Vodafone says that its talks about selling its 45% stake in Verizon Communications are "advanced" as it puts a value of $130bn (£84bn) on the stake.

Venezuela's finance minister Nelson Merentes says the economic policies of late President Hugo Chavez and his successor are yet to be successful.

A 92-year-old former SS officer is due to go on trial in Germany for the murder of a Dutch resistance fighter during World War II.

China's manufacturing activity picks up speed in August, hitting a 16-month high, allaying some fears of a sharp slowdown in its economy.

A trial is due to open in Turkey of alleged military coup plotters for ousting a pro-Islamist government in 1997.

Riot police in Mexico City clash near Congress with students opposed to the government's education reforms.

Nelson Mandela has spent his first night in many weeks at his home in Johannesburg after being discharged from hospital in Pretoria.

Syria warns any US military action over the alleged use of chemical weapons would amount to "support of al-Qaeda and its affiliates".