Shadow boxing ramps up between the White House and Republicans on whether to introduce tax rises to avert the upcoming "fiscal cliff".

At least 16 people die in the Pakistani city of Lahore after consuming what authorities say was a "toxic" cough syrup.

Some 200,000 Brazilians protest in Rio de Janeiro against a bill they say will deprive Rio state of much of its oil revenue.

An actor in one of the biggest comedies on US television, Two and a Half Men, describes the show as "filth" and urges viewers not to watch it.

Eurozone finance ministers and the IMF reach an agreement on an urgently needed bailout for debt-laden Greece.

US retailer Walmart says it is "troubling" that a supplier subcontracted work without authorisation to a factory hit by a lethal fire in Bangladesh.

The remains of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are set to be exhumed so experts can investigate allegations that he was poisoned.

The US is projected to have had its biggest ever online shopping day - with "Cyber Monday" sales up at least 20% on last year, analysts say.