Lack of motive and faulty evidence led to the acquittal of Amanda Knox of the murder of British student Meredith Kercher, an Italian court says.

Former French President Jacques Chirac says he has no plans to appeal againt a sentence for diverting public funds, but denies the charges.

Ratings agency Fitch downgrades six of the world's largest banks, including Goldman Sachs and Barclays, citing the challenging financial markets.

Police in Bahrain detain prominent blogger and rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja during a protest near the capital Manama, reports say.

Russia circulates a UN Security Council resolution aimed at ending the crisis in Syria, in a move that surprised the Western nations.

IMF head Christine Lagarde says the world economic outlook is gloomy and no country is immune from rising risks.

Self-styled revolutionary "Carlos the Jackal" is convicted by a French court of organising four deadly attacks in the 1980s and sentenced to life in prison.

Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom issues an official apology for a massacre committed by soldiers during the country's civil conflict.