US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta plays down reports that Israel is moving closer to taking military action over Iran's nuclear programme.

The largest Muslim area in the Burmese city of Sittwe was razed to the ground in recent communal clashes, a UK broadcaster says after visiting the area.

The New York Times Company announces that outgoing BBC director general Mark Thompson will take over as chief executive in November.

Brazil's government is set to launch the first in a series of measures that could inject up to $50bn into the economy over the next five years.

An Australian court has upheld the government's new law on mandatory plain packaging for cigarettes in the country.

Former Argentine President Fernando de la Rua, who resigned in 2001 amid an economic crisis, is facing trial for corruption in Buenos Aires.

A 90-year-old suspected Nazi war criminal wins his fight to remain in Australia, after the High Court blocks his extradition to Hungary.

The US accuses Iran of training a pro-regime militia in Syria, as a summit of Muslim countries is poised to suspend Damascus despite protests from Tehran.