US

A writer for American comedy show Saturday Night Live has been suspended after a tweet mocking US President Donald Trump's son, US media reports say.

A White House spokesman has defended his claim that President Donald Trump's inauguration was the most-watched ever, insisting to media that "our intention is never to lie to you."

Donald Trump is about to be sworn in as the 45th US president, taking power over a divided country after winning a savage campaign.

Opinion - Donald Trump will cap his extraordinary election victory by being sworn in as a president already in crisis, writes Finlay Macdonald.

Mexican drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has been extradited to the United States, the US Justice Department says.

Alanis Morissette's former business manager has admitted stealing $US7 million from the pop star and other celebrities, US prosecutors say.

Outgoing CIA Director John Brennan has warned US President-elect Donald Trump to avoid off-the-cuff "talking and tweeting" once he takes office.

Barack Obama has ended the 20-year-old "wet foot, dry foot" policy, as part of continued efforts to thaw relations with Cuba.

The US Senate has voted to draft legislation repealing Barack Obama's signature health insurance programme, with another vote due this week.

US President Barack Obama has called on Americans to defend their democracy in his farewell speech in Chicago.

The FBI is reported to be investigating allegations that Russian intelligence collected compromising information on Donald Trump.

Barack Obama has used his final speech as US president to thank the American people. Look back at RNZ's live coverage here.

Donald Trump's pick to be the new attorney general has denied sympathising with the Ku Klux Klan, in a tough Senate confirmation hearing.

Donald Trump's naming of his son-in-law as a top adviser could breach nepotism laws, a group of lawmakers says.

Analysis: A just-released US intelligence report has exposed Russia as having an active role in influencing the next US President, writes Graeme Acton.

The man arrested after five people were shot dead at a Florida airport yesterday previously entered FBI offices speaking about mind control, the FBI says.

An Air Force veteran says he sprayed thousands of litres of the toxic chemical, Agent Orange, at a United States airbase on Guam, possibly contributing to several illnesses and deaths.

Thirty-five diplomats expelled by Barack Obama in response to Russia's alleged hacking have now left the US.

President Barack Obama has authorised a series of sanctions against Russia, saying the country intervened in the US presidential election.