During a week of heavy criticism, Barack Obama's detractors have even found time to castigate the President for his umbrella protocol.

A single ticket wins US$590.5m (NZ$710m) in the highest Powerball lottery jackpot in history.

A US student being held by an armed intruder has been shot and killed by police.

Around 50 to 60 people injured after a car drove into a group of hikers at a parade in a small US town.

Officials are amazed there were no fatalities when two rush-hour trains collided in the US.

At least 60 people injured, three critically, after two trains crash on a commuter line in Connecticut.

Life on the run for "Kai the Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker" ended when he asked for a cup of coffee.

A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada.

An Uzbekistan national living in Idaho is due in court accused of conspiring with a terrorist group.

The head of the FBI said that there were lapses in tracking accused Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev's visit to Russia last year.

US man found guilty of murder after dying, paralysed victim identified him by blinking his eyes.

Somebody out there does, and they've paid a shocking $2.33 million at auction for the privilege.

Hitchhiker who became viral sensation after using a hatchet to stop a maniac is suspected of murder.

The cause of a fire that triggered a massive explosion at a Texas fertiliser plant has been ruled undetermined.

One of the first two US states to legalise recreation marijuana use gives insight to how pot industry will take shape.

Country up a certain creek as caps keep supermarket shelves empty and send shoppers into a rage.

Russia warned the United States in 2011 to stop trying to recruit its security agents as spies and expelled a CIA operative in January.

US president names White House budget official to lead the beleaguered IRS temporarily.

KEVIN MCGILL - AP

A second suspect was arrested in the New Orleans shooting that injured 20 people at a parade on Mother's Day.

JANA J PRUET - Reuters

At least six people were killed and 100 injured when tornados ripped through north-central Texas.