales of previously occupied US homes fell by 15% in May from the previous year, an indication the economic recovery remains weak, analysts say.

Flights are gradually resuming from airports in southern Australia after two days of cancellations caused by an ash cloud from a Chilean volcano.

Asian shares open higher on optimism that Greece will not default on debts after the government won a crucial vote.

The president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, announces she will run for re-election in the presidential election in October 2011.

The US Senate unanimously approves the nomination of CIA chief Leon Panetta to succeed Robert Gates as US defence secretary.