The US state of Arkansas is set to resume executing death row inmates after a 10-year hiatus brought on by legal concerns and drug shortages.

Brazil has lost its investment-grade credit rating following a downgrade by Standard & Poor's to "junk" status.

The Hungarian army starts military exercises to prepare for guarding the country's southern border to try to stem the influx of migrants.

Areas north of Tokyo are put on high alert and hundreds of thousands of people advised to evacuate as heavy rains continue in Japan after Typhoon Etau.

It is "essential" that the genetic modification of human embryos is allowed, according to a global group of scientists, ethicists and policy experts.

Sharply rising food prices in China pushed up inflation to a one-year high in the world's second largest economy.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang says the country is on track to meet all its economic targets this year despite fears of a deepening slowdown.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the country's military involvement in the fight against IS in the Middle East could last for "years".