Two big cases addressing marriage rights for gays and lesbians are on track to reach the US Supreme Court as soon as this year, keeping the focus on an issue President Barack Obama reignited with his endorsement this week.
Argentina's seizure of 51% of the shares of Spanish oil group Repsol's YPF unit could scare away international firms from investing in the South American country, the International Energy Agency said today.
Greece, Portugal and Ireland must meet their obligations under bailout agreements reached with international lenders, the head of the International Monetary Fund said today.
Spain agreed to commission an independent audit of its financial system today, trying to dispel market concerns that a state-funded bank bailout, set to be approved by the cabinet, could strain public finances to breaking point.
Syrian forces foiled an attempted suicide car bombing in the northern city of Aleppo today, state television said, a day after two bombs in the capital killed at least 55 people.
The Spanish Civil Guard detained today two British citizens for an alleged bomb threat at a flight from Manchester to Tenerife today.
Shares of US banks slumped after JPMorgan said it lost billions of dollars on bad trades, but the overall market ended only modestly lower, thanks to gains in technology shares. Meanwhile, European shares staged a late rally.
Euro zone governments kept Greece afloat after agreeing a payment of 5.2 billion euros (4.17 billion pounds) from the region's bailout fund, despite opposition from some member states following the Greek election results. Meanwhile, socialist leader Evangelos Venizelos began a last-gasp attempt to form a government after failed Sunday elections.
Global stocks advanced for the first time in seven sessions today on relatively encouraging US jobs data and improved investor sentiment regarding Europe's festering debt crisis.
The countdown to the London Olympics began with the kindling of the Games torch by the sun's rays in ancient Olympia today, sparking a relay that will culminate with the lighting of the Olympic stadium's cauldron at the opening ceremony on July 27.