Flanked by his family and before Spain’s Parliament, Felipe VI was formally proclaimed the new king of Spain Thursday, following the abdication of his father, Juan Carlos.

The new king, clad in military uniform and flanked by his wife and daughters, also swore an oath before the packed parliamentary chamber.

In an address, the new king spoke of his respect for the Parliament and the nation — as well as his own emotion at becoming the monarch of “a great nation” he loves and admires.

Felipe paid tribute to his father’s “extraordinary” legacy over nearly four decades, including his leadership as the country returned to democracy following the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975.

He also thanked his mother, Queen Sofia, for a lifetime of hard work and devotion to the Spanish people.

The proclamation ceremony is a more subdued affair than a coronation, without the pomp of foreign dignitaries and elaborate ceremonies.

On June 17 the meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Germany Edward Nalbandian and Frank-Walter Steinmeier took place in Berlin.

Welcoming the Foreign Minister of Armenia, the Head of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany mentioned that he recalled with warmth their first meeting 6 years ago in June, 2008, expressed satisfaction with the high level of active political dialogue and highlighted that Germany is interested in further development of cooperation with Armenia.

Expressing gratitude for the invitation to visit Berlin, Minister Nalbandian mentioned that the Armenian-German relations consistently developed over the past 2 decades, moreover new impetus was given during the latest period and the political dialogue established between the two states and the high-level visits paid serve as the best evidence to this. The Minister expressed confidence over the possibility to further deepen and expand bilateral cooperation through the continuous exertion of joint efforts. Armenia’s Foreign Minister stressed that Germany is one of the major economic partners of the RA in Europe, providing continues assistance for Armenia-development program.

The Ministers highlighted with satisfaction the strong legal framework between the two countries that comprises approximately 3 dozens of treaties and agreements, the development of partnership in international organizations, the high level of the inter-parliamentary contacts, the expansion of business ties, i.e. around 100 companies with German capital operate in Armenia, the activation of cooperation in the areas of education and culture. The sides noted with satisfaction the efficient cooperation of Armenia and Germany in the frameworks of peacekeeping operations, especially in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Germany touched upon a number of issues on international and regional agendas – current talks over Iran’s nuclear program, the developments in Ukraine, Syrian crisis, the situation in Iraq.

Minister Nalbandian presented to the German counterpart the efforts exerted by Armenia and the international community towards the peaceful settlement of Karabakh conflict.

The Ministers touched upon Armenia-EU relations. The sides stressed the willingness to continue comprehensive cooperation in all possible areas.

The FMs of Armenia and Germany agreed to hold meetings on a regular basis.

Minister Nalbandian invited the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany to pay a visit to Armenia.

Edward Nalbandian and Frank-Walter Steinmeier held a briefing with the journalists.

On the same day Edward Nalbandian met Christoph Heusgen, Adviser on Foreign and Security Policy to the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. The sides thoroughly discussed a number of international and regional issues.

Her face said it all – Angela Merkel loves football.

And after watching her national side thump Portugal in their opening match at the World Cup in Brazil, the German Chancellor looks as chuffed as a 10-year-old fan as she posed with the team in the dressing room.

The team’s star striker Lukas Podolski even posted a happy selfie with the Germany’s leader following the 4-0 drubbing.

The 59-year-old football fan threw her arms aloft in celebration as she watched the ruthlessly-efficient Die Mannschaft from the stands in Salvador.

The dignitaries around her – which included former France star and current Uefa chief Michael Platini – were more controlled.

Russian state-owned gas firm Gazprom says it has cut off supplies to Ukraine after negotiators failed to resolve a payment dispute before a key deadline expired.

Representatives from Ukraine, Russia and the European Union held meetings over the weekend in an effort to avert the crisis, but no agreement was reached.

Gazprom said Monday that Ukraine’s total debt is $4.5 billion. The state-owned gas firm will now only deliver gas that Ukraine has paid for in advance.

Both sides said they have filed claims with an international arbitration court in Stockholm.

The gas dispute between Moscow and Kiev has escalated as relations between the two countries have deteriorated.

Europe and the U.S. have imposed sanctions on Russia for its annexation of Crimea, while analysts have accused Russia of using natural gas supplies as a political tool.

In recent weeks, violence has again flared in eastern Ukraine as government forces clashed with pro-Russian militants. The military conflict was clearly having an effect on gas negotiations.

Europe relies on Russia for more than 30% of its gas, and half of that is pumped through Ukraine. Analysts worry that a disruption in supplies to Ukraine could hurt European companies and households.

Kupriyanov said Monday that “gas designated for European consumers is flowing in full accordance with the contract’s figures.”

There’s a teacher in Italy who has very few problems controlling her class – because there’s only one pupil in it.

In fact, there’s only one pupil in the entire school.

The elementary in the tiny town of Alpette, Turin, is believed to be the smallest in the world and is attended by eight-year-old Sofia Viola.

The third-grade student is taught all her subjects by 33-year-old Isabella Carvelli – the only teacher at the school.
And she admits it is sometimes so lonely she has to imagine there are other children in the classroom.

Sofia hasn’t always been the only student at the school, which used to be the city hall.

Last year there were four older pupils but they moved on when they finished fifth grade.

Next year, she will be joined by some pupils from kindergarten – but for now she has the whole classroom to herself.

Sofia’s favourite subjects are Italian and English and she loves school outings in to the surrounding mountains.

She also gets to visit a larger school twice a week where she socialises with other children her age.

When faced with a tricky question about East German washing machines, who should you call for help?

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to one politician appearing on the country’s celebrity version of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ last night.

Wolfgang Bosbach, the deputy leader of Ms Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union, was filmed using his ‘Phone A Friend’ lifeline to call his political ally twice on the TV quiz show.

But unfortunately for him, it appeared Ms Merkel was not playing along at home as she failed to pick up her phone both times.

Mr Bosbach, 61, had been left stumped by a question asking why the East German WM66 washing machine was so legendary.

Had he answered correctly, he would have won 500,000 euros (£407,000) to spend on good causes, according to The Local.

Mr Bosbach, who has been a Conservative German MP for 20 years, explained the Chancellor is ‘always happy to see me and hear my voice’, according to the BBC.

But after Ms Merkel’s phone went to voicemail for a second time, he joked that she was too busy ‘saving the world’.

Seconds later, Mr Bosbach decided to bow out of the show, broadcast on Germany’s commercial channel RTL, with 125,000 euros (£102,000).

Mr Bosbach, who joined the CDU parliamentary group in 1972, said he later received a text from the Chancellor asking him what he had wanted.

Ms Merkel then sent him another text, reading: ‘Ok whatever it was, warm greetings from am.’

Mr Bosbach said: ‘I’m not sure I would have done her a favour if she had answered the phone. I don’t know if she would have known the answer.’