Major power failures hit Brazil
Brazil's two largest cities - Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo - are hit by major blackouts due to a problem at a massive hydroelectric dam.

Washington sniper is put to death
The man behind the 2002 sniper attacks in and near Washington DC is executed after a final appeal was thrown out.

El Salvador facing food shortage
About 10,000 people in El Salvador are in need of food aid after devastating floods washed away crops, a UN agency says.

Obama sorrow at Fort Hood service
US President Barack Obama says "no faith justifies" the killings at Fort Hood army base, as he attends a memorial service.

Adobe lays off one in 10 workers
US software company Adobe Systems announces it is cutting 680 jobs, almost one in 10 of its workforce.

Bear Stearns ex-managers cleared
Two former Bear Stearns hedge fund managers charged with fraud are found not guilty by a New York jury.

Plea deal for ex-Nasa astronaut
Former US astronaut Lisa Nowak, accused of attacking and trying to kidnap a love rival, is given a year's probation.

US pilot faces Heathrow drink charge
A United Airlines pilot is charged after being arrested at Heathrow Airport on suspicion of being drunk.

Colombian troops killed in clash
Nine soldiers are killed in a clash with left-wing Farc rebels in south-western Colombia, officials say.

Judge bans 'Christian' licence plate in South Carolina
A US judge has ordered South Carolina not to issue a licence plate with a Christian image and slogan.

Brazilian student's minidress has university authorities in a spin
A Brazilian university reverses its decision to expel a student for wearing a short dress, in the face of an outcry.

How the Obama presidency slipped from poetry to prose
One year after Barack Obama's election to the highest office, Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, asks if the president should maybe take a leaf out of the book of his predecessor.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
US striker Davies leaves hospital
US striker Charlie Davies is released from hospital almost a month after being seriously injured in a car crash in which another passenger died.

FROM BBC SPORT >>
Fifa to decide Maradona sanction
Argentina coach Diego Maradona faces a Fifa disciplinary hearing in Zurich on Sunday over his furious outburst following a 1-0 win over Uruguay.

US warns over Koreas naval clash
The White House and the UN appeal for restraint after a maritime clash between North and South Korea.

Pushchairs recalled over 'amputations'
About a million pushchairs made by Maclaren USA are recalled in the US amid reports of children's fingertips being cut off.

US trio 'on Iran spying charge'
Three young Americans detained in Iran over alleged illegal entry are to be charged with spying, an Iranian state news agency says.

US and Israeli leaders hold talks
President Barack Obama meets Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu as the US struggles to revive the Middle East peace process.

Oprah settles 'aha moment' case
Oprah Winfrey and a US insurance firm reach an amicable settlement over the rights to the phrase "aha moment".

Canadian rescued from bears on Arctic ice
A Canadian teenager is rescued from a drifting ice floe in the Arctic, after being stranded with two polar bears while snowmobiling.

EU objects to Oracle bid for Sun
The European Commission has objected to Oracle's proposed takeover of Sun Microsystems, casting doubt on the $7.4bn deal.

Kraft in Cadbury takeover bid
UK confectioner Cadbury rejects a £9.8bn hostile bid from US food giant Kraft, which will now go directly to shareholders.

Games maker EA to cut 1,500 jobs
US video game maker Electronic Arts says it is cutting 1,500 jobs as quarterly losses widen to $391m.

AIG posts second quarterly profit
Insurer AIG reports its second straight quarterly profit since it was bailed out by the US government.

Fannie Mae asks for another $15bn
US mortgage finance firm Fannie Mae asks for another $15bn in state aid after announcing heavy losses.

Canada's biker massacre
Gang feud behind the slaughter that shocked Canada

J Street on Washington map
New Israel lobby group finds voice in Obama's America

Mothers at risk in the US
Giving birth in the US is riskier than you might think

Wildlife on Brazil roads
Wildlife on Brazil roads

Weeks of terror
DC sniper's looming execution revives fear of 2002 spree

Day of the Skulls
Ancient rituals and Catholic belief collide in Bolivia

Gas rocks
New technology makes it easier to find natural gas

Future gazing
Is Brazil finally set to reach its full potential?