New Pope elected : Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis

AP Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected pope on Wednesday to lead the Roman Catholic Churcha prelate announced to huge crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square. He took the name Pope Francis, the cardinal said. Cardinals elected Bergoglio on just the second day of a secret conclave to find a successor to Pope Benedict, who abdicated unexpectedly last month. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer)

RIP Hugo Chávez Frías

Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez Frías has died aged 58, after 14 years in power. Chavez had been seriously ill with cancer for more than a year, undergoing several operations in Cuba. He will be given a state funeral in the capital Caracas on Friday. Vice-President Nicolas Maduro will assume the presidency until an election is called within 30 days.