Greece Smog hits Athens as cash-strapped residents choose fire over fuel Bad news for austerity-stricken Greeks is also proving to be bad news for the environment – specifically the air quality in Athens. Wood has soared 29/12/2012
economy Greece: ex-finance minister in firing line over tax list Politicians from a number of parties are calling for the law that protects ministers in Greece from prosecution not to apply to former finance 29/12/2012
Sport Dead heat downhill finish in Bormio Austrian Hannes Reichelt and home favourite Dominik Paris shared top spot on the alpine skiing world cup podium on Saturday after clocking the same 29/12/2012
France Paris stymied over top tax plan The French Constitutional Council has rejected the government’s flagship plans for a top tax rate of 75 percent. It is a setback for President 29/12/2012
Russia At least 4 dead in Moscow airport plane crash Four people have died in a plane crash at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after the aircraft skidded off the runway as it tried to land. The Tupolev-204 29/12/2012
Russia UN/Arab League envoy warns of "hell" if Syria violence continues UN and Arab League envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi has warned of the dire consequences of failure to find a political solution to end the violence 29/12/2012
Russia 3 dead in plane crash at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport Three people have died in a plane crash at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after the aircraft skidded off the runway as it tried to land. The Tupolev-204 29/12/2012
Italy Italians react to Monti's decision to stand for election Italians have been reacting to Mario Monti’s announcement that he will join the race in February’s elections. The outgoing prime minister said on 29/12/2012
France France: constitutional court rejects 75 per cent tax rate The French Supreme Court has rejected the government’s controversial plans to tax top earners on 75 per cent of their income. The measure, one of 29/12/2012
no comment A flour civil war in Spain Revellers throw flour and eggs at one another during the celebration of the Els Enfarinats Festival in Ibi, Spain. 29/12/2012
no comment Baby gorilla born in Prague Moja, a gorilla baby girl, was born on December 13th in Prague zoo. She is the first baby gorilla born in one of the Czech Republic’s zoos. 29/12/2012
Japan Japan PM visits Fukushima as government pledges nuclear restart Japan’s new prime minister Shinzo Abe has visited the stricken nuclear site at Fukushima, just three days after he was sworn in. Despite strong 29/12/2012
India India ready for more protests after gang rape victim dies A 23-year-old woman, beaten and gang raped on a bus in India two weeks ago, has died of her injuries in Singapore where she had been flown for 29/12/2012
Central African Republic Gabon leads peace initiative in Central African Republic After weeks of clashes the government of the Central African Republic and rebels have agreed to hold talks. The move follows an initiative by 29/12/2012
USA Obama 'optimistic' fiscal deal can be reached ‘Cautiously optimistic’ – that is the phrase being used at the White House after the president held talks with Congressional leaders in an 11th hour 29/12/2012
Spain Spanish mums strip off to save school bus line A group of Spanish mothers has decided to bare all to save their school bus line. The action for a calendar is aimed at raising some 43,000 euros 29/12/2012
USA Newsweek's final print run Once one of America’s top magazines, Newsweek is about to disappear from the news stands and go digital. The final print edition will be on sale on 29/12/2012
