Benefit of bees even bigger than thought: food study
Bees have a much greater economic value than is widely known, according to a scientific probe into strawberry-growing published on Wednesday.
$1mn Picasso yours for just $135
Still stumped for a Christmas present? Then what about an exquisite $1 million Picasso for the living room, yours for just $135 at an online charity raffle.
Cartier the 'King of Jewellers' shines in Paris expo
From the royal diadem worn by Kate Middleton at her wedding to an outsized maharaja's necklace, hundreds of glimmering treasures go on show this week in a major Paris exhibit on Cartier.
France to allow armed guards on ships to ward off pirates: PM
France will authorise the deployment of armed guards on ships as part of anti-piracy measures, a move long sought by shipping companies, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said in an interview published Tuesday.
Bike-friendly Copenhagen faces cyclist backlash
In one of the world's best cities for bicycles, Copenhagen cyclists are earning a reputation for recklessness and arrogance, prompting calls for politicians to back-pedal on plans to further boost bike traffic.
Football: Spanish clubs fined for TV rights breach
Spanish financial regulators on Monday fined four football clubs including Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as a big television producer millions of euros for allegedly breaking the rules on the sale of television rights.
Bob Dylan charged in France over Croat comments: source
Bob Dylan has been charged with insulting behaviour and incitement to hatred in France after a Croat group filed a complaint about an interview he gave to Rolling Stone magazine.
Almaty native among richest men of Switzerland
Vasili Anisimov, 62, an Almaty-born Russian billionaire, made it into the 300 Plus Richies list according to Swiss economy magazine Bilan.
Suspected French cannibal served in Afghanistan: army
A suspected cannibal who killed a 90-year-old man in southern France apparently to eat his heart and tongue was a former soldier who served in Afghanistan, an army source said on Monday.
French MPs vote to penalise sex workers' clients
French lawmakers on Saturday adopted a highly controversial provision in a bill that punishes clients of prostitutes amid fierce argument that the new measure will be counterproductive.
Is EU's eastern Europe policy in tatters after Russia row?
Though the European Union appears to have lost to Russia in the first round of an East-West tussle over winning friends and influence in eastern Europe, some analysts would disagree.
Victims fear release of Spain rapists, killers under rights law
Spanish courts are releasing serial rapists and killers under a European human rights ruling, terrifying their victims as authorities warn the convicts risk reoffending.
Scottish police helicopter pub crash causes numerous casualties
A police helicopter smashed through the roof of a crowded pub in the Scottish city of Glasgow, causing numerous casualties including probable deaths and leaving several people trapped in the rubble, officials said Saturday.
Crisis what crisis? Portugal's richest get richer
Portugal may be mired in a debt crisis, but its 25 richest people got 16 percent wealthier in 2013, with fortunes equivalent to nearly 10 percent of the country's GDP, rankings published Thursday showed.
Japan 'human zoo' defamed indigenous Taiwanese: court
A Japanese court has ordered public broadcaster NHK to pay $10,000 in damages to an indigenous Taiwanese woman for defaming her by using the term "human zoo" in a programme, officials said Friday.
Belgium close to agreeing euthanasia for children
Eleven years after making euthanasia legal for adults, Belgium came a step closer to extending mercy-killing to terminally-ill children Wednesday after an intense public debate on the ethical issues at stake.
Fireworks at world's tallest tower as Dubai wins Expo 2020
Dubai beat off opposition from Brazil, Russia and Turkey on Wednesday to win the right to host the 2020 World Expo, sparking celebrations in the Gulf city and a stunning fireworks display at the world's tallest building.
Hollywood film-shoots boost struggling Spanish islands
Barefoot young men in ragged clothes disembark from a 19th century-style whaling ship bobbing in the bay off the Spanish island of Gomera. Despite their shipwrecked appearance, they are here on business.
UN women's rights resolution passed despite backlash
A UN General Assembly committee has agreed a landmark first resolution on women's rights defenders such as Malala Yousafzai, despite a hard fought campaign by an alliance including the Vatican to weaken the measure.
Croatia gays say marriage referendum major setback
After six years together, Hana and Iva both decided they had met "the one" -- but the Croatian couple's dream of getting married and having children risks being derailed by a referendum to outlaw same-sex marriage.