France French nuclear scientist jailed for terror plots A Franco-Algerian scientist has been jailed for five years for plotting terror attacks. Adlène Hicheur worked at the CERN nuclear research centre 04/05/2012
France What does a Socialist France mean for Europe? Europe has hardly figured as an item in the French presidential elections, but the election and the campaign has made front pages around the 04/05/2012
Italy Widows of suicide victims protest in Bologna Widows of men who apparently committed suicide because of Italy’s economic crisis have taken part in a march in Bologna. The women gathered outside 04/05/2012
World DRC: Warriors of peace This month, Women and War goes to the Democratic Republic of Congo where we meet Masika, Noella, and Caddy. These three women survived the horrors 04/05/2012
Egypt Cairo clashes leave almost 130 injured An overnight curfew has been imposed around Cairo’s defence ministry, after protesters clashed with security forces. Almost 130 people are reported 04/05/2012
Business Spain jobs: glimmer of hope or flash in the pan? Spain’s jobless rate fell very slightly in April, by 6,632, but a closer look at the figures shows that was due to seasonal short-term jobs over 04/05/2012
Business Slowing US hiring raises worries on recovery US employers cut back on hiring in April and that hammered the financial markets. Just 115,000 workers were added to US payrolls last month. It 04/05/2012
United Kingdom Labour makes big gains in local UK elections With over 750 council seats gained Britain’s opposition Labour party is basking in the warm glow of victory as the local election results come 04/05/2012
World Greece set for unprecedented political shakeup Clear skies in Greece are in stark contrast to the uncertainty it is going through, under political stormclouds. Voters are asked to elect a new 04/05/2012
Business Facebook share sale guide price set Facebook has announced the price range for its shares when they go on sale to the public for the first time. They will cost between $28 and $35 each 04/05/2012
China Chinese dissident Chen could be US-bound China says that blind dissident Chen Guangcheng can apply to study overseas. The United States has confirmed that he has been offered a fellowship by 04/05/2012
Cinema Jason Statham plays it Safe ‘Safe’ stars British actor Jason Statham of ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’ fame playing an ex cage fighter/former black ops supercop. With 04/05/2012
World Coldplay's Chris Martin advises rapper B.o.B American rapper and producer B.o.B has just released his second album Strange Clouds, which features a string of collaborations with high-profile 04/05/2012
World Keeping the peace in Lebanon Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon has made his first official visit to Brussels. Lebanon has earned plaudits for their management of the 04/05/2012
Business Draghi holds his fire - but for how long? Several weeks ago, ECB president Mario Draghi told a German newspaper that the worst of the euro debt crisis was over, but it seems things have not 04/05/2012
France France: Sarkozy makes final re-election plea His chances of clinging to power may be slim according to the pundits but Nicolas Sarkozy is battling to the last to remain French President. With 04/05/2012
France French presidential race extols Europe Nicolas Sarkozy announced barely more than two months before polling that he was running for re-election as France’s president. The core matter was 04/05/2012
world news Investigators probe Dagestan bomb attacks Up to 14 people are reported dead and more than 100 wounded, after a double bomb attack in Russia’s Dagestan region. A suicide bomber apparently 04/05/2012
Business Eurozone economy getting worst The eurozone economy deteriorated markedly in April, according to the latest business surveys. The services sector shrivelled at a much faster rate 04/05/2012
Business BNP nears end of asset sales BNP Paribas says it has nearly completed moves to sell off assets and cut debt to boost its capital reserves. Like the rest of the industry 04/05/2012
Business RBS upbeat on its recovery The state-backed British lender Royal Bank of Scotland says it is on the path to recovery after a better-than-expected quarterly profit of the 04/05/2012
Pakistan Pakistan bomb kills 20 At least 20 people have died in a suicide bombing at a Pakistani market close to the Afghan border. Five of the dead were members of the security 04/05/2012
Iran Iranians vote in parliamentary election run-off Iranians cast ballots on Friday in an election run-off to decide who will fill the remaining 65 seats up for grabs in the country’s parliament. The 04/05/2012
Greece Greece: Conservatives appeal for clear mandate in poll He wants to rule alone, but when Greeks vote on Sunday, the conservatives of Antonis Samaras are unlikely to get the support needed to form a single 04/05/2012
no comment Poland chooses Euro 2012 song ‘Jarzebina’, a group of Polish folk-singing grandmothers have won the race to provide Poland’s official team anthem for the European football 04/05/2012
no comment Paralysed woman walks London marathon in bionic suit Claire Lomas, who is paralysed from the chest down, has walked the London marathon course using a bionic suit. She crossed the finish line 16 days 04/05/2012
World Agriculture: sowing the seeds of the future While traditional agricultural methods can be very productive it is still important to keep up with new developments, as demand for foodstuffs grows 04/05/2012
Nigeria Dozens killed in Nigeria cattle market attack Sectarian violence has claimed dozens more lives in Nigeria in a spate of killings across the country. Almost 60 people are reported to have died 04/05/2012
Unreported Europe Bailout brings deficit of trust to Ireland Across Ireland empty buildings stand testament to the legacy of the Celtic tiger. A legacy which included a spectacular economic boom and a bust 04/05/2012
United Kingdom UK: Cameron's Conservatives are punished in local polls David Cameron’s ruling Conservatives have suffered major losses in local elections as voters lashed out over austerity and Britain’s return to 04/05/2012