A Russian court rejects bail requests from the American captain of the Arctic Sunrise and two foreign activists being held on piracy charges.

An explosion hits the Trader's Hotel, one of the most prestigious hotels in the Burmese city of Rangoon, injuring one US woman, say police.

Hundreds of people have died in detention centres in Nigeria as the army tries to crush an Islamic militant rebellion there, Amnesty International says.

Embattled Canadian smartphone maker Blackberry is publishing an open letter to reassure customers about its future.

World powers are set to begin talks with Iran on its controversial nuclear programme, but no major breakthrough is expected in Geneva.

A small plane carrying at least 14 people has gone missing in north western Mexico, according to officials.

An earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hits the central Philippines, killing at least six people.

US Senate leaders express optimism after a flurry of negotiations on raising the federal debt ceiling to avert a potentially disastrous default.