France blacklists 17 countries for handling foreign aid France has drawn up a blacklist of 17 countries including Switzerland that do not help investigate foreign aid fraud, banning the use of their banks to help distribute development funds.
28 May 2013
Youth in crisis-hit Spain becoming a 'lost generation' Despite having a bachelor's degree, five years of professional experience and speaking three languages, Paloma Fernandez has joined the swelling ranks of Spain's "lost generation" that can't find work in a grinding recession.
Poland dumps old garbage system for greener setup With too many people chucking their garbage into neighbours' bins -- or worse, the woods -- to avoid paying for disposal, Poland has taken on a massive overhaul of its laissez-faire waste management system.
28 May 2013
Brussels expected to up pressure for economic reformThe European Commission is expected on Wednesday to increase the pressure on several countries, particularly France, to speed up structural reforms seen as the only reliable way to boost growth and job creation.
Italy holds local polls in test for parties Italians voted in local polls on Sunday that will test political parties three months from a general election that left no clear winner and a month after the start of a fragile coalition cabinet.
27 May 2013
Daring lesbian love story wins Cannes top prize A sexually graphic lesbian love story, "Blue is the Warmest Colour" by French-Tunisian director Abdellatif Kechiche, clinched the top prize Sunday at the Cannes Film Festival in a pivotal year for gay rights.
Thousands protest gay marriage in Paris At least 150,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Paris to protest a new law allowing gay marriage, a largely peaceful gathering that later turned violent as riot police battled hundreds of right-wingers.
27 May 2013
Crisis-hit Italians swap cars for bikes despite perils Bikes are outselling cars in cash-strapped Italy but while cyclists in Milan say their city is ready for a two-wheel lifestyle, there are daily nuisances for riders on Rome's trafficked streets.
27 May 2013
Syrian opposition divided amid international peace bid International efforts to end the unrest in Syria accelerate Monday with key talks in Paris and Brussels, amid a push for a new peace conference despite growing divisions within the Syrian opposition.
27 May 2013
Merkel pledges to avert EU-China trade war German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged Sunday to take steps to avoid a brewing trade war between China and the EU during a first visit by China's new premier to Germany, with both leaders calling for dialogue.
27 May 2013
British spy agencies in the spotlight over soldier's murder Britain's intelligence services were under pressure Saturday to explain their knowledge of two Islamists suspected of hacking a soldier to death in London, amid claims they had tried to recruit one of them.
27 May 2013
Pair grilled after UK fighter jets escort Pakistani plane Two men arrested on a Pakistan International Airlines plane after fighter jets were scrambled to escort it to a London airport remained in custody Saturday for questioning by the police.
26 May 2013
Key step cleared to Swiss-China free trade deal Switzerland and China cleared the final hurdle Friday towards a landmark free-trade agreement, as Beijing seeks to underscore its growing global ties via deals with European partners.
25 May 2013
IMF chief avoids charges in French payout scandal IMF chief Christine Lagarde avoided immediate charges on Friday but was named an "assisted witness" after French prosecutors grilled her for two days over a state payout to a disgraced tycoon when she was finance minister.
25 May 2013
Mobile app to help fight against racism in France A French anti-racism association is launching a mobile application it hopes will help eradicate racist graffiti by enabling users to take photos of offensive tags, geo-locate them and get them removed.
25 May 2013
IMF chief grilled for 2nd day over 2007 payout scandal French prosecutors began questioning IMF chief Christine Lagarde for a second day Friday to decide if she should be charged over a state payout to a disgraced tycoon during her time as finance minister.