World tennis number one Serena Williams apologises after reportedly appearing to criticise the victim in a high-profile US rape case.

Microsoft backtracks on controversial plans to impose strict restrictions on the playing and trading of games on its upcoming Xbox One console.

James Gandolfini, the US actor best known for his role as the mob boss in The Sopranos, has died, his managers and HBO TV network confirm.

UN head Ban Ki-moon expresses outrage over a "despicable" attack by Islamists on a UN office in Somalia which killed at least 15 people.

A Neymar-inspired Brazil defeat Mexico to secure the hosts' place in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

Brazilian authorities promise to reverse public transport fare rises that sparked unrest, but nationwide protests continue unabated.

China's manufacturing activity weakens further in June, falling to a nine-month low as demand falls, according to a preliminary survey by HSBC.

China's second female astronaut, Wang Yaping, delivers the country's first-ever video lecture from the Tiangong-1 space laboratory.