US Republicans propose a $2.2tn (£1.4tn) plan to avoid the "fiscal cliff", including changes to key benefits, but it is quickly rejected by the White House.

The Spanish oil company, Repsol, which had its assets in Argentina seized in April, takes its case to the World Bank's arbitration body in Washington.

The Abyan region of Yemen saw a "human rights catastrophe" as al-Qaeda-linked militants fought the government, says Amnesty International.

Two Mexican men are charged with killing a US federal officer after a suspected smuggler's vessel collided with a US Coast Guard boat.

A Chinese government-linked company pleads guilty to illegally exporting high-performance coatings from the US to a nuclear power plant in Pakistan.

The top US military court removes the judge presiding over the murder trial of Maj Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 people at a Texas army base.

The UK Scout Association launches a consultation to see if its members would back an alternative oath for those who feel unable to pledge a "duty to God".

Australia's central bank cuts its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points to 3%, as it looks to counter a slowdown in its mining sector.