Spain faces 207-bn-euro headache in 2013
Spain defied the markets by averting a sovereign bailout this year but high interest rates could yet force Madrid to its knees as the nation confronts a 207-billion-euro ($274 billion) financing headache in 2013.
Vatican backs Monti, the anti-Berlusconi
The Vatican has thrown its weight behind outgoing prime minister Mario Monti, ditching the scandal-hit Silvio Berlusconi in favour of a practising Catholic they hope may lead Italy after February's general election.
Defectors say Syrian state journalists 'kill with words'
Lama al-Khadra summed up her work for Radio Damascus with a grim phrase: "Our mission was to kill with words."
Dried squash holds headless French king's blood: study
Two centuries after the French people beheaded Louis XVI and dipped their handkerchiefs in his blood, scientists believe they have authenticated the remains of one such rag kept as a revolutionary souvenir.
Merkel steels Germans for 'more difficult' 2013
Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Germans that the economy, Europe's biggest, would experience a harder time next year than in 2012 and cautioned too that the eurozone debt crisis was far from over.
Tour de France champ Wiggins knighted in New Year honours
Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins led a parade of Olympic champions whose achievements in a remarkable summer of sport in Britain were recognised in the New Year Honours list on Saturday.
British girl missing for three years in Pakistan comes home
A six-year-old girl flew back to Britain for an emotional reunion with her mother on Friday more than three years after she was abducted by her father and taken to Pakistan.
Britain's Cameron could make EU unravel: Van Rompuy
British Prime Minister David Cameron's attempts to win back powers from the European Union could cause the 27-nation bloc to fall apart.
Pope turns to Twitter, new allies to battle for faith issues
Pope Benedict XVI has galvanised Catholics at the close of 2012 to go on the offensive over key faith issues, forging new alliances and fighting secularism in the West with a media campaign.
C. Africa leader appeals for help to halt rebel advance
The United States evacuated its embassy in the Central African Republic as the nation's embattled leader appealed for French and US help after rebels seized large swathes of the mineral-rich country.
France to take in Afghans in danger for working with troops
France will take in Afghans whose security is at risk after having worked with its troops in the war-ravaged country, joining other Western nations facing a similar quandary.
Belgium, France lay claim to fries
Fries, crunchy, salty, tasty fried sticks of potato are claimed by Belgium and France as the product of their national gastronomic genius but the true origins are shrouded in popular folklore.
India set to clear IKEA retail plan: minister
India is on track to approve a bid by Swedish furniture giant IKEA to open its trademark blue-and-yellow stores in the country as it seeks big new markets for its flat-pack products.
Leila Khrapunova ready to cooperate with Geneva prosecutors
Former Almaty Mayor's wife said she was ready to cooperate with Geneva prosecutors who initiated an investigation against the Khrapunovs family in suspicion of money laundering.
STX France lands major luxury liner order
An ailing French shipyard landed a multi-million-dollar contract Thursday as a US cruise company announced it was ordering a massive luxury liner from STX France at Saint Nazaire.
'Invisible Exhibition' opens eyes to blindness
The darkness is total. Mundane gestures suddenly become complicated. How do you find the door to your room, cook a meal or cross the road?
Samsung hits back at Ericsson in patent battle
South Korea's Samsung Electronics said Wednesday it had filed a complaint to seek a US import ban on some Ericsson products in an escalating patent battle with the Swedish mobile giant.
S. Korea's KT bids for Vivendi stake in Maroc
South Korean mobile operator KT said Wednesday it has submitted a preliminary bid for French group Vivendi's stake in Moroccan carrier Maroc in a deal estimated to be worth more than $7 billion.
China and emerging powers to pay more for UN
China, Brazil, India and other emerging powers agreed to major increases in their United Nations payments as the global body hammered out a new budget deal this week to avoid its own fiscal cliff.
France to transit military property from Afghanistan via Shymkent
Transit of French military property and personnel will go via Kazakhstan's Shymkent airport.