Sony cancels the release of The Interview, a film about a fictional plot to kill North Korea's leader, after major cinemas decide not to screen it.

Fracking, the controversial method of oil and gas development, will be banned in New York state after a report concludes the process poses "significant public health risks".

A Nigerian court martial in the capital Abuja sentences 54 soldiers to death for refusing to fight Boko Haram Islamist militants.

Cuban President Raul Castro urges the US to end its trade embargo after the two countries opened formal talks on restoring diplomatic relations.

Australian police say Sydney cafe attacker Man Haron Monis did not have a gun licence, though they initially told PM Tony Abbott he did.

A draft resolution setting out a Palestinian timetable for a peace deal with Israel is submitted to the UN Security Council by Jordan.

Hollywood stars express dismay at Sony's decision to cancel The Interview, a film comedy about North Korea's leader, amid a series of threats.

The cyber attack on Sony that forced a major film release to be pulled is being viewed as a national security matter, the White House says.