The Cypriot economy is "on the brink", the country's largest bank warns, as political leaders scramble to raise the funds to secure a rescue package.

An Ohio jury recommends the death penalty for Richard Beasley, convicted of luring men to their deaths with bogus job adverts on the Craigslist website.

India's Supreme Court rules that Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt must return to jail for his role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

The BBC has become the latest victim of Twitter hackers as several of its feeds, including @bbcweather, are taken over by pro-Syrian hackers.

The UN is to investigate the possible use of chemical weapons in an attack in Syria's Aleppo province, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announces.

At least 14 people including a leading pro-government cleric are killed by a blast at a mosque in the Syrian capital, Damascus, reports say.

French ex-President Nicolas Sarkozy is placed under formal investigation over allegations he accepted illegal campaign donations in 2007.

Australian leader Julia Gillard looks to have survived an attempt by her own party to oust her, as main rival Kevin Rudd says he will not stand against her.