AFP - The 19th World Petroleum Congress opened in Madrid on Sunday night, with key players in the sector meeting to discuss the future of the industry amid soaring oil prices and a widening gulf between consumer nations and producers.

AP - Showers and thunderstorms were expected to pass through Great Lakes and into the Southern Plains, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Sunday. There was a slight chance of severe weather including possible tornadoes along the eastern seaboard.

AP - Nebraska's largest city struggled Saturday to restore power to thousands of residents a day after a severe storm damaged homes, uprooted trees and killed two people in a neighboring community.

AP - The most powerful atom-smasher ever built could make some bizarre discoveries, such as invisible matter or extra dimensions in space, after it is switched on in August.

AFP - Genes can affect whether people tend to vote in elections or not, according to a US study released this week that suggested that the urge to cast a ballot is inherited.