The United Nations is concerned at the rise in looting and attacks targeting emergency aid deliveries in hurricane-ravaged Haiti, a UN official said on Sunday.

Donald Trump fired off an erratic new broadside at Hillary Clinton on Sunday, making more explosive claims that American media and a conspiracy to commit voter fraud are rigging the presidential election against him.

US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said on Sunday that operations to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State group were key to defeating the jihadist group.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said on Thursday a ceasefire with the country's FARC guerillas has been extended until December 31 but that he hopes to have "a new agreement" for peace before that date.

The UN General Assembly has  appointed Antonio Guterres as the new secretary-general of the United Nations, in a shift towards a more high-profile leadership of the world body.

Millions of Thais donned black on Friday as the grieving nation prepared to hold traditional Buddhist ceremonies for revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, whose death leaves the country facing an uncertain new era.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will travel to Haiti on Saturday to visit areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew as a UN funding appeal for the Caribbean nation drew few donors.

The longest-reigning monarch won the devotion of his subjects with his commitment to their welfare

Samsung on Friday said the crisis over its exploding Note 7 smartphones would cost another US$3 billion-plus in lost profit over the next two quarters, but hoped expanded sales of its other flagship handset would help cushion the impact.