Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong could face new criminal charges in the United States, after admitting drug-taking.

A leaked Justice Department memo has revealed the US government's justifications for using drones to kill Americans abroad.

The neighbour of the Alabama man who held a 5-year-old hostage in an underground bunker for nearly a week has described him as a 'dangerous, angry man'.

Eighteen people are charged in a credit card fraud ring accused of stealing at least $200m (£127m), possibly the largest in US history.

Entrepreneur heading campaign to clean up the sport

The Vatican official charged with prosecuting sexual crimes acknowledges that the US media helped the Catholic Church confront the abuse scandal.

The US Justice Department confirms it will sue ratings agency Standard and Poor's for allegedly "defrauding investors" before the financial crisis.

Michael Dell is buying back the personal computer manufacturer he founded and that carries his name for $24.4bn (£15.5bn).

The world's longest domestic cat, a 48.5in (1.23m) Maine Coon named Stewie, of Reno Nevada, dies at the age of eight.

President Obama urges Congress to pass short-term spending cuts and tax reforms to delay larger cuts next month, a plan rejected by Republicans.

Barack Obama is planning his first trip to Israel as US president, in a spring trip that will include the West Bank and Jordan, says the White House.

Two teenagers whose fingers were cut off in a tug-of-war accident at a California school are awake and alert after surgery, a medical official says.

Olympic gold medallist Lindsey Vonn is out for the season after a crash at the Alpine Skiing World Championships.

An Iraq war veteran charged with murdering an ex-US Navy Seal sniper received psychiatric care in recent months, police records show.

Austrian Felix Baumgartner fell even faster during his historic skydive last October than was originally thought.

British actor Robin Sachs, best known for his roles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Galaxy Quest, dies at the age of 61.

A leaked US justice department memo reveals its legal case for drone strikes on American citizens abroad, which a civil liberties group calls "reckless".

Acting legend Robert De Niro is the latest Hollywood star to have his hands and feet cast in cement in front of the Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

A kidnapper in the US state of Alabama has died after police raided his bunker, saving a five-year-old boy held captive inside for six days.

A kidnapper in the US state of Alabama has died after police raided his bunker, saving a five-year-old boy held captive inside for six days.