The new director of the CIA, David Petraeus, says al-Qaeda's core operation has been weakened, but the United States faces a long-term threat from the network's supporters around the world. Mr Petraeus said that heavy casualties among the leadership of al-Qaeda had weakened the network in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"The CIA assesses that 10 years after the 9/11 attacks, the United States continues to face a serious threat from al-Qaeda and its worldwide network of affiliates and sympathisers. Of significance though, heavy losses to al-Qaeda's senior leadership appear to have created an important window of vulnerability for the core al-Qaeda organisation in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Exploiting that window will, however, require a sustained focused effort.
The International Criminal Court is being asked to investigate Pope Benedict and three senior cardinals over their alleged failure to prevent child sex abuse by Roman Catholic priests and punish those responsible. A complaint filed by a New York-based legal charity which represents some of the victims argues that rape and sexual violence constitute crimes against humanity. The court hasn't commented.
World News from the BBC
Algeria has passed wide-ranging reforms of the media, ending a state monopoly on broadcasting. The government said the move was part of a package of reforms announced by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in April this year. Algeria has witnessed waves of popular demonstrations in line with other countries in North Africa and the Middle East. Journalists will no longer face imprisonment for libel but will be issued with fines instead.