The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor says there is evidence that Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi ordered the rape of hundreds of women as a weapon.

Morocco launches an inquiry into allegations that an unnamed French ex-minister was caught in an orgy with young boys in the city of Marrakesh.

The UK and France present a draft UN resolution condemning Syria's suppression of protests, but stopping short of authorising concrete action.

EU and Russian leaders are to open a two-day summit, overshadowed by Moscow's ban on EU vegetable imports following a deadly E. coli outbreak.

Fugitive Italian rebel Cesare Battisti will not be extradited from Brazil, after the Supreme Court rejects an appeal from Italy.

Former mayor of Tijuana Jorge Hank Rhon is charged with stockpiling weapons after soldiers seize guns at his home in northern Mexico.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calls for global action to end Aids by 2020, at a summit marking the 30th anniversary since the discovery of the disease.

Christine Lagarde, the leading candidate to head the IMF, says she is "very satisfied" with her meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing.