Deadlock, demos loom after tight Bulgarian election
The European Union's poorest country Bulgaria faced fresh political uncertainty Monday after inconclusive elections held three months after the biggest demonstrations in years forced the government to resign.
Berlusconi affirms loyalty to coalition government
Silvio Berlusconi affirmed over the weekend his centre-right movement's loyalty to the grand coalition government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta at a rally in a northern city which attracted noisy support and dissent.
Philippine holds elections vital for Aquino reforms
The Philippines held elections Monday seen as crucial for President Benigno Aquino's bold reform agenda, as deadly violence and graft-tainted candidates underlined the nation's deep-rooted problems.
New Pakistan government to hold firm on Taliban
Pakistan's incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif looks set to be a pragmatic ally of Washington, unlikely to end the war against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban as he seeks to focus on fixing the economy.
Immigration tops British government's agenda for the year
The British government will set out its legislative programme for the coming year on Wednesday, with immigration top of the agenda in a Queen's Speech aimed at people who "work hard and want to get on".
Dotcom's lawyers say prosecution threatens Internet freedom
Lawyers for Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom accused the US government Wednesday of launching a flawed prosecution against their client with "frightening" implications for all Internet users.
South Africa government in crisis over wedding scandal
South Africa's government announced the suspension of a slew of officials and military personnel Friday, as it tried to limit the political and diplomatic fallout from a lavish Indian wedding.
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.
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.
Archbishop says OK with irking British PM on economy
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby accepted in an interview aired Saturday that he had probably ruffled the British government's feathers with his comments on the bleak state of the economy.
Spanish government in new bid to revive economy
Spain's government, seeking to cut its deficit amidst a double-dip recession, is to unveil new measures Friday aimed at reviving the economy, a day after registering record unemployment.
Moderate leftist Letta nominated to lead Italy
An Italian leftist politician, Enrico Letta, was nominated to be the new prime minister on Wednesday, bringing to an end a bitter two-month deadlock on forming a new government.
Morocco opposition Islamists warn of 'explosion'
Morocco's main Islamist opposition group said the country is run by a shadow government and warned dire social and economic conditions could cause an "explosion" among disaffected youths.
India reaches 'broad consensus' on land acquisition bill
India's main political parties have struck a "broad consensus" on a contentious land acquisition bill to better reward landowners whose property is bought for industrial development.
Indonesia moves towards approving deforestation plan
The Indonesian government has said it aims to approve within a month a plan that would free up vast swathes of protected virgin rainforest on Sumatra island for commercial exploitation.
Spain vows to tighten abortion law despite criticism
Spain's centre-right government has vowed to "promptly" tighten the nation's abortion laws, angering the opposition Socialist Party which had eased access to the procedure.
French ministers face first-ever assets declaration
French ministers will for the first time on Monday disclose their assets, in a move President Francois Hollande's Socialist government hopes will restore public confidence after a tax fraud scandal.
Croatia's flagging support to join EU to be tested by vote
Not so long ago, Croatia was ebullient at the prospect of becoming the EU's newest member in July this year.
French ministers to declare assets publicly after scandal
France's Socialist government said Monday it had ordered ministers to declare their assets publicly within days, as it seeks to limit the damage from a tax fraud scandal involving an ex-minister.
Spanish youth protest around the world against unemployment
Spanish youths demonstrated Sunday in cities across Spain and near the country's embassies abroad against sky-high unemployment and poor working conditions.