Ukraine Ukraine's electricity crisis deepens as a plan to import South African coal collapses. 05/12/2014
Sport Maze cracks Lake Louise duck to win downhill The latest womens’ world cup events have been held at Lake Louise where Slovenia’s Tina Maze won the downhill at last after years of trying to crack 05/12/2014
Belgium Belgium's former queen Fabiola dies at 86 Belgium’s former queen Fabiola has died at the age of 86. C'est avec très grande tristesse que nous annonçons le décès de Sa Majesté la Reine Fabiola 05/12/2014
Sport World Records keep falling on Day 3 of FINA Worlds Image credit: Image Credit: WSCDoha Records continued to fall on the third day of competition at the FINA SC World Championships as Hungarian 05/12/2014
Germany Germany and UK jail jihadist fighters returning from Syria A young German man has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for having joined the self-proclaimed Islamic State organisation in 05/12/2014
Sport Jansrud wins Beaver Creek downhill for third victory in a row Norway’s Kjetil Jansrud is continuing his stunning early season form in the World Cup Men’s downhill, notching up his third win in a row at Beaver 05/12/2014
China China arrests ex-security chief in corruption probe China has arrested former security chief Zhou Yongkang and expelled him from the ruling Communist party. He is suspected of taking bribes and leaking 05/12/2014
USA NASA Orion space capsule spashes down in Pacific Ocean A US spaceship has made an almost perfect splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, wrapping up a four-hour unmanned test flight 05/12/2014
focus Young Africans demand a better future According to the latest report from the International Organisation of Francophonie, ie francophone countries, 760 million people will speak French by 05/12/2014
Sport Ballotelli charged by FA with 'aggravated breach' of code of conduct England’s Football Association has formally charged Italy and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli. On its website it said 05/12/2014
France France: Marseille backs down over 'Nazi-era' ID cards for homeless The French city of Marseille has been forced to back down over ID cards designed to help the homeless but which caused a storm of protest from 05/12/2014
USA President Obama nominates Ash Carter as new defence secretary Ashton Carter, a former deputy defence secretary has been nominated to replace Republican Senator Chuck Hagel as defence secretary in Washington. 05/12/2014
Hungary Hungary's Santa Factory to bring gifts to 300,000 children in need The Budapest Santa Factory opened for donations on December 5. The charity has been collecting toys and clothes every Christmas for the last ten 05/12/2014
France Virgin Mary meets laser tech in Lyon Festival of Lights Every year, the spectacular Fete des Lumieres (Festival of Lights) takes place in the French city of Lyon. The authorities say they get three to four 05/12/2014
Belgium Belgian fries bid for UNESCO world heritage status Belgium has launched a petition to get their fries added to the UNESCO list of cultural treasures. 05/12/2014
France France moves to block access to file-sharing site The Pirate Bay France has become the latest country to take action to block The Pirate Bay. A court in Paris ordered main internet providers to block access to the 05/12/2014
Sport Japan scoops the major honours at Tokyo Judo Grand Prix Tokyo’s Judo Grand Slam started with a bang on day one as several world and olympic champions were straight into the fray, three in the women’s 05/12/2014
World Tuning in to dropping out Despite efforts to improve the quantity and quality of education, the problem of students dropping out of school is still a major concern in many 05/12/2014
brussels bureau Hungary open to EU 'rule of law' review Hungary said it would agree to have its commitment to the rule of law reviewed by the EU. That is what László Trócsányi, Hungarian Justice minister 05/12/2014
Serbia Safety helmet saves Serbian minister from falling ice Serbia’s energy minister unwittingly illustrated the dangers posed by a cold snap as he toured an eastern region. Aleksandar Antic was saved by his 05/12/2014
USA NASA's Orion spacecraft soars into space NASA’s Orion space capsule blasted off for an unmanned test flight on Friday from Cape Canaveral in Florida. Gusty winds and a last-minute technical 05/12/2014
Ukraine OSCE consensus decision-making abets Ukraine rebels The OSCE’s global tension-reducing mandate is still being put to the test, unable to stop Ukraine’s death toll from climbing. One year ago, the 05/12/2014
Philippines Unusual storms hit Sydney, typhoon threatening Philippines weakens Thunderstorms have been causing havoc in the Australian state of New South Wales and more are on the way. Lightning, hailstorms, heavy rain and flash 05/12/2014
Netherlands Kenyan president Kenyatta "excited" to hear crimes against humanity charges dropped War crimes prosecutors have dropped charges against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. He had been indicted for crimes against humanity for fomenting 05/12/2014
state of the union Europe Weekly: US holds anti-ISIL meeting US Secretary of State John Kerry chairs a meeting of 60 nations in Brussels as the Washington-led coalition against ISIL takes shape; Poland’s Donald 05/12/2014
no comment Fête des Lumières festival lights up French city of Lyon During the annual Fête des Lumières artists light up the French city of Lyon with projections on buildings, monuments and parks. Millions of tourists 05/12/2014
Thailand Thailand's king cancels birthday appearance on health grounds The King of Thailand has cancelled a public appearance for his 87th birthday on the advice of doctors. King Bhumibol Adulyadej has spent time in 05/12/2014
Sci-tech Baku International Telecoms and IT fair marks 20th edition Bakutel, the International Telecommunications and Information Technologies fair, is marking its 20th anniversary. It’s a chance for visitors to 05/12/2014
