A man from the US state of Minnesota has admitted helping Somali men travel to their homeland to join the militant group, al-Shabab. Omer Abdi Mohamed admitted one count of conspiracy to murder, kidnap and maim others in a foreign country. The 26-year-old's plea came on the eve of what would have been the first trial in a federal probe into the recruiting of US fighters for al-Shabab. Mohamed faces up to 15 years in jail when sentenced later. His lawyer, Peter Wold, said his client chose to admit the charge of providing material support to terrorists because he has a family and faced a much longer sentence if convicted. An 18th person was charged last month as part of the long-running US investigation.

David Cameron has said the Commons will be recalled on Wednesday to debate the latest developments in the phone-hacking scandal.

MPs were due to begin a six-week recess at the end of Tuesday.

Labour demanded an extra day's sitting to enable MPs to consider the worsening crisis for the police and the media.

Senior police officer John Yates signalled his intention to resign on Monday, following Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson quitting on Sunday.

With the fallout from the hacking scandal intensifying, the PM said it would be "right" to make a statement on Wednesday and answer questions "arising" from recent events.

In other developments on Monday:
Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks confirms she will appear before a committee of MPs on Tuesday, alongside Rupert and James Murdoch, despite her arrest and questioning by police
The Serious Fraud Office says it will give "full consideration" to a request by Labour MP Tom Watson to investigate out-of-court settlements made to hacking victims
Shares in News Corporation drop by 7.6% to a two-year low in trading in Australia.

Pressure has been growing on the Commons to keep sitting on Wednesday as the scandal surrounding News International and the police continues to intensify.
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ANALYSIS
Iain Watson
Political correspondent, BBC News

David Cameron is under intense pressure on phone hacking - but how bad is it?

This morning, from South Africa, he agreed to delay MPs' summer break for a day to debate it - just before Ed Miliband was to call for him to do so.

But with attention switching from politicians to the police, with the departure of Assistant Commissioner John Yates, he will be hoping for some respite.

Labour held back from calling on Mr Yates to resign because they wanted Mr Cameron's judgement to remain the subject of scrutiny.

And although few Conservative backbenchers think the PM has handled the crisis well - they won't be baying for his blood on Wednesday.

With Labour appearing to be on the front foot on phone hacking, they are not going to fan the "firestorm", as Mr Cameron called it.

They are far more likely to ask questions about Scotland Yard, rather than what's been going on in their own back yard.
PM in Africa: Can he stay in touch with crisis?
BSkyB: Decision expected on James Murdoch's role
Phone hacking scandal: Who is next in line?
The MPs who will quiz the Murdochs

Rupert Murdoch, his son James and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks are set to face questions on Tuesday afternoon from the Commons culture committee over what went on at the News of The World and what they knew about it.

Earlier on Tuesday, Met Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson - who announced his resignation on Sunday amid allegations about the force's relationship with former News of the World deputy editor Neil Wallis - is due to appear before the home affairs select committee.

Speaking in South Africa, where he is on a trade trip, Mr Cameron said he believed it would be appropriate for MPs to sit an extra day to discuss these developments.

It is up to the Commons Speaker John Bercow to decide whether to extend the Commons sitting.

Downing Street said they expected the prime minister to make a statement and take questions from MPs afterwards but Labour leader Ed Miliband called for a full debate - but prime minister's questions, which is normally held on a Wednesday, will not be taking place.

"We must give MPs the chance to debate the issues arising from the select committee hearing and ensure the prime minister addresses the many unanswered questions that he faces," he said.
'Fleeing the country'

Mr Cameron has faced criticism for the timing of his trip to Africa, one Conservative backbencher telling BBC News it appeared the PM was "fleeing the country".

But the prime minister defended his decision saying: "It is important for the prime minister to get out there with British business at a time when we need investment and growth and jobs back at home."

And he said he had been in touch with Home Secretary Theresa May and other key figures to discuss the latest developments.

"Just because you are travelling to Africa does not mean you suddenly lose contact with your office," he added.
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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Monday: Home secretary to make statement on the resignations of the Met commissioner and Assistant Commissioner John Yates
Tuesday: Rupert Murdoch, James Murdoch and Rebekah Brooks to face questions from Commons culture committee; MPs on the Home Affairs committee to quiz Sir Paul Stephenson and potentially also John Yates
Wednesday: David Cameron could make statement to MPs on the hacking inquiries

Mr Cameron was also quizzed about Sir Paul Stephenson's resignation - and the reference in his resignation statement to the prime minister's close relationship with the News of the World's former editor, Andy Coulson.

He rejected suggestions that there was any similarity between Neil Wallis being employed by Scotland Yard and Mr Coulson working in Downing Street.

"The situation in the Metropolitan Police Service is really quite different to the situation in the government, not least because the issues that the Metropolitan Police are looking at, the issues around them, have had a direct bearing on public confidence into the police inquiry into the News of the World and indeed into the police themselves."
'Hamstrung'

But Labour said the prime minister was "hamstrung" from dealing with the crisis of confidence in the media and the police because of his decision to employ Mr Coulson.

"It is also striking that Sir Paul Stephenson has taken responsibility and resigned over the employment of Mr Coulson's deputy, while the prime minister has not even apologised for hiring Mr Coulson," said Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Assistant Commissioner John Yates's resignation followed the decision of the Metropolitan Police Authority's to suspend him and refer his conduct to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Mr Yates was widely criticised for deciding not to reopen the Met's hacking inquiry following a review of new evidence in 2009.

The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said further pressure had built on Mr Yates after it had emerged that he had also been in charge of checking out Mr Wallis before he was given a contract by the Metropolitan Police to provide communications advice.

Home Secretary Theresa May is due to update MPs on the turmoil at Scotland Yard and the future priorities for the organisation later on Monday