News: North and South America

Three people connected to the US consulate in the Mexican border city of Ciudad Juarez have been killed, the White House says.

A top Obama adviser criticises Israel over settlement homes in East Jerusalem, thwarting Israeli hopes of ending the row.

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombians voted in congressional elections on Sunday in a harbinger of May's ballot to replace President Alvaro Uribe, who will step down after two terms dominated by his war on leftist rebels.

A US woman held in Ireland over an alleged plot to kill a Swedish cartoonist is freed, as three others are still questioned.

Ridding Falklands of its landmines, 30 years after war

An avalanche hits an unauthorised snowmobile rally in Canada, killing at least three people and triggering a search.

A new bill to tighten regulation of US banks is due to be unveiled, but it may struggle to get backing in the Senate.

REVELSTOKE, British Columbia (AP) -- An avalanche struck a rally of up to 200 snowmobilers in Canada's Rocky Mountains on Saturday, killing at least three people and leaving an unknown number missing, police said.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called for regulation of the Internet on Saturday while demanding authorities crack down on a critical news Web site that he accused of spreading false information.

Colombians are set to vote in legislative elections that may indicate how the May presidential election will shape up.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called for regulation of the Internet on Saturday while demanding authorities crack down on a critical news Web site that he accused of spreading false information.

Russia and the US are close to concluding a new nuclear disarmament treaty, officials in Washington and Moscow say.

New US movement tells politicians to smell the coffee

Successful treatment for gum disease cuts the risk of pregnant women giving birth early, say US researchers.

CARACAS (AP) -- A Venezuelan police official says security forces have seized two tons of cocaine that was intended to be smuggled to the Netherlands.

Thirteen people are killed in an outbreak of drug-related violence in the Mexican beach resort of Acapulco, officials say.

A 3,000-year-old wooden sarcophagus stolen from Egypt more than 125 years ago is returned from the US.

Colombian police find 16kg (35lb) of cocaine inside replicas of sculptures by artist Fernando Botero being shipped to Spain.

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela on Saturday tested six training and light attack jets bought from China for defense and anti-drugs flights in a deal that dodges an embargo banning sales of U.S. weapons parts to oil exporter Venezuela.

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Thirteen people were killed in and around the Mexican beach resort of Acapulco early on Saturday in apparent drug-related violence, with four victims found beheaded, security officials said.