The US House of Representatives is poised for a historic vote that could bring into law the biggest changes to the country's healthcare system in half a century.

Barack Obama used today's State of the Union speech to show how he is seizing the reins on the economic worries foremost on Americans' minds.

United States President Barack Obama is hours away from delivering his State of the Union address at a time when even his most ardent supporters are becoming disillusioned.

A Sri Lankan reporter has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for writing articles critical of the government's military operations.