Parliament in mainly Roman Catholic Malta passes a historic law legalising divorce which now only requires the signature of the president.

A man who pleaded guilty to shooting two soldiers outside a military recruiting facility in Arkansas is handed a life sentence.

Canada's official opposition leader Jack Layton steps down temporarily to focus on his battle against cancer.

Four former Guatemalan soldiers are standing trial for the massacre of more than 220 people during the country's civil war.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez returns home after a first round of treatment for cancer in Cuba.

US President Barack Obama blames conservative House Republicans for the lack of a deal to avoid an imminent default on US national debt.

Scientists examining the exhumed remains of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar say they are unable to determine the cause of his death.

South Korea's ambitions to enter the Indian energy market receive a big boost as the two countries sign a nuclear deal.