US political leaders meet for a deadline-day summit at the White House as hopes fade for a deal to avoid $85bn (£56bn) in budget cuts.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21610813

Four men are paraded live on television before being executed in China for the murder of 13 Chinese fishermen on the Mekong river in 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-21625905

A man charged with killing six of his children in a house fire said in a disputed secret recording that he "didn't mean to do it", prosecutors claim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-21629611

Unacceptable sexual relationships by undercover police show an urgent review of laws regulating such activities in England and Wales is needed, MPs say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21619324

Air New Zealand says one of its pilots twice nodded off during a flight between London and Los Angeles but the flight was never in danger, reports say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21628746

Eight South African police officers are arrested over the death of a Mozambican man who was dragged through the streets behind a police vehicle.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21627554

David Cameron insists the Conservatives can "win people back" after they come third behind the Lib Dems and UKIP in the Eastleigh by-election.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21630472