The Russian delegation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe resumes its boycott in protest at Ukraine sanctions.

Cuba demands the US hands back the Guantanamo Bay military base before relations with Washington are normalised.

The US Supreme Court postpones the executions of three death row inmates who say the use of the sedative midazolam in the procedures is cruel.

The start of the inquest into the Sydney cafe siege hears that hostage Katrina Dawson was killed by fragments of a police bullet or bullets.

Japan says it is investigating a purported new voice recording of hostage Kenji Goto, who is being held by Islamic State.

Top Argentine prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who died in unexplained circumstances, borrowed a gun because he feared for his security, a colleague says.

Astra Zeneca announces a research programme to develop a generation of medicines to treat the genetic causes of many debilitating diseases.

McDonald's boss Don Thompson steps down after two and a half years in the job, as the company struggles with a declining customer base in its home market.