A Polish court on Monday ordered an unemployed construction worker who stole a painting by famed 19th century French impressionist Claude Monet to be put under psychiatric observation. "Psychiatric experts will have four weeks to observe Robert Z. and prepare their opinion," Krystyna Blaszczak, spokeswoman for the Poznan regional court told AFP.

A 19th century painting of a Paris mill has been confirmed as the work of Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh, 35 years after its owner first made the claim, a museum in the Netherlands said Wednesday. The painting was authenticated by the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam after a comprehensive study that started in 2007.

rn The move was just the latest in a string of nationalization measures by the government of firebrand leftist leader Hugo Chavez affecting key strategic industries, including electric utilities, cement, steel, oil services and banking. "These measures are intended to ensure the fundamental rights of bank depositors and creditors.

The Republic of Rwanda has discharged more than 1,900 Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) soldiers in a regular demobilisation phase.

Morocco's foreign ministry said Thursday it would close its Caracas embassy to protest Venezuela's alleged support for the Polisario, the independence movement for Western Sahara.

The German financial market watchdog Bafin said Tuesday it was checking whether Commerzbank, Germany's second biggest bank, respected regulations in announcing its partial nationalisation.

German markets emerged from shell-shock Friday following news the state will take a 25 percent stake in the second biggest bank, Commerzbank, so it can manage a costly takeover of the troubled...

Shares in the second biggest German bank, Commerzbank, fell sharply in early Frankfurt trading on Friday as investors digested news that the state would take a stake of 25 percent plus one share.

Germany's second biggest bank, Commerzbank, will be partially nationalised, with the state taking just over 25 percent in exchange for a 10-billion-euro (13.6-billion-dollar) capital injection.

Germany's second biggest bank, Commerzbank is to be recapitalised again, with the state taking 25 percent plus one share in return for 10 billion euros (13.6 billion dollars) in fresh funds.