A gun battle erupts between Malian soldiers and suspected separatist rebels in Kidal in the north, sparking fears that the violence could escalate.

Australia'a new Prime Minister Tony Abbott is to begin a visit to Indonesia, amid tensions between the two nations over his tough asylum policies.

Kenyan security chiefs are to be questioned by MPs about alleged intelligence failings over the deadly Westgate shopping centre attack.

China has offered tax rebates to manufacturers of solar power products in an attempt to prop up the struggling sector and also cut pollution levels.

US civil rights activist Rev Jesse Jackson says he will go to Colombia to seek the release of a Farc hostage despite official rejection of his mediation.

The retrial of Amanda Knox over the 2007 murder of British student Meredith Kercher is to open in Italy, but the American will not be in court.

Asian markets fall on fears that the US may be heading for a shutdown of government services amid the continuing political stalemate.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel is in South Korea for talks, with the eventual transfer of military control to Seoul expected to be a key issue.