One of two French hostages released by the Afghan Taliban tells the BBC he believes there was an exchange deal involving money and prisoners.

The US will open criminal inquiries into the deaths of two CIA detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2002 and 2003, the attorney general says.

Next season's NBA season is in jeopardy after team owners decide to "lock out" players following a failure to reach a new collective bargaining agreement.

China marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of its ruling Communist Party, with gala performances, celebratory TV shows, and an epic film.

Corn and other commodities suffer steep price falls in the US, prompting speculation that the rising cost of food may start to ease.

A suspected Mexican drug gang member confesses to involvement in the murder of scores of migrants last year, officials say.

Morocco prepares to head to the polls to vote on a series of reforms and constitutional amendments proposed by King Mohammed.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he has had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour, in his first TV speech since flying to Cuba for treatment.