A Dutch man and his German girlfriend, whose bodies were found on Monday, died of heat exhaustion in California's Joshua Tree National Park, officials say.

Former IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn is given back his passport after being cleared this week of sexual assault charges in New York.

Chile will investigate the 1974 death of Gen Alberto Bachelet, who died while serving a prison term for treason imposed by the military government of Gen Augusto Pinochet.

At least 13 people are killed in a series of separate attacks across Iraq, including a suicide bomb attack near a Shia mosque in Basra.

The UN urges all sides in Libya to take steps to avoid revenge attacks, as allegations emerge of abuses by rebels and Gaddafi loyalists.

Armed men set fire to a casino in Mexico's northern city of Monterrey, killing at least 30 people and injuring more.

Hurricane Irene damages homes and downs power lines in the Bahamas as it roars over the archipelago towards the US east coast.

Japan's beleaguered PM Naoto Kan announces his resignation, clearing the way for the country's sixth leader in five years.