Putin orders action over explosive doping claims
Vladimir Putin ordered an inquiry into allegations of "state-supported" drug abuse in athletics that have left Russia facing a possible Olympics ban, but insisted any punishment should be individual and not collective.
Prince Charles meets Australian war widow
Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla met war widow Daphne Dunne in Sydney, as they were mobbed by royal fans as they continued their six-day tour of Australia.
Kerry tells UN two-state solution 'not impossible dream'
US Secretary of State John Kerry told an Israeli gathering at the United Nations that a two-state solution in the Middle East was "not an impossible dream" but would require courage.
Germany can't cope with refugee family reunification demands: minister
Germany's interior minister called for family reunification rights of Syrian asylum seekers to be limited, saying the country cannot cope with a doubling of its already record refugee numbers.
Russia says new DNA tests confirm last tsar's remains
New DNA tests on the remains of the last tsar Nicholas II confirm their authenticity after exhuming them in a bid to end a dispute with the Orthodox Church.
EU flag burned as tens of thousands join Warsaw nationalist demo
Tens of thousands of protesters poured into Warsaw's streets for a demonstration organised by the far-right, marching under the slogan "Poland for the Polish" and burning an EU flag.
Serbian PM pays respects to Srebrenica Muslim victims
Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic paid his respects to the Muslim victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, months after he was chased from a ceremony in the Bosnian town by an angry stone-throwing crowd.
UniCredit, feeling squeeze from low rates, cuts 18,200 jobs
Italy's top bank UniCredit announced plans to shed over 18,000 jobs in an effort to stay profitable as low interest rates and the weak economy weigh on earnings.
Turkey's Erdogan urges Syria safe zone ahead of G20
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on world leaders to rally behind Turkey's plan for a safe zone inside Syrian territory, days before it hosts the G20 summit.
Romania nightclub fire toll rises to 50
Four more people have died of injuries sustained in a devastating nightclub blaze in Romania, taking the toll in the inferno that brought down the government to 50.
Catalonia independence threat could benefit PM in polls
Catalonia may have voted to kick off a process towards independence but the wealthy region is far from breaking up with Spain, and Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy could actually benefit in upcoming elections.
EU, African leaders to tackle migration crisis
Europe's leaders will offer Africa up to 3.6 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in aid at a summit in Malta in exchange for help tackling the migration crisis rocking Europe.
Obama takes immigration reform to Supreme Court
President Barack Obama's administration asked the US Supreme Court to uphold measures shielding around four million undocumented migrants from deportation.
EU gives Volkswagen 10 days to clarify CO2 irregularities
EU regulators have given Volkswagen 10 days to clarify its own admission that nearly a million of the company's cars emit more CO2 pollution than originally claimed.
Republican rivals rip Trump's immigration plan
Donald Trump reiterated his pledge during Tuesday's Republican presidential debate to deport millions of undocumented workers, a plan trashed by rivals including Jeb Bush.
Netanyahu says no immediate way forward for Mideast peace
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voiced pessimism about the prospect of peace with the Palestinians, suggesting the current stalemate was likely to remain in place.
Russia working to pierce 'any missile shield': Putin
President Vladimir Putin pledged Russia would build weapons that could pierce any anti-missile shield as he accused the United States and its allies of looking to shackle Moscow's nuclear capabilities.
Poland ready to take Russia to court over 2010 crash: official
Poland is prepared to take Russia to court over what it sees as foot-dragging in the investigation of the 2010 air crash in which then president Lech Kaczynskidied.
'A great European has died', Hollande says of Helmut Schmidt
French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to Helmut Schmidtas a "great European" after the former West German chancellor died at the age of 96.
Obama praises Erdogan on Turkey vote win
US President Barack Obama congratulated his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on recent elections that extended the Turkish president's term in office.