The US House passes an increase in the government's debt limit, after Republicans end their effort to win concessions from the Democrats in return.

An 87-year-old former Communist-era camp commander has been blamed for prisoners' deaths in the 1950s, and is now being investigated by prosecutors.

A dataset, described as the largest of it kind, assesses the impact of urbanisation on biodiversity levels around the globe.

Aid agencies are hoping to resume the evacuation of civilians from Syria's besieged city of Homs, a day after the UN-run operation was suspended.

Actor Samuel L Jackson hauls up a US TV host after being mistaken for fellow star Laurence Fishburne.

Hollywood star Shirley Temple has died at the age of 85, her family has said.

French President Francois Hollande is honoured at a lavish White House state dinner, capping a US visit aimed at renewing the nations' partnership.

Algeria enters three days of mourning for the 77 people killed after a military passenger plane crashed in the mountainous north-east of the country.