The US and Japan begin joint military exercises, amid simmering tensions with China over disputed islands in the East China Sea.

HSBC bank puts aside a further $800m to cover potential money laundering fines in the US as it announces a fall in quarterly profits.

A Palestinian man dies after being hit by Israeli gunfire near Gaza's border fence with Israel, with Palestinian medics saying he was mentally ill.

The Haitian government renews calls for international aid more than a week after Hurricane Sandy caused major damage to crops and infrastructure.

Two foreign workers have been killed and a third person seriously injured by bomb blasts in the Bahraini capital, Manama, police say.

Rwanda accuses DR Congo soldiers of 'provocation' after a group crossed the border and one was shot dead, further raising tensions along the volatile area.

Laos gives the go-ahead to build a massive dam on the lower Mekong river, despite opposition from neighbouring countries and environmentalists.

Ukraine's opposition parties are holding a rally in Kiev in protest at what they describe as "fraudulent" parliamentary elections last month.