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.
Salam set to be named Lebanon prime minister
Tamam Salam of the Western-backed opposition is to be named Lebanon's prime minister Saturday, two weeks after Najib Mikati resigned and effectively brought down his Hezbollah-dominated government.
US has 'real concerns' about Egypt: Kerry
The United States has "real concerns" about the direction being taken by the Egyptian government following recent arrests and political violence.
C.Africa's new post-coup government to start work
The Central African Republic's new post-coup government was due to hold its first meeting as soon as Tuesday, its spokesman said, as anger rose in South Africa over its military mission in the restive country.
Italy government talks end with no solution in sight
Italy remained in political limbo on Friday after talks to break a deadlock created by inconclusive polls ended with no solution in sight.
Italy struggles to break government deadlock
Italy was left struggling to form a government after leftist leader Pier Luigi Bersani on Thursday lost his bid to end an impasse created by elections with no clear winner in the eurozone's third-largest economy.
Brother of British Labour leader to step down as MP: report
British lawmaker David Miliband, who lost the 2010 battle for the leadership of the opposition Labour party to his younger brother Ed, is to stand down as an MP.
Britain tries to reassure bloggers on new press rules
The British government has insisted that bloggers and posts on social media would not be caught by a new system of press regulation, but campaigners warned the new rules could be open to interpretation.
Aid flowing to Myanmar may hinder, not help: experts
Governments and agencies must be wary of drowning Myanmar with well-intentioned but ill-targeted aid, experts warned Thursday, admonishing the global community to "first do no harm."
India to hand plots of land to rural poor: reports
India's government is drawing up a major new welfare reform which would hand small plots of land to millions of homeless poor in the countryside.
Australia gets first Aboriginal provincial government leader
The first Aboriginal to head a government in Australia took office on Thursday as chief minister of the Northern Territory, after staging a backroom coup.
Obama says US won't balance budget in next 10 years
President Barack Obama warned Tuesday America will not balance its budget within a decade because Republican plans to do so would entail slashing social programs many citizens rely on for support.
Kazakhstan to adopt Polish local government experience
A memorandum of experience exchange in local self-government has been signed between Poland and Kazakhstan.
Mexico moves to end telecom monopolies: government
Mexico's government introduced a draft constitutional reform Monday to end monopolies in telecoms industries that have built some of the country's biggest fortunes.