New king for the Netherlands

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated on Tuesday, handing over to her eldest son, Willem-Alexander, who became the first king of the Netherlands in more than 120 years.

Bangladesh defends decision to snub foreign aid

Bangladesh on Tuesday defended its decision to snub foreign aid after the collapse of a factory complex as anger flared at the recovery operation and toward the building's owner when he appeared in court.

Mexico to stress economic agenda with US

Mexico is ending the widespread access it gave to security agencies in the United States in the name of fighting drug trafficking and organized crime as the country's new government seeks to change its focus from violence to its emerging economy.

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Syrian PM survives attack

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halki survived a bomb attack on his convoy in Damascus on Monday, state media and activists said, as rebels struck in the heart of President Bashar al-Assad's capital.

Austerity is bad for your health, say researchers

Austerity is having a devastating effect on health in Europe and North America, driving suicide, depression and infectious diseases and reducing access to medicines and care, researchers said on Monday.

No more survivors likely in collapse

Rescue workers in Bangladesh gave up hopes of finding any more survivors in the remains of a building that collapsed five days ago, and began using heavy machinery on Monday to dislodge the rubble and look for bodies - mostly of workers in garment factories there.

Seoul's iconic Namdaemun gate gets new lease of life

Five years after it was reduced to ashes in an arson attack, the newly rebuilt Namdaemun gate in South Korea was unveiled on Monday after a painstaking reconstruction costing millions of dollars.

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China seeks to enhance relations with Argentina

China is seeking to deepen its ties with Argentina "with a more comprehensive and strategic vision", Premier Li Keqiang told a visiting high-ranking Argentine official on Sunday.

Bangladesh factory disaster toll hits 362

Bangladesh rescuers on Sunday located nine people alive inside the rubble of a multi-story building that collapsed five days ago, as authorities announced they will now use heavy equipment to drill a central hole from the top to find survivors and dead bodies.

Mississippi man connected to ricin letters charged

A Mississippi martial arts instructor was charged on Saturday with attempting to use a biological weapon after a ricin-laced letter was sent to President Barack Obama earlier this month, the US Department of Justice said.