Timbuktu chose 'passive resistance' to Islamist occupiers
Timbuktu has been part of three empires, survived invasions and had countless rulers, and it met its 10-month occupation by Islamist extremists with the stoicism of a city that has seen centuries of history.
French troops at gates of last major city in northern Mali
French troops were at the gates of the last major city in northern Mali still outside their control early Wednesday after their forces landed at the airport in Kidal.
French, Malian troops patrol Timbuktu after hero's welcome
French and Malian forces were patrolling Mali's fabled desert city of Timbuktu on Tuesday, after a hero's welcome following their lightning advance north.
Piano legend Lang Lang puts faith in insight, creativity
Chinese-born classical superstar Lang Lang believes that the struggling music industry must be creative to find the right mechanisms to drive the business forwards.
International donor conference for war-torn Mali opens
An international donor conference to drum up funds and troops to help the military operation against Islamist militants in Mali opened on Tuesday at the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia's capital.
Cycling: Alexandre Vinokourov had surgery in Paris
Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov was operated to remove a metal frame from his hip.
French-led troops close in on Timbuktu
French-led troops were closing in on Mali's fabled desert city of Timbuktu after capturing a string of other towns in their offensive against Islamists in the north of the country.
Australia joins Europeans in Benghazi threat alert
Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia have all urged their citizens to leave the Libyan city of Benghazi due to a "specific, imminent threat to Westerners", linked to French action in Mali.
Music industry finally on road to recovery
News that the global music industry has finally turned the corner and is on the road to recovery should help get the annual four-day gathering of many of the world's top music execs at the MIDEM trade fair.
French planes destroy Islamist bases in Mali
French warplanes have destroyed two Islamist bases in northern Mali as an Al-Qaeda-linked group there split, with the splinter group calling for talks to end the offensive against the militants.
Robuchon outlets top Asian restaurant poll
Two restaurants run by French celebrity chef Joel Robuchon in Macau and Hong Kong have placed first and third in an annual poll of Asia's Top 20 fine dining establishments.
Mexico top court frees French woman jailed for kidnap
A French woman was freed from Mexican prison Wednesday after the Supreme Court ruled that police violated her rights by staging her arrest for kidnapping on national television seven years ago.
France, Germany forget differences to fete 50 years of landmark pact
France and Germany on Tuesday will celebrate 50 years since a landmark treaty sealed their post-war reconciliation aiming to paper over nagging differences between Europe's two powerhouse neighbours.
France says military goal is 'total reconquest of Mali'
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday the end goal of France's military action in Mali was to retake control of the whole country from Islamist militants who have seized the north.
Transport disrupted as France blanketed in snow
Heavy snowfall hit large parts of France on Sunday, putting Paris under a picturesque blanket of white stuff but causing major disruptions to air, road and rail transport.
Skiing: Kazakhstan’s Poltoranin won World Cup cross-country stage in France
Kazakhstan’s Aleksey Poltoranin won the men's 15-kilometer classical-style mass start race in a sprint finish in La Clusaz, France.
Versace couture sparkles as menswear ends on snowy note
Donatella Versace dazzled Paris on a dark, snowy night Sunday with a spring couture collection heavy on 24-carat gold pinstripes and crystal embroidery that some might say tended towards bling.
France, Germany mark 'friendship' half-century
When France's national handball team goalkeeper Thierry Omeyer joined his new club in Germany, he was touched by the welcome from the fans.
Mali operation another burden for French budget
The French offensive in Mali will burden a defence budget that was expected to get relief from the withdrawal of French forces from Afghanistan.
Camillo goes back to basics for Cerruti fashion debut
New Cerruti designer Aldo Maria Camillo presented a classic collection at the Paris menswear shows with a firm emphasis on the trinity of "fabrics, colours and silhouette".