US

Heinz plans to offer severance benefits, outplacement services and other support to help affected employees pursue new jobs.

Counter-terrorism chief says al-Qaida offshoots exploiting security lapses during Ashoura festival.

Sony investigates PS4 problem on the eve of US launch of next-generation video game console.

Bitcoin value smashed through $400 barrier, as unprecedented growth continues ahead of US Senate hearing.

Group owned by family of billionaire Philip Green sees sales decline on back of milder than expected weather.

The Pentagon and Department of Defense look to future without BlackBerry, as security clearance for iOS and Android nears.

OECD signals growth may be better than expected in many economies, but warns on troubled Brics nations.

Wayne County medical examiner's office says white homeowner murdered black girl who wanted help after car crash.

Makers of the show, Downton Abbey announced its renewal for a fifth season

No discernible impact of partial federal government shutdown, says Labor Department.

Kremlin's multibillion-dollar military supply deal gets green light days after PM Nuri al-Maliki returned empty-handed from Washington visit.

Poker player turned political forecaster got 50 states right in US 2012 presidential elections.

Investors await US Q3 GDP data due on 7 November.

Tea party candidate beaten by Democrat Terry McAuliffe as moderate New Jersey governor wins landslide.

ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission will lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota in southeast India at 2:38 p.m local time (4:08 a.m. EST, 0908 GMT).

'Most interesting eclipse of the year' captured on film.

US had offered a $5m bounty on Mehsud after he appeared in a farewell video with the Jordanian suicide bomber who attacked a US base in Afghanistan, killing CIA employees.

Xinhua's warning to Uncle Sam: Peeping Tom will be struck blind.

Underground passage equipped with electricity and rail system found linking San Diego and Tijuana

New study by academics reveals connection between property ownership and unemployment in the United States and elsewhere.

Beijing asserts right to curb export of essential minerals indispensable for hi-tech industries.

Tesla opens West Coast Supercharger network, letting Model S owners drive 1,700 mile route with free, rapid recharging.

Peter Stoker says reports of a krokodil epidemic are greatly exaggerated - but we mustn't be complacent.

WHO confirms five more cases of cholera as outbreak creeps closer to Texas.

SEA posts links to video supporting Syrian regime on US president's official social media accounts.

Burger King fast food chain shares rise on back of solid third quarter results.

Iran has introduced its first anti-American awards, inviting the public to submit work demonising the United States.

American who had been in UK for just three days scarred for life following attack in London's Brick Lane.

German foreign minister Guido Westerwelle to discuss NSA eavesdropping with US envoy in Berlin, John Emerson.

US Treasury Department so far has frozen about $55,000 of yakuza holdings including two Japan-issued American Express cards, according to Bloomberg.