NASA NASA succeeds in putting the first of two Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory satellites in orbit around the moon.
Kim Jong-un Kim Jong-un is named as the Supreme Commander of North Korea's armed forces following the death of his father Kim Jong-Il.
President of the United States United States President Barack Obama signs the National Defense Authorization Act into law allowing the indefinite imprisonment of any United States citizen under suspect of terrorism without need of trial.
The President of the United States Barack Obama signs a law providing for new sanctions against Iran.
Hollywood In Hollywood, a string of 35 fires burned within 5 hours that caused at least $350,000 in damage.
Cyclone Thane The death toll from Cyclone Thane in southern India rises to at least 33 with 21 people dead in Cuddalore.
Firecracker More than 200 people are injured by illegally huge firecrackers and celebratory gunfire in the Philippines.
Chilean Authorities in Chile close the Torres del Paine National Park, amid an ongoing forest fire in Patagonia.
Lou Nuer Six thousand people from the Lou Nuer tribe in South Sudan attack the town of Pibor as a result of a dispute over cattle rustling.
Nigerian president The President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan declares a state of emergency in the states of Borno, Yobe, Niger and Plateau due to violence by the Islamist sect Boko Haram.
Sudanese President The President of Sudan Omar Hassan al-Bashir urges members of the Darfur based Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to seek peace following the recent death of rebel leader Ibrahim Khalil.
Ethiopia Ethiopian forces capture the central Somali town of Beledweyne from al-Shabaab Islamist militants.
Kurdistan Workers' Party Two members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party die in a battle with Turkish police in the city of Diyarbakir.
2011 Syrian uprising 2011 Syrian uprising: An Arab League observer witnesses snipers in the Syrian city of Deraa and calls for their immediate removal.