French stats institute warns of period of no growth The French economy appears to be settling into a period of no growth according to the INSEE national statistics institute, which halved late Thursday its 2012 growth forecast to 0.2 percent.
05 October 2012
Last will and testament of Alfred Nobel, prize creator Swedish inventor and scholar Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), who made a vast fortune from his invention of dynamite in 1866, ordered the creation of the Nobel Prizes in his will.
World bishops gather to counter decline of faith Catholic bishops from around the world are convening for a synod starting on Sunday to debate how to counter rising secularism on the 50th anniversary of the historic but controversial Second Vatican Council.
Guessing game starts as Nobel season nears Early October means it's time for the annual Nobel Prize announcements and frenzied guessing over possible winners, with 231 Peace Prize nominees.
Bond fans set to mark 50 years of big-screen style A series of events are to be held on Friday to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond films, the iconic spy saga that helped define half-a-century of cultural, political and technological upheaval.
04 October 2012
Honeybees, with a sting, at McQueen show in Paris Honeycomb dresses, insect-like visors and caramel corsets cinching their waists, designer Sarah Burton sent a procession of queen bees buzzing into Paris at the Alexander McQueen spring-summer show.
04 October 2012
S&P warns of little iron ore respite for miners Global credit agency Standard & Poor's said Tuesday that it saw little improvement in iron ore prices in the near-term and warned that smaller single-commodity miners could see their ratings slip.
03 October 2012
Slimane brings rock 'n' roll to YSL at Paris fashion Tuxedos, safari jackets and chiffon gowns: the cult designer Hedi Slimane made his hotly-awaited debut for Yves Saint Laurent on Monday with a modern, rock 'n' roll take on the house's iconic silhouette.
03 October 2012
'Vatileaks': A behind-the-scenes look at Vatican politics The "Vatileaks" scandal that has led to the trial of Pope Benedict XVI's butler for theft involves hundreds of letters that passed across the pope's desk over several months in 2011 and early 2012.
Xstrata, Glencore announce new deal for massive tie-up Swiss mining group Xstrata and commodities giant Glencore said on Monday they had agreed on new terms for their tie-up to create a massive company worth about 70 billion euros ($90 billion).
02 October 2012
Slovak PM says eurozone will not survive in current form The eurozone is unlikely to survive in its current form and one or more countries will probably have to leave the 17-nation single currency bloc, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico said Sunday.
01 October 2012
Summer comes to Paris Fashion Week Bare feet, flip flops, sand, sun and tropical heat: designers brought a generous dose of summer to the Paris catwalks Sunday, matching the glorious sunshine that warmed up day six of Paris Fashion Week.
01 October 2012
Greek PM stresses urgency of austerity deal Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras stressed the urgency of sealing an austerity pact ahead of crucial talks Monday between Greek officials and the so-called troika of international creditors.
01 October 2012
Swiss parliamentarians reject burqa ban Swiss parliamentarians narrowly voted Friday against a ban on wearing the Muslim burqa and other face coverings in public places, including public transport.