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.

• 23 February 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.

• 23 February 2010

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

• 23 February 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.

• 23 February 2010

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

• 23 February 2010

European Union foreign ministers condemn the use of forged passports in the assassination of a top Palestinian militant.

• 22 February 2010

European Union foreign ministers condemn the use of forged passports in the assassination of a top Palestinian militant.

• 22 February 2010

Two men and a woman, all German citizens, have been arrested for allegedly sending money to the Islamic Jihad Union. The organization is alleged to have planned attacks on German targets.

• 22 February 2010