Militant group Boko Haram says it has set up an Islamic state in towns and villages it has seized in Nigeria, but the army rejects the claim as "empty".

Police in Brazil say four prisoners have been killed - two of them decapitated - in a riot in a jail in the southern city of Cascavel.

The government of Mozambique signs a ceasefire with the Renamo opposition party in a bid to end hostilities ahead of elections in October.

The state funeral of Ireland's former prime minister Albert Reynolds is set to take place.

At least 10 people have been killed in a stampede at a Hindu festival in central India, local officials say.

China's top leaders meet this week for talks on the divisive issue of how Hong Kong picks its next leader, as democracy activists warn of protests.

The father of an unarmed black teenager shot dead by a policeman calls for peace ahead of his son's funeral in St Louis, Missouri, on Monday.

The Thai general who led May's coup, Prayuth Chan-ocha, is officially appointed prime minister following the king's endorsement.