A proposal from Republicans in the House of Representatives has been rejected by Democrats, continuing the shutdown of the federal government.

The proposal would have raised the debt ceiling beyond the current $16.7tn, but Democrats rejected the suggested amendments to Obama’s healthcare law.

If congress cannot reach a deal by Thursday, the US for the first time will default on its debt.

In a letter addressed to the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, Human Rights Watch urged Abbott to discuss rights issues with Asian leaders, and refrain from giving them a ‘free pass’.

The letter outlined Australia’s opportunity to make a significant progress in the region, with the right mixture of pressure and engagement.

Manchester’s airport is going to see a huge transformation worth £800m, partly funded by a Chinese construction company.

George Osborne, currently on a tour of China, announced the deal between Beijing Construction Engineering Group, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), UK construction group Carillion, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund which will see ‘Airport City’ being built by 2028, creating over 16,000 jobs.

The largest group in Syria’s opposition coalition says it will not take part in the proposed United Nations peace negotiations arranged in Geneva.

The Syrian National Council (SNC) leader George Sabra, said that he conditions for talks were not right whilst Syrians continued to suffer.

The African Union has called on the International Criminal Court to defer the trial of the Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta.

The trial, due to start in November, is on charges of crimes against humanity.

The AU has agreed during the summit in Addis Ababa that they would back immunity for sitting leaders of African countries.

UK Chancellor George Osborne has announced that visa restrictions for Chinese nationals will be relaxed, in order to make it easier for visitors from China.

"These changes will streamline and simplify the visa application process for Chinese visitors, while ensuring the system is strong and secure," said Osborne.

Spain’s highest criminal court has agreed to hear a lawsuit against former Chinese President Hu Jintao, as part of an investigation into whether genocide was carried out in Tibet.

The decision was made after an appeal against an earlier court decision to drop the case in June. Judges ruled they were competent to carry on with the case because one of the plaintiffs, Thubten Wangchen, holds Spanish citizenship.