Maduro probes purported US involvement in Air France drug cache
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Wednesday he was investigating whether US drug enforcement agents were involved in a huge cocaine drug bust as part of a plot to brand Venezuela a "narco state."
White House talks fail to end government shutdown
Talks between an exasperated President Barack Obama and top Republicans failed to end a government shutdown, with both sides accusing the other of refusing to negotiate.
03 October 2013
Maduro warns US all its diplomats could be thrown out
Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro lashed out at the United States anew Wednesday, warning after he expelled three US diplomats in Caracas that the rest could be next.
03 October 2013
Berlusconi drops bid to oust govt in shock U-turn
Former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi abandoned his bid to topple Enrico Letta's government in a humiliating climbdown after key allies rebelled against his leadership.
03 October 2013
Obama says he admires pontiff's inclusive spirit
President Barack Obama had warm words Wednesday for what he sees as Pope Francis' inclusive attitude in recent remarks urging the Roman Catholic church not to focus only on abortion or gays.
Italy's Letta tipped to defeat Berlusconi challenge
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta is tipped to win a nail-biting parliamentary confidence vote Wednesday which would deal a major blow to Silvio Berlusconi but could leave Italy more frail than ever.
02 October 2013
British PM offers vision beyond austerity
British Prime Minister David Cameron will on Wednesday seek to convince voters that he has more to offer than austerity, promising a "land of opportunity" built on pro-business values.
Next Norwegian government to get tough on immigration
Norway's incoming government will get tough on immigration, future prime minister Erna Solberg, said Monday as she presented the main policies of the minority coalition she is forming with a populist right-wing party.
02 October 2013
Australia's first female PM's 'murderous rage' over sexism
Australia's first female premier Julia Gillard has described her "murderous rage" at her sexist treatment but said she would do it all again in her first public appearance since being dumped.
Obama addresses troops on shutdown impact
US President Barack Obama told US troops in a video message early Tuesday that they would still get paid on time, despite a government shutdown.
01 October 2013
Deadline missed, US slides into government shutdown
The US lurched into a dreaded government shutdown for the first time in 17 years, triggering agency closures and hundreds of thousands of furloughs as Congress missed a deadline to pass a budget.
