Vatican Dalai Lama and Pope will not meet during Tibetan spiritual leader's visit to Rome The Dalai Lama has confirmed reports that he will not be meeting Pope Francis during a visit to Rome. The Tibetan spiritual leader living in exile 11/12/2014
Syria Syrian 'moderate' rebels sign agreement for transition plan Around 17 different rebel groups in southern Syria have signed an agreement for a transition plan for the country. The groups are viewed by the West 11/12/2014
Italy Italian women win coal mine protest after two weeks underground Eleven days and eleven nights underground, thirty-seven women have occupied a coal mine in the south of Sardinia. Their patience has paid off and 11/12/2014
brussels bureau Poorer countries seeking more resources to fight climate change: MEP Delegates from across the world are meeting in Lima, Peru, to work towards a global deal on climate chage. Giovanni La Via is an Italian MEP and the 11/12/2014
musica Fidelio: Beethoven's only opera opens La Scala season An ode to freedom, love and humanity, Fidelio is Beethoven’s only opera but it’s a masterpiece. It opened the new season at Milan’s La Scala, a 11/12/2014
Europe Let's be clear: Concerns for EU in Transparency International corruption index ‘Could do better’ is the message to some European countries from Transparency International's latest report on global corruption levels. While 17 11/12/2014
Cinema Viggo Mortensen honoured at Marrakech Film Festival Since he first hit the big screen in 1985, he has impressed both mainstream and art-house audiences alike. As a result, the Marrakech International 11/12/2014
world news Heavy rains cause havoc in Greece and Romania At least four people have died in Greece since Saturday as heavy rain battered the north-eastern part of the country. Several regions have declared a state of emergency as the downpours showed no sig 11/12/2014
Sport Astana retain World Tour licence Pro-tour cycling team Astana have retained their elite status for the 2015 season despite suffering a series of doping cases within the outfit. The 11/12/2014
no comment Kim Jong-un observes fighter jet drills in new footage North Korea’s state media broadcasts a new documentary of its leader Kim Jong-un observing military drills. 11/12/2014
USA 'Birdman' leads way in Golden Globe Award nominations The American black comedy “Birdman” leads the nominations for the Golden Globes, making it a frontrunner as the awards season gets underway in 11/12/2014
West Bank Clashes following funeral of Palestinian minister who died after West Bank protest Palestinian youths have clashed with Israeli soldiers after the funeral of a Palestinian minister who died following a confrontation with an Israeli policeman. 11/12/2014
Sport Button lines up with Alonso at McLaren Jenson Button’s McLaren future is safe for at least another year after the 2009 world champion was named in the teams driver line-up for 2015 along 11/12/2014
Iraq Shi'ite pilgrims flock to Kerbala despite security threat Roads and highways across Iraq have filled with hundreds of thousands of Shi’ite pilgrims heading to Kerbala to celebrate a religious ceremony amid 11/12/2014
Afghanistan Afghanistan: Suicide bomb blast hits French-run school in Kabul A suicide bomb attack has targeted a French-run high school in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least one person. Hours earlier six Afghan 11/12/2014
USA Italy-USA: Eight held in trans-Atlantic mafia extortion swoop Police in New York and Italy have arrested eight people in an extortion case that appears to show trans-Atlantic mafia ties are still strong. Among 11/12/2014
France French Senate backs recognition of Palestinian state After France’s lower house, senators in the upper house of parliament have now approved a resolution calling on Paris to recognise a Palestinian 11/12/2014
Belgium Belgium: Train strike gives passengers a taste of things to come A 24 hour strike has been causing severe disruption to train services across Belgium as drivers take industrial action in a pay dispute. And 11/12/2014
USA “Birdman” leads Golden Globe Film Award nominations The surreal show business satire “Birdman,” a darling of critics for its innovative storytelling, led the Golden Globe Awards film nominations 11/12/2014
Monaco Princess Charlene of Monaco gives birth to twins Princess Charlene of Monaco has given birth to twins, the royal household has announced. Gabriella was born two minutes before her brother Jacques 11/12/2014
United Kingdom [Gallery] See the stunning entries for world photography contest These are the impressive entries already in for the Sony World Photography Awards 2015. The competition closes on January 5 next year, but 11/12/2014
China Resignation as Hong Kong clears main pro-democracy protest site The authorities moved in to clear most of the site in the Admiralty district, ending more than two months of demonstrations in the Chinese-controlled city. 11/12/2014
brussels bureau Milk protest in Brussels Dairy farmer protest calls for greater EU support Dairy farmers from across Europe have staged a demonstration outside the EU headquarters in 11/12/2014
United Kingdom Formula One: Fernando Alonso comes home to McLaren Formula One’s McLaren team have announced that next year’s drivers will be Spain’s double world champion Fernando Alonso and Britain’s Jenson Button 11/12/2014
Culture German cult band Einstürzende Neubauten commemorate WWI This year’s centenary of the outbreak of the first world war was commemorated in a variety of ways. By far, one of the most unusual was a performance 11/12/2014
Culture Watch out for the bed bugs at new Budapest cinema Take off your shoes and make yourself comfortable – the first ever bed cinema has opened its doors in Budapest. It’s part of a refurbishment project 11/12/2014