Officials are investigating if a gunman who died after a shootout with Texas police on Thursday is linked to a Colorado prison chief's murder.

Hong Kong's government wins an appeal against a ruling that could have allowed foreign domestic helpers to apply for residency in the city.

Two people are killed and two more critically injured after a boat carrying at least 95 asylum seekers capsizes off Australia.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard unveils a new front bench, days after an abortive leadership vote she called "unseemly" and "self-indulgent".

South Korea and the United States sign a plan providing for a joint response in the event of "provocations" from North Korea.

The US army hands over to Afghanistan the notorious Bagram jail, resolving an issue that has strained ties between the countries.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg commits $12m of his own money to a national advertising campaign pushing for tougher gun controls.

Thirteen South African soldiers were killed in the Central African Republic as rebels seized the capital this weekend, President Zuma says.