Spain's governing socialists have suffered heavy losses in local and regional elections overshadowed by nationwide mass protests.

UN Security Council envoys urge North Sudan to "withdraw immediately" its troops from the contested Abyei region on the border with South Sudan.

Ousted Honduran leader Manuel Zelaya signs an accord with his successor, Porfirio Lobo, which will allow him to return to Honduras from exile.

A pioneering technique beats its own record for data rates, registering 26 terabits per second and using comparatively little power.

US President Barack Obama is on his way to the Republic of Ireland at the start of a week-long tour of Europe, which also includes the UK, France and Poland.

The leaders of Japan, China and South Korea agree at summit to speed up discussions on a possible free-trade deal.

As many as 30 people are reported killed after a tornado tore through the city of Joplin in the US state of Missouri, officials say.

A spokesman for South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak says the Chinese prime minster has confirmed a visit by North leader Kim Jong-il.