The British government and public sector unions say talks aimed at heading off a major strike over pension reforms this week have made progress – but

The rebel-held city of Misrata in Libya erupted with pleasure with the news that Muammar Gaddafi, his son and the head of Libyan intelligence have

Increasing the numbers of children in school and fighting truancy is always hard. The methods – from incentives to punitive measures – also aim to

As the Greek government prepares for a crucial week, aiming to get another wave of austerity measures through parliament, opponents are planning more

The summer of royal weddings continues this weekend with Albert of Monaco tying the knot with former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock. It is the

Tobacco giant Philip Morris is threatening to sue the Australian government over pioneering plans to remove brand-names from cigarette

A Russian intelligence chief has been convicted of treason in his absence by a Moscow court for unmasking a US-based spy ring. Alexander Poteyev

Michele Bachmann, a favourite of the conservative Tea Party movement in the US, has become the latest Republican officially to join the race for the

China is going railway crazy with the opening of the new express line between the country’s two most important cities – Beijing and Shanghai

At the recent G20 Agriculture summit in Paris, protesters outside the venue chanted “Markets – leave our food alone” as high prices put millions at

There was a series of shock exits in the fourth round of the women’s draw at Wimbledon on Monday. It was certainly a day to forget for the

Syrian intellectuals and academics met in Damascus on Monday to seek a way out of the country’s current political crisis. As many 200 people were

Now frail and elderly pensioners, they nonetheless stand accused of being privy to the decisions taken by the regime of the Khmer Rouge. They are

Senior surviving members of Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime have shown little sign of co-operating at their trial which has started in Phnom

As the blockade-busting peace flotilla for Gaza prepares to set sail, Israel may be backtracking on its threat to ban participating journalists. On

The International Criminal Court on Monday issued a warrant for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s arrest, its second-ever arrest warrant against a

Brussels has said Iceland’s entry into the EU is still on track despite strong signs many within the Nordic state remain fiercely opposed to joining

Tall, elegant, blonde and warm - Charlene Wittstock is a model of “princessly” poise.   Prince Albert II has had 10 years to get to know his

French banks have agreed to roll over their holdings of Greek debt for 30 years, President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed on Monday. The voluntary

In a few days the wait will be over: the International Olympic Committee will be choosing between three very promising bids from Annecy, Munich and

At least 40 people have been injured in demonstrations against a planned high-speed rail line between France and Italy. Some of those hurt are

On day two of the British leg of his European tour Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has held talks in Downing street with British Prime Minister David

There is a glimmer of hope for Saab as a big new order will enable it to pay wages and suppliers and resume making cars. Last week Saab said it did

Investor nervousness meant the Italian treasury had to offer higher interest to sell its treasury bonds on Monday. The spread between its 10-year

French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde seems set to become head of the International Monetary Fund this week, despite a strong challenge to

Bone by bone, a Tyrannosaurus Rex has been brought back to life for a dinosaur exhibition at Tokyo’s Nature and Science Museum. The animal has been

Pop star Beyonce brought the closing touch to Britain’s famous Glastonbury festival on Sunday. Coldplay drew huge crowds to the main Pyramid

Bulgaria’s “Sneakers” has been previewed as one of the 17 films in competition at Moscow’s International Film Festival. A debut feature for both

Tens of thousands of people marched in Morocco on Sunday both for and against a proposed new constitution. Pro-reform activists want greater