Venezuela threatens oil, trade measures in vote row with US
Venezuela stepped up attacks on the United States Monday, threatening retaliatory measures affecting trade and energy if Washington resorts to sanctions in a row over the country's disputed presidential election.
France to approve gay marriage but debate to rumble on
France's parliament will finally approve a bill to legalise gay marriage on Tuesday after months of protests that have shown no sign of abating in the run-up to the historic vote.
EU gives oil boost to Syria rebels
Syrian rebels fighting President President Bashar al-Assad's troops won a fresh boost Monday when the European Union eased its oil embargo to let them exploit the resources they control.
EU set to help Syria's rebels by easing oil embargo
The European Union is set Monday to ease its oil embargo against Syria in favour of rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad's regime in its latest signal of support to the opposition.
22 April 2013
Vatican urges dialogue in crisis-hit Venezuela
The Roman Catholic Church weighed in Sunday on Venezuela's political crisis, with Pope Francis expressing deep concern and calling for dialogue in the wake of a disputed presidential election.
22 April 2013
Protesters in final bid to block France gay marriage law
Tens of thousands of opponents of government plans to legalise gay marriage marched in Paris Sunday two days before a final vote on the bill, which has provoked fierce and sometimes violent protests.
22 April 2013
N. Korea missile test could take months: South
The wait for North Korea's expected missile test, which has kept South Korean and US forces on heightened alert for the past two weeks, may stretch to July.
22 April 2013
Cartes wins Paraguay presidential vote
Millionaire businessman Horacio Cartes of the opposition Colorado Party, a political neophyte with alleged drug ties, won Paraguay's presidential race.
22 April 2013
France's opponents of gay marriage fight to the end
France's bitter debate over gay marriage is set to reach a potentially explosive climax on Sunday, two days before a bill legalising same-sex unions is due to be finally approved.
21 April 2013
Italy centre-left leader Bersani to resign
Voting for a new Italian president headed towards a fifth round Saturday, after the political deadlock claimed another victim, with centre-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani saying he will step down.