The US has reached out to Syria in a bid to harness its influence and engage with problematic Middle East leaders. Renewed ties between the two countries bring cautious hope of breakthroughs on a number of issues.

• February 24, 2010

Argentina's regional allies have backed its claim to the Falkland Islands as a dispute with Britain over oil escalates. The UK has started to drill in waters off the islands, a move Argentina has formally objected to.

• February 24, 2010

Bosnia-Herzegovina is a divided country, overseen by an international authority, which is meeting in Sarajevo on Wednesday. A new law that could eventually pave the way to splitting the country is sure to top the agenda.

• February 24, 2010

A law proposed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's government would greatly reduce subsidies for solar energy production, and in some cases eliminate them all together.

• February 23, 2010

Authorities in Belarus have declared Germany's legendary hard rock band Rammstein a threat to the state. They've banned an upcoming concert in Minsk, saying letting it go on would be a "costly mistake" for the country.

• February 23, 2010

China tightens controls on internet use, requiring anyone who wants to set up a website to meet regulators and produce ID documents.

• February 23, 2010

Leading European think-tanks propose new approaches in development policy to cope with future challenges. The EU should take on more prominent role in the area, argue this week's commenators Sven Grimm and Simon Maxwell.

• February 23, 2010

Western diplomats express deep concern at a decree by Afghan President Hamid Karzai giving him control of the election watchdog.

• February 23, 2010