At least six Lebanese soldiers have been killed and others injured in clashes with Sunni militants in the port city of Sidon, the army says.

The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) says banks have done their bit to help economic recovery and governments must do more.

Protests resume in several cities across Brazil, but on a smaller scale than in the past few days.

An Italian court is expected to rule whether ex-Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi paid for sex with an underage prostitute and abused his term in office.

Israeli warplanes attack targets in the Gaza Strip after missiles are fired into southern Israel late on Sunday night.

Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng arrives in Taiwan to meet opposition lawmakers and discuss human rights, in a move likely to anger Beijing.

Former US intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, wanted by the US on spying charges, is expected to leave Russia in a bid to gain asylum in Ecuador.

Australia sack coach Mickey Arthur just 16 days before the start of the Ashes, according to media reports.