Former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest on July 1 after prosecutors said the hotel maid who accuses him of attempted rape lied to a grand jury and made other false statements.

Embattled Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi threatened to carry out attacks in Europe if NATO does not stop airstrikes against his regime in Libya.

Up to 3,500 guests are to attend lavish celebrations in Monaco to mark the wedding of Prince Albert II and South African swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

Poland is to take over the rotating presidency of the EU for the first time since it joined the bloc in 2004.

The sexual assault case against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was near collapse, sources said on Thursday, raising the prospect of his dramatic return to France's presidential election race.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) is celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Libyan rebels gathered on a ridge overlooking a strategic town only 80 km (50 miles) from Tripoli on June 30, preparing for a battle that could allow them to march directly to the seat of Muammar Gaddafi's power.

At least 13 people have been killed after a passenger bus in southern Afghanistan hit a roadside bomb, police officials say.

The US Senate on June 30 confirmed General David Petraeus as the new director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Retiring US Defense Secretary Robert Gates on June 30 wrapped up his four-and-a-half years in the Pentagon, with an unexpected gift from President Barack Obama.