The Israeli army says it is investigating the death of a Palestinian activist who died after being hit in the face by a tear-gas canister at a weekend protest.

China executes a South African woman for drug smuggling, rejecting an appeal by President Jacob Zuma to spare her life, a South African official tells the BBC.

The Indian city of Calcutta pays respects to the 90 people who lost their lives in last Friday's hospital fire.

The Arab League condemns Republican US presidential contender Newt Gingrich for calling Palestinians an "invented" people and "terrorists".

Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila rejects opposition claims that he won elections through widespread rigging but admits "mistakes".

The US box office suffers its lowest takings in three years, despite the pulling power of New Year's Eve's all-star cast.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy says there are now clearly two Europes following last week's summit in which the UK vetoed EU treaty changes.

Peruvian President Ollanta Humala swears in a new cabinet led by an ex-army officer after the surprise resignation of his prime minister.