Quitting smoking makes you happier, says study
Moderate or heavy smokers who quit tobacco get a boost in mental wellbeing that, for people who are anxious or stressed, is equivalent to taking anti-depressants.
Japan's Rakuten paying $900 mn for Cypriot app-maker
Rakuten, Japan's largest online shopping mall operator, said Friday it would buy Cyprus-based application maker Viber Media for $900 million, as its expands an overseas empire that includes Canadian e-reader company Kobo.
Failure to agree agenda 'very bad omen' for Syria talks: diplomat
The failure of Syria's warring sides to even agree to an agenda for ongoing peace talks in Geneva does not bode well for the process.
Italian PM Letta to resign, Renzi poised to step in
Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta will resign on Friday in a lightning political crisis and his 39-year-old leftist challenger Matteo Renzi is poised to win the nomination to replace him.
If buildings could talk? Berlin film fest asks in 3-D
If buildings could talk, what would they tell us?
'Letter bombs' sent to British military recruiters
The British government held an emergency meeting Thursday after a string of crude but potentially viable explosive devices were mailed to armed forces recruitment offices.
Belgium gives ill children of any age the right to die
Belgium has become the first country to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children of all ages, after a heated debate in which critics questioned a child's ability to make the decision to die.
Mass power cuts, man dead in storm-battered Britain
Hurricane-force winds from an Atlantic storm left tens of thousands of Britons without power Thursday and one man dead, adding to widespread misery after devastating floods caused by the wettest winter in 250 years.
Ablyazov cannot buy French justice: Advocate General
Being an multi-billionaire Ablyazov can afford to buy anything he wanted, fund opposition political parties and create a committee of international human rights watchdogs to defend him, but he cannot buy the French Justice.
Hollande announces new start-up measures for France
French President Francois Hollande announced Wednesday in California measures to favor French start-ups, on the last day of his US visit.
Married for 50 years? Poland says you deserve a medal
Grey-haired and grinning, two dozen couples hold champagne flutes at a Warsaw ceremony in their honour. They survived 50 years of marriage and in Poland, that is reason enough for a presidential medal.
'Ethnic cleansing' taking place in C.Africa: Amnesty
"Ethnic cleansing" is being carried out against Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic, with international peacekeepers unable to prevent it.
Fugitive banker Ablyazov eyeing political asylum in France
Fugitive ex-chairman of Kazakhstan-based BTA Bank Mukhtar Ablyazov intends to request a political asylum in France.
Prince William's wife Kate dazzles in queen's diamonds
Prince William's wife Catherine dazzled onlookers at a dinner for London's National Portrait Gallery on Tuesday with a diamond necklace borrowed from the queen.
Earliest human footprints outside Africa found in Britain: scientists
Footprints left by ancient humans 800,000 years ago have been found in Britain, the earliest evidence of such markings outside Africa.
Energy is 'game changer' in new Cyprus peace drive
Greek- and Turkish-Cypriot leaders meet Tuesday to relaunch talks on ending the island's division after a nearly two-year break, with optimism that the energy card could provide a breakthrough.
Obama, Hollande to cement 'forever' Franco-US friendship
President Barack Obama will Tuesday highlight a new national security dimension to America's oldest alliance as he deploys the full pageantry of a state visit for France's President Francois Hollande.
Ban wants more troops in strife-torn CAR
UN chief Ban Ki-moon spoke Monday with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on increasing the number of European and African troops in the Central African Republic.
US, French presidents call for 'ambitious' climate change deal
The presidents of France and the United States issued a joint call Monday for other nations to join them in seeking an "ambitious" agreement to curb climate change.
Two killed as falling boulder derails train in French Alps
Two women were killed when a massive falling boulder hit a passing train in the French Alps on Saturday, leaving one of its carriages dangling precariously off a steep, snow-covered embankment.