News: North and South America

China cancels some military and diplomatic exchanges with the US over Washington's $6.5bn deal to supply Taiwan with arms.

As new voter registration ends in several key states, reports suggest the US Democrats have gained more than the Republicans.

European and Asian stock markets fall after bank bail-outs in the US and Europe fail to stem fears of slower growth.

'My grandfather jumped off a roof in the 1929 crash'

US coffee-shop chain Starbucks defends itself against claims of a serious waste of water by leaving taps running in its stores all day.

US Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama attacks rival John McCain over his links with a 1980s financial scandal.

Judging al-Qaeda's strengths and weaknesses

New states come into play as polls swing to Obama

At least 10 people are killed and many more are injured as a bus en route to a casino overturns in the US state of California.

The police did nothing wrong in the run-up to the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, a policewoman tells the inquest into his death.

Tim Vickery on Juan Roman Riquelme

Steven Spielberg's film studio agrees a joint venture with one of India's largest entertainment conglomerates.

An US woman in Hong Kong loses an appeal against her conviction for bludgeoning her husband after lacing his milkshake.

Alaska's attorney general says seven state staff will testify at a probe into alleged abuses of power by Governor Sarah Palin.

To reflect its expanded mission and client base, the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund is planning to change its name to Latino Justice P.R.L.D.E.F.

As Mexico grapples with an increase in drug-related violence, sales are steadily on the rise at an exclusive boutique, where all the garments are bulletproof.

A British Airways flight made an emergency landing in the US after staff detected a burning smell, the airline says.

Citing falling international oil prices, Finance Minister Alí Rodríguez said that Venezuela’s 2009 budget “will have significant restrictions” compared with this year’s plan.

US Democratic White House hopeful Barack Obama hits back at Republican "smears" he associated with terrorists.

Polls close in Brazil's local elections that are expected to boost President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's ruling party.