Dutch enthrone '21st-century king' Willem-Alexander
Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch on Tuesday when his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicates and his country hails the avowedly 21st-century king with a massive, orange-hued party.
30 April 2013
Obama tells Putin concerned over Syria chemical arms
President Barack Obama stepped up pressure on Russia over Syria on Monday, telling President Vladimir Putin of his concern about the reported use of chemical weapons by the Damascus regime.
30 April 2013
Venezuela vote audit, rejected by opposition, begins
Venezuelan authorities on Monday began a partial audit of the disputed election won by the late Hugo Chavez's handpicked successor, as the opposition rejected the move as insufficient.
30 April 2013
Merkel lambasted by France despite her softer tone
An attack by French Socialists on Angela Merkel's drive for belt-tightening coincides with concessions by the German chancellor on austerity, but five months from elections she is loathe to trumpet her flexibility.
Malaysia braces for its closest election ever When Malaysian voters cast ballots in Sunday's general election it will be the first time in the country's history that they do so without knowing the eventual winner.
30 April 2013
New Italy PM to unveil programme for change Italy's new Prime Minister Enrico Letta was set to unveil his coalition government's programme on Monday, under the watchful gaze of international markets and European partners.
30 April 2013
French ministers warn against picking fight with Germany Senior French ministers warned Monday against picking a fight with Germany after the ruling Socialists accused Chancellor Angela Merkel of being "selfish" in her drive for eurozone austerity.
29 April 2013
British minister urges rich to give back state handouts The British government minister pushing through strongly criticised reforms of the welfare state urged rich pensioners on Sunday to give back any handouts they don't need.
29 April 2013
Italy cabinet swearing-in marred by shooting Italy's new coalition government was sworn in on Sunday, but a ceremony symbolising a fresh start for the recession-wracked country was overshadowed by a shooting outside government headquarters.
29 April 2013
Greece adopts bill to cut 15,000 civil servant jobs The Greek parliament voted late Sunday to adopt a law that provides for the dismissal of 15,000 civil servants as part of austerity measures imposed by the country's international creditors.
29 April 2013
Minister Abdenov asks to set egg-thrower freeSerik Abdenov has submitted an application to the court of Almaty stating that he had no claims against Andrey Tsukanov who threw eggs at him during the press-conference in Almaty.
Violence restricts Pakistan's election campaign Attacks by the Pakistani Taliban are forcing the main party in the country's restive northwest, an important battleground in the upcoming general election, to campaign in the shadows.