France France becomes first European power to officially recognise Syria opposition group France is the first European power to officially recognise the new Syrian opposition coalition that came together after a four-day meeting in Qatar 13/11/2012
world news EU parliament talks stall over 2013 budget It was all smiles and warm handshakes at the start of European Parliament talks on the bloc’s budget for next year. Negotiations, however, soon 13/11/2012
Italy Rome expected to escape severe flooding After severe flooding in Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, there is better news for Rome, which is forecast to not be as badly affected by the time rain 13/11/2012
France Hollande promises French growth and jobs Before he was elected in May, French President Francois Hollande promised he would hold regular news conferences. He used his first address on 13/11/2012
West Bank Arafat's final days In October 2004 the Mouqata compound sheltering Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat had been under siege by the Israeli military for two years. The 13/11/2012
futuris A world without limits New technologies are blurring the boundaries between the real and the virtual world. The brain can control a machine, and even perceive it as its own 13/11/2012
world news Cloudy skies could disappoint Australia's eclipse fans It will be the first total solar eclipse in over 10 years, and thousands of people have gathered in northern Australia to see the rare phenomenon due 13/11/2012
behind-markets Markets react to E.ON profit warning The profit warning of Germany’s largest utility, E.ON, was harshly sanctioned on Tuesday in Frankfurt. On stock markets weakened by concerns over 13/11/2012
United Kingdom Britain grants Qatada bail after deportation appeal upheld Radical Muslim preacher, Abu Qatada, is back at his London home tonight after winning his latest battle against extradition to Jordan. He was freed 13/11/2012
corporate European car giants reportedly halt talks Peugeot and General Motors have put the brakes on talks due to the French car makers financial problems and government-backed bailout, according to 13/11/2012
West Bank Was Arafat poisoned? His grave is sealed off ahead of exhumation The late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s grave in Ramallah has been sealed off. Workers have covered his tomb with tarpaulin in preparation for 13/11/2012
economy Row sparks fears of crisis within a crisis How much is the debt crisis in Greece highlighting a crisis within a crisis? International lenders clashed over how Athens can bring its debts down 13/11/2012
world news Keeping tabs on the tax-dodgers Taxes have made international headlines lately, whether for cases of tax avoidance or tax evasion. On November 13, UK lawmakers criticized 13/11/2012
Greece Civil servants protest against job cuts planned by Greece government Demanding not a single person lose their job, Greek civil servants are protesting against government plans for redundancies. Wage reductions and 13/11/2012
USA Titanic jewellery set for US exhibition Jewellery retrieved from the wreckage of the Titanic is set to go on display for the first time. The collection, which was recovered from a 1987 13/11/2012
China Solar thermal power arrives in China China opened its first tower-type solar thermal power stations. Officials say the six-year project will allow solar energy to be transformed into 13/11/2012
Brazil Aide to former Brazilian president jailed An aide to former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in jail for bribery. Jose Dirceu was found 13/11/2012
Austria What to do with the house Hitler was born in A debate continues in Austria over what do with the house that Adolf Hilter was born in. Some locals of the town near Salzburg where the three-storey 13/11/2012
USA Second top US General caught up in Petraeus email storm America’s top commander in Afghanistan has also been dragged into the Petraeus affair. General John Allen, who was due to face the Senate on Thursday 13/11/2012
Spain Spain and Portugal prepare for general strike Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in a general strike in Spain on Wednesday. Two of the country’s largest labour unions have 13/11/2012
Cinema Darkness falls on the Twilight saga The Twilight saga has finally wound down with Breaking Dawn Part Two, the fifth and final film in the series. After the traumatic birth of her 13/11/2012
le mag Street art takes centre stage in London exhibition An exhibition called “Urban Masters” is underway in east London featuring the works of the world’s best street artists of the moment. British 13/11/2012
brussels bureau EU Brussels finance meeting leaves unanswered questions on Greece On the agenda for Ecofin’s roundtable meeting in Brussels – EU banking union and the next chapter in the story of the Greek debt crisis. But 13/11/2012
economy US set to lead world oil production We won’t be using as much oil as was first thought this year or next. The International Energy Agency has trimmed its forecast for world 13/11/2012
USA Petraeus affair snares another top General America’s top commander in Afghanistan has also been dragged into the Petraeus affair. General John Allen, who was due to face the Senate on Thursday 13/11/2012
United Kingdom Qatada released on bail The radical Muslim cleric Abu Qatada has been released on bail from a British prison. He will be confined to his home for 16 hours a day, forbidden 13/11/2012
Syria Residents flee air strikes on Syrian border town A second day of aerial strikes on Syrian towns near the Turkish border is continuing to cause chaos. Some refugees can be seen squeezing under 13/11/2012
West Bank Arafat tomb sealed off in preparation for exhumation A Palestinian security team is making final preparations for the body of late President Yasser Arafat to be exhumed. His tomb in Ramallah has been 13/11/2012
corporate Windows executive leaves Microsoft Corp Microsoft executive, Steven Sinofsky has left the world’s largest software company barely two weeks after launching the flagship Window 8. The 13/11/2012
corporate Recession hits mobile phone company Vodaphone Vodaphone has written down the value of its business in Spain and Italy by almost seven and a half billion euros. The British based company has 13/11/2012