US rescuers comb tornado-hit area

The rescue effort after the Oklahoma twister that killed 24 people nears an end, as it emerges the storm was more powerful than thought.

Ahmadinejad to contest bar on ally

Iran's President Ahmadinejad says he will contest the disqualification of his ally Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei from next month's presidential poll.

Stockholm suburbs gripped by riots

Rioters light fires and stone emergency services in the suburbs of the Swedish capital Stockholm for the third night running after a police shooting death.

SAP in autism recruitment drive

German software company SAP says it hopes to recruit hundreds of people with autism, saying they have a unique talent for information technology.

Kenya leaders named in truth report

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy are named in connection with post-election violence in a long-awaited report investigating human rights abuses.

Egyptian hostages freed in Sinai

Mohamed Morsi calls for the people of Sinai to give up their arms after seven members of the Egyptian security forces abducted in the region are freed.

Tax and energy to dominate EU summit

EU leaders will seek to curb tax evasion, which costs EU states 1tn euros a year, and bring down energy prices to boost competition.

N Korea leader sends envoy to China

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has sent a special envoy to Beijing, state media announces, amid cooling relations after weeks of tension.

Japan approves child abduction pact

Japan's parliament votes to adopt an international treaty on cross-border child custody disputes, after years of pressure from the West.

IPL cricketer denies spot-fixing

Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested last week over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, insists he is innocent.

US immigration bill passes hurdle

A sweeping immigration bill that would offer a chance of citizenship to millions living in the US illegally takes a stride forward in Congress.

Imran Khan discharged from hospital

Pakistani politician Imran Khan is discharged from hospital two weeks after falling from a platform at an election campaign rally.

Russia: Eurovision snub 'outrageous'

Russia's foreign minister calls Azerbaijan's failure to award any Eurovision points to Russia "outrageous" and promises a response.

Pacy pigeon Bolt sets world record

A Belgian racing pigeon called Bolt is sold to a Chinese businessman for a world record price of 310,000 euros (£260,000; $400,000).

Record closing high for US shares

Shares on Wall Street picked up on Tuesday to a new all-time high as investors bet that the US central bank would continue supporting the economy.

US tax officials deny foul play

US tax officials tell a congressional hearing they did not know their agency had targeted conservative groups.

Rios Montt's conviction annulled

Guatemala's top court throws out the genocide conviction of ex-leader Efrain Rios, whose trial will now be restarted from the middle of proceedings.

Venezuela ends toilet paper shortage

Venezuela's National Assembly backs plans to import 39 million rolls of toilet paper, in an effort to relieve a chronic shortage.

Nigeria to free 'terror' women

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan orders the release of all women held over "terrorist activity" - a Boko Haram condition for holding peace talks.

Deadly virus kills Tunisian man

A man has died of the novel coronavirus (NCoV) in Tunisia, in what is believed to be the first such case in Africa.

Afghan interpreters to get UK visas

Up to 600 Afghan interpreters who worked alongside British troops are set to be given the right to live in the UK, in an apparent climbdown by ministers.

Parents quit Singapore death probe

The family of a US man found hanged in Singapore withdraw from an inquiry into his death, saying they no longer have confidence in the system.

Notre-Dame suicide a 'political act'

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen says a suicide in Notre-Dame Cathedral was "political", in a remark condemned by the ruling party.

Vatican denies 'exorcism' by Pope

The Vatican denies media reports that Pope Francis performed an exorcism, after pictures showed a man apparently reacting as he was prayed for.

Ten die in Lebanon sectarian clashes

At least 10 people die and 70 are wounded in four days of Syria-linked sectarian violence in Lebanon's capital, Tripoli.

Syria and Israel in exchange of fire

Israeli and Syrian forces trade fire across the ceasefire line in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights.

Man charged over Hyde Park bombing

A 61-year-old man is charged with the murder of four soldiers in the 1982 IRA bombing in Hyde Park, the Crown Prosecution Service says.

Cregan admits father and son murders

Police killer Dale Cregan admits the murders of a father and son in Greater Manchester.

Sony to discuss spin-off suggestion

Sony says it will consider a proposal from one of its biggest shareholders that it should spin off up to 20% of its entertainment business.

Microsoft unveils Xbox One console

Microsoft unveils the third generation of its video games console in an event at its headquarters at Redmond, Washington.