US Vice-President Joe Biden visits China later, with talks likely to focus on addressing concerns over his country's budget deficit.

Police officers in Ecuador will be subject to lie detector tests under new anti-corruption measures, the police chief says.

Republican presidential contender Rick Perry is criticised across the political divide after warning the Federal Reserve chairman against "treason".

The premier of the Canadian province of Quebec, Jean Charest, laughs off a report that he had died, after a news website is targeted by hackers.

A charging gorilla and a tern taking to the air are among the images to shortlisted in one of the world's top wildlife photography competitions.

Syrian troops again open fire on the port of Latakia, reports say, in the fourth day of an assault that has drawn growing international condemnation.

Five tobacco companies sue the US government over a new law that would force them to place graphic health warnings on their cigarette packets.

A pen-and-ink drawing by Dutch master Rembrandt stolen from a hotel in California at the weekend has been recovered at a church 20 miles (32 km) away, police confirm.