World News: North Korean leader's son appointed post of general

North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's son, Kim Jong-un, has been appointed a general, the country's state media has said.

They also said Kim Jong-il has been reappointed as leader at the start of a meeting of the ruling party, and that a "crucial" development had begun.

The party's biggest meeting for decades is being held amid rumours Kim Jong-il plans to cement the family dynasty by anointing his son as successor.

The announcement is the first mention of his son by name by state media.

The television announcer was quoted as saying that Kim Jong-il had been reappointed as general secretary of the Workers' Party as an "expression of absolute support and trust".

The 68-year-old leader is reportedly suffering from several illnesses.

He is believed to have had a stroke two years ago, and has travelled to China for treatment on numerous occasions.

Neither Pyongyang nor Beijing have publicly commented on rumours surrounding his health.

The Workers Party meeting, which has a stated aim of installing a new leadership team, has now opened.

Mayor's body found in truck

A SMALL town mayor and an aide were found stoned to death in a drug-plagued western state in Mexico, the fifth city leader to be murdered since mid-August.

The bodies of Tancitaro mayor Gustavo Sanchez and city adviser Rafael Equihua were discovered in a pick-up truck near Uruapan.

Telescope discovers asteroid

An asteroid that will come within four million miles of Earth in mid-October has been discovered by a University of Hawaii telescope.

The university's Institute for Astronomy said the object had a diameter of about 150 feet.

Parliament opens in Oz

Australia's new parliament has opened in Canberra, following the country's closest election in 70 years.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard won the first major test of her Labor government after her nominee was re-elected parliamentary speaker.

Ms Gillard was forced to seek the backing of independents and Greens to form a government after August's poll.

The sound of the didgeroo marked the opening.

Domingo quits national opera

Placido Domingo is to leave the Washington National Opera where he has been artistic director since 1996 when his contract expires next year.

Spanish tenor Domingo, 69, holds the same title with the Los Angeles Opera and renewed his contract there last week until 2013.

Governor is killed in car bomb attack

Afghanistan: A deputy Afghan provincial governor has been killed in an explosion while travelling in his car, police say.

At least four others in Mohammad Kazim Allahyar's vehicle were killed in the blast in Ghazni city.

United States: Hundreds of protesters gathered outside FBI offices in Minneapolis and Chicago, condemning the agency's searches of homes and offices of anti-war activists.