Pope leads fasting and prayer day for Syria
The Catholic Church has called for a global day of fasting and prayer on Saturday for peace in Syria and against any armed intervention, with Pope Francis scheduled to host a mass vigil on St Peter's Square.
Critics savage Diana film after premiere
Critics have savaged "Diana", a biopic of the late princess of Wales who died in a Paris car crash 16 years ago, just hours after its world premiere.
Star revels banish gloom in Italy's floating city
Karaoke parties, fancy dress and spaghetti at dawn: Hollywood's prima-donna stars have brought light relief to a Venice film festival plagued by dark tales of incest, necrophilia, cannibalism and suicide.
Snowden leak shows spy agencies break Web encryption
US and British intelligence agencies have cracked the encryption that secures a wide range of online communications -- including emails, banking transactions and phone conversations.
British PM to challenge Brussels over welfare powers
Prime Minister David Cameron will push the EU to curb migrants' access to British welfare payments during talks ahead of the country's membership referendum.
Lennon reveals 'torture' of Beatles' final album
Recording their 12th and last studio album was nothing short of "torture" for The Beatles, said John Lennon in a tape-recorded interview coming up for auction this month.
Smoking warning works just on front of cigarette pack
Big anti-smoking messages on the front of cigarette packets may help deter youngsters tempted by tobacco but have little effect when they are on the back of the pack.
Kazakhstan and Turkey to build night vision equipment factory in Astana
Kazakhstan and Turkey and mulling a factory to produce electronic optical devices in Astana.
Poland overhauls pension system to keep public debt down
Poland on Wednesday said it will transfer government bonds held by private pension funds to the state pension sector in a move aimed at curbing public debt amid an economic slowdown.
Rakhat Aliyev's media center may dent Vienna's reputation
Vienna’s Court of Auditors is in discussion of the request to check the owners of Medienquarter St. Marx media center.
Syria at heart of EU talks in Vilnius
EU foreign ministers gather Friday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius seeking a joint position on Syria as France stands alone in the 28-nation bloc in favour of military intervention.
Football: Messi pays back millions to taxman - reports
Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his father paid off five million euros ($6.6 million) they owed to the taxman ahead of their court appearance on tax evasion charges.
French, German leaders in historic visit to WWII massacre site
French President Francois Hollande and German counterpart Joachim Gauck pay a landmark visit to the ghost village of Oradour-sur-Glane where 642 people were massacred by Nazi troops during World War II.
Microsoft buys Nokia phones to fight Apple, Google
Microsoft agreed Tuesday to buy the handset business of former market leader Nokia in an effort to catch up to rivals Apple and Google in the fierce smartphone market.
Glare from London 'fryscraper' blamed for melting cars
A British property developer said Tuesday it was investigating after sun rays reflected from its half-finished London skyscraper melted parts of several cars, including a luxury Jaguar.
French ambassador leaves Kazakhstan
The Ambassador of France Jean-Charles Berthonnet has completed his diplomatic mission in Kazakhstan.
Angela Merkel's flag necklace gets own Twitter account
A necklace worn by Chancellor Angela Merkel sporting the colours of the German flag has acquired a dedicated Twitter account delivering satirical jibes following its much-commented upon appearance at a TV debate.
Pope to investigate Poland's ritual slaughter ban
Pope Francis has ordered an investigation into a Polish ban on the ritual kosher slaughter of animals.
Europe's emerging economies back on track
Central and eastern European countries have escaped most of the turmoil that has recently lashed emerging economies as they have been shielded by the recovery in the neighbouring eurozone.
Smartwatches to light up Berlin electronics show
Smartwatches look set to dominate this year's IFA consumer electronics fair in Berlin, which opens Wednesday, stealing the limelight from smart phones and tablet computers.