Mark Rutte

European Union leaders wrestled on Thursday with German demands for strict austerity and a French-led push for growth-friendly spending at a summit targeted by thousands of protesters angered by rampant unemployment.

New US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel landed in Afghanistan on Friday on an unannounced visit nine days after he was sworn into office, vowing to ensure a successful withdrawal of international troops.

The Netherlands' Liberal-Labour coalition government said Friday they had agreed to slash over four billion euros from the 2014 budget in the hope of driving down the deficit to Europe's three percent ceiling.

Famed worldwide for their merrymaking abilities, the Dutch on Tuesday set to preparing an "unforgettable" party for the coronation of their new king Willem Alexander on April 30.

The Netherlands' energetic Queen Beatrix, who on Monday announced she would abdicate in favour of crown prince Willem Alexander in April, has won many Dutch hearts in her almost 33 years on the throne by giving the monarchy a modern, hard-working image.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands announced Monday that she would abdicate in favour of her son Crown Prince Willem Alexander after 33 years in power.

Dutch Queen Beatrix is expected to announce later Monday her abdication in favour of her son after 33 years on the throne, Dutch media reported.

British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted he was not turning his back on Europe as he came face to face with world leaders for the first time since unveiling plans for an EU referendum.

Ukraine and the global oil giant Royal Dutch Shell signed Thursday a $10 billion shale gas production sharing agreement aimed at helping the ex-Soviet nation ease its dependence on Russia.

British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Thursday he was not turning his back on Europe as the global elite at the annual Davos meeting gave his referendum plans a frosty reception.

British Prime Minister David Cameron insisted Thursday he was not turning his back on Europe as the global elite at the annual Davos meeting gave his referendum plans a frosty reception.

British Prime Minister David Cameron faced a frosty reception from the global elite at the annual Davos meeting on Thursday after his vow to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

Prime Minister David Cameron faces a frosty reception from the global elite at the annual Davos meeting on Thursday after his vow to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

British Prime Minister David Cameron faces a frosty reception from the global elite at the annual Davos meeting on Thursday after his vow to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU.

The country should brace itself for "the possibility of bad news" from Algeria on Friday with the emergence of more details about the gas-field hostage crisis, Prime Minister David Cameron has warned.

Prime Minister David Cameron has postponed a major EU speech planned for Friday because of the Algerian hostage crisis and warned Britain should brace itself for "the possibility of bad news ahead".

The Dutch are increasingly uneasy about Prime Minister David Cameron going to the Netherlands to make his speech on Britain's future in Europe, with some critics saying he'd be better off staying at home.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will give a long-awaited speech on his country's future relationship with the European Union in the Netherlands on Friday, his Downing Street office said.

Prime Minister David Cameron will give a long-awaited speech on Britain's future relationship with the European Union in the Netherlands on Friday, his Downing Street office said Monday.

The Dutch cabinet on Friday gave the go-ahead to sending NATO Patriot missiles to Turkey to defend its border against Syria, along with a maximum 360 soldiers to operate them.