Benedict XVI Pope Benedict XVI appoints a new head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, one of the Vatican’s three top tribunals. Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, who is serving as secretary for the Congregation for Bishops, becomes the new Penitentiary Major. He succeeds Cardinal Fortunato Baldelli, who is retiring at the age of 76.
Portia Simpson Miller Portia Simpson Miller is sworn in for the second time as the Prime Minister of Jamaica.
US President The President of the United States Barack Obama announces a new defense strategy, cutting spending dramatically.
Israeli Prime Minister The former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert is charged with taking bribes in a property scandal.
William Hague William Hague, the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commences a two day tour of Myanmar.
Wildfire At least six firefighters die fighting wildfires in southern Chile with two badly burnt and one missing.
Landslide At least 25 people die with dozens missing as a result of a landslide at a gold mining site in the Philippines Compostela Valley Province.
Pakistan Taliban The Pakistan Taliban claims to have killed 15 security force members it kidnapped last month.
Kidnapped Kidnapped Australian man Warren Rodwell states that his Filipino captors have asked $2 million in ransom.
Iraqi insurgency Iraqi insurgency: A series of explosions occur in mainly Shia Muslim neighbourhoods of Baghdad and in the city of Nasiriyah, with at least 73 killed and 149 wounded.
Syrian uprising Qatar's prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani says the Arab League monitors have made "mistakes" in Syria.