The US Federal Reserve says the economy has failed to gain any ground in recent weeks, with many areas remaining weak.

Eight Republican presidential hopefuls take part in a TV debate in California, with the US economy and job-creation likely to top the agenda.

Former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson goes to Cuba to seek the release of a US contractor whose imprisonment has frozen US-Cuba relations.

Thousands of Brazilians take to the streets to turn Independence Day celebrations into a protest against corruption.

Niger says it is still considering how to deal with Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi if he decides to flee to the country.

Russia and the ice hockey world mourn the sport's "darkest day" after a major league team is almost entirely wiped out in a plane crash.

Police in Indian-administered Kashmir detain the owner of a cyber cafe in connection with Wednesday's bomb attack in the Indian capital, Delhi.

Australia's unemployment rate rose unexpectedly to a 10-month high in August, according to official figures.