La Paz  - Leopoldo Fernandez, the governor of the northern Bolivian province of Pando, was arrested Tuesday by the military, as they took control of provincial capital Cobija in response to an outbreak of violence in the region.

Bolivian television reported Fernandez was made to board a military aeroplane that was set to take him to La Paz just 15 minutes after his arrest.

Islamabad  - Pakistani security forces and armed tribesmen on Monday foiled an attempt by US troops to enter Pakistani territory by firing shots at them, security officials said.

The attacks came as Pakistani forces killed up to 20 Taliban militants in the tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Two US military helicopters crossed into Pakistan and tried to land near Angor Adda area of South Waziristan tribal district along the Afghan border before dawn, a local security official said.

Berlin  - Germa

The Hague - What colour hat will Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands wear when she presents the government's budget to both houses of parliament on Tuesday?

That, rather than government policies, was the question preoccupying most Dutch on the eve of Prinsjesdag - Prince's Day - the day that government is to make known its plans.

Ever since 1848, successive Dutch governments have presented their budget proposals on the third Tuesday in September at 1 pm sharp.

San Francisco  - California lawmakers are set to approve a new budget for the largest state in the US Monday night, allowing Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to end the longest budget impasse in California history.

The 77-day impasse was prompted by a record 15 billion dollar shortfall in state finances. The Democratic majority in the legislature wanted to raise taxes and avoid drastic cuts but were stymied by the Republicans. The budget needs a two-thirds vote to pass.

Brussels  - The Dutch government on Monday vetoed European Union attempts to implement a trade deal with Serbia, saying that Belgrade is still not cooperating fully with international war-crimes prosecutors.

"There is better cooperation, but I do not find myself in the position to be able to conclude that there is full cooperation," Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen told journalists after the meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels.