Some 300 Chinese tourists arrive in Taiwan - the first time in more than 50 years tourists from the mainland have been allowed to roam on their own.

Christine Lagarde takes a step closer to becoming the new head of the International Monetary Fund after she is backed by the US.

Three Rwandans and three Tanzanians accused of attempting to murder Rwandan ex-army chief Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa plead not guilty at their trial in South Africa.

Zimbabwe's High Court clears the MDC energy in the coalition government, Elton Mangoma, of corruption charges.

The US is supplying drone aircrafts to Uganda and Burundi to help them fight Islamist militants in Somalia, defence officials tell the BBC.

China's authorities are demanding that dissident artist Ai Weiwei pay almost $2m in unpaid taxes and fines, according to a friend.

The Dutch lower house of parliament passes a law effectively banning the ritual slaughter of animals, in a move condemned by Muslim and Jewish groups.

A piece of debris narrowly misses the International Space Station in an incident that forced its crew to scramble to their rescue craft.