A 61-year-old woman begins her attempt to become the first person to swim from Cuba to the US without a shark cage.

China's foreign minister arrives in Sudan, the first high-level visit by Khartoum's key ally since South Sudan became independent in July.

Saudi Arabia withdraws its ambassador from Syria calling the crackdown there "unacceptable", in a major escalation in foreign pressure.

The European Central Bank says it will buy eurozone bonds to reassure investors, as nervous global markets prepare to re-open.

Asian stock markets fall on Monday, extending one of the worst sells offs in recent years, on global growth fears.

Chicks abused by older birds are more likely to grow up to become abusers themselves, perpetuating a "cycle of violence", according to a study of Nazca boobies.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff replaces Defence Minister Nelson Jobim, after he made disparaging remarks about colleagues.

Chile holds a series of commemorative event to mark the anniversary of the mining collapse that left 33 men trapped underground for three months.