A US congressman was replaced by a robot body double after he was secretly executed, and the results of a recent vote should be thrown out, his opponent has claimed.

From igloos to heli lodges in the Canadian wilderness, Jennifer Ennion looks at three of the Northern Hemisphere's top snow hotels.

James Robinson goes on a fruitless celeb hunt at the Sundance Film Festival.

A bumper corn harvest in 2013 means stockpiles in the US, the world's biggest grower, are rising at the fastest pace in nine years.

His toddler son was left for seven hours in a car in the summer heat. Now the decision to charge a US dad with murder is proving controversial.

Head to the capital of Massachusetts for a dose of history and some great events.

Fallingwater is standing the test of time despite doubts, says Heather McCracken.

In the mid-1990s, Gus, a polar bear in the Central Park Zoo, alarmed visitors by compulsively swimming figure eights in his pool, sometimes for 12 hours a day.

A Jamaican man accused of being a violent pimp who forced women into prostitution in Australia will face trial in a Miami, Florida, court.

US-style pizza caught on here. Now Kiwis' on-the-go meal is doing the same over there, writes Megan Singleton.

"Sea," said King Canute, the 11th-century Danish King of England, "I command you to come no further!"

If you're a fan of unusual signs and statues, make sure you stop for a photo with one of these on your next American road trip.

Grant Bradley gets a lift at a museum that celebrates the right stuff.

It is what everyone who stands out on a glass floor at the top of a skyscraper fears the most.

Old and new set sail from opposite sides of the river, writes Carolyn Thompson.

President Barack Obama sought to redefine the notion of a muscular US foreign policy yesterday, warning against "military adventures" and saying America must lead the world through diplomacy and aid, not war.

Sometimes there's nothing like a chilly holiday to leave you feeling invigorated.

Andrew Louis hones his ski skills — and falls in love.

Prince Charles has compared Vladimir Putin to Adolf Hitler over Russia's actions in Ukraine.

For a musical experience you won't soon forget, head to one of these four spots.

Elvis Presley's spirit keeps music lovers flocking to Memphis, writes Adrian Sainz.

Brett Atkinson finds plenty to keep him busy in the city that gave us the world's first farmers' market.

James Ihaka enjoys fine vodka in optimum conditions.

There are some great skifields in the States that won't cost you a fortune, writes Jennifer Ennion.

Get your art, science, culture or history fix at one of these monumental museums.

Veronique Dupont finds a veritable treasure trove of contemporary art in the desert city of Marfa.

Circles in the sky have become a hip way to view a city, so prepare your cabin for 'flight', says Peter Hamling.

A Cold War-era U-2 spy plane was the cause of a major collapse in air traffic control systems in California which delayed hundreds of flights.