As the Democratic Republic of the Congo struggles to assert control over vital minerals such as copper and cobalt, infrastructure and investment -- not to mention foreign influence -- are increasingly crucial questions.

The rise of the center-right Fidesz party in recent Hungarian elections could signal future frictions with neighboring states.

The sovereign debt crisis in Greece has precipitated investor uncertainty about the "Club Med" countries and the eurozone as a whole.

The al Shabaab jihadist group reportedly sent fighters into Harardhere, a pirate stronghold, on April 25 and 26 -- marking a rare foray into pirate territory.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met April 26 with governors from 61 provinces, who were empowered to declare states of emergency in their own regions.

Greece has requested the activation of a European Union-International Monetary Fund aid mechanism, following Eurostat revelations on April 22 that the country’s 2009 budget deficit was greater than previously known.

The center-right Open VLD party withdrew from Belgium's coalition government, triggering its collapse, on April 22, saying it had lost faith in Brussels' ability to resolve disputes between French- and Dutch-speaking parties.

As European airlines begin to recover from their ash-induced grounding, attention is turning to Iceland's history of volcanic activity.

Rio Tinto is exploring parts of western Serbia for jadarite -- a substance, found along the Jadar River, that contains both lithium and boron.

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is struggling to assert control over copper and cobalt, mined in the Katanga region along the border.