MOSCOW, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- China is going to play a major role in the global space exploration program. Soon a new center for space research may emerge in the Eastern Hemisphere and push the current players aside.

MUNICH, Germany, April 19 (UPI) -- The European Union could have a single patent system covering all 27 countries within five years, an EU commissioner said Thursday.

BERLIN, June 14 (UPI) -- A top EU official blamed globalization for recent electoral defeats of the proposed EU constitution.

BERLIN, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A German environmental group accused 100 politicians of being paid off by automakers, Deutsche-Welle reported Thursday.

SOFIA, Bulgaria, June 9 (UPI) -- Bulgaria may close European Union accession talks by June 30, European Union Enlargement Commissioner Guenter Verheugen was quoted as saying Wednesday.

BELGIUM, Belgium, April 26 (UPI) -- The European Union, still angry over the Greek Cypriot rejection of reunification, was considering its next action Monday, European media reported.

NICOSIA, Cyprus, April 23 (UPI) -- A double referendum on a U.N. reunification plan for Cyprus has little chance of passing Saturday because Greek Cypriots are expected to vote against it.

BUCHAREST, Romania, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- The European Union has asked Romania to explain the adoption of its orphans overseas, which continues despite a Romanian government ban on the practice.