US President Barack Obama consoles bereaved residents in areas of New York that still have no electricity 17 days after the deadly super-storm Sandy.

The CIA opens an investigation into the conduct of its former director, David Petraeus, who resigned last week because of an extramarital affair.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the overly stringent lending requirements of banks are hurting the US housing recovery.

Four people die and 17 others are injured, 10 critically, as a train hits a parade float on its way to an event honouring wounded veterans in Texas.

Syrian opposition leaders are due in London for talks over the conflict in the country with the UK's Foreign Secretary William Hague.

Israel's defence minister authorises the call-up of 30,000 reservists, amid speculation about a possible ground offensive on Gaza.

The US Postal Service reports an annual loss of a $15.9bn (£10bn), ending a year in which it defaulted on payments twice to avert bankruptcy.

Canadian scientists have shown that the deadliest form of the Ebola virus could be transmitted by air between species.