DNA from ancient plague points to modern peril
"In some cases death came immediately; in others, after many days," the historian Procopius wrote as a terrifying disease scythed through Constantinople in 542 AD.
Crunch day in Ukraine after leader offers concession
Ukrainian lawmakers meet on Tuesday to debate ways of ending a deadly two-month crisis after President Viktor Yanukovych gave in to a key opposition demand to abolish draconian anti-protest laws.
British MPs criticise Queen's household finances
British lawmakers on Tuesday urged Queen Elizabeth II's royal household to do more to reduce running costs and produce clearer plans for the monarch's financial future.
US ship heads out to destroy Syrian chemical weapons
A specially-equipped US naval ship departed for Italy on Monday on a ground-breaking mission to destroy Syria's most dangerous chemical agents.
Hollande heads to crisis-hit Turkey after split from first lady
French President Francois Hollande heads to Turkey on Monday on his first trip abroad since his dramatic announcement that he had split from his longstanding partner Valerie Trierweiler.
Italy minister resigns amid abuse of power, corruption probes
Italy's Agriculture Minister resigned amid allegations of abuse of power over the appointment of staff in the public healthcare system.
Ukraine eyes state of emergency as ministry seized
Ukraine threatened to impose a state of emergency on Monday after demonstrators occupied the justice ministry and protests demanding the president's resignation spread despite a power-sharing offer.
Thousands stage 'Day of Anger' protest against French president
Several thousand people marched through Paris on Sunday in a "Day of Anger" against embattled President Francois Hollande which ended in clashes between police and protesters.
Protesters, police in standoff in Kiev after sporadic clashes
Protesters and Ukrainian police were on Saturday still locked in a tense standoff in Kiev after a night of sporadic clashes that erupted despite a truce and offer of concessions by President Viktor Yanukovych.
Magazine that revealed Hollande affair fined for snaps of minister
The French magazine that reported President Francois Hollande's affair with an actress has been fined for breach of privacy in a separate case brought by France's culture minister, a lawyer said Friday.
British expat leaves job after Singapore 'poor people' remark
A Singapore-based British wealth adviser who set off a firestorm by publicly insulting Singaporeans who have to rely on public transport has "parted ways" with his former employer, the firm said Saturday.
Urban gardens greening Berlin rooftops, airfield
Tomatoes, veggies and herbs are sprouting from Berlin parks, a shopping mall rooftop and even a former airfield in community gardens that pioneer farmers say add green spice to urban life.
Ukraine police deny responsibility for gunshot deaths
Ukrainian police have confirmed that two young men who died in the latest clashes with security forces were killed by gunshot wounds but denied responsibility for their deaths.
Blast outside French church in Rome as Hollande visits
A small explosive device went off outside a French church in central Rome could be linked to President Francois Hollande's visit.
France's embattled Hollande to meet pope, woo angry Catholics
Abortion and euthanasia will be among hot button issues on the table when Pope Francis meets embattled French President Francois Hollande.
Angela Lansbury returns to West End after 40 years
British-American actress Angela Lansbury, star of "Murder, She Wrote", is returning to London's West End for the first time in nearly 40 years -- in the same theatre where her mother made her debut in 1918.
France launches express rail project linking Paris to airport
France's government has launched a 1.7-billion-euro ($2.3 billion) project to link Paris to its main international airport, Charles de Gaulle, with an express train that will go into operation in a decade's time.
Nazarbayev takes part in Davos World Economic Forum
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev is taking part in the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Singapore FM slams 'deeply offensive' remarks by British expat
A Singapore-based British wealth manager's Facebook posts deriding public transport commuters as poor are "deeply offensive, wrong, and unacceptable".
Self-styled Polynesian 'king' convicted for issuing fake money
A self-styled "king" who claims to rule over an unrecognised "republic" in French Polynesia was convicted by a Tahiti court Wednesday for issuing fake money.