China Samples from Chinese mission could unlock 'enigma' of moon's history A lunar expert says any rocks returned from the moon by China's Chang'e 5 lunar probe could answer the unexplored 'enigma' of the moon's history. 24/11/2020
World Italian region launches mass testing programme for COVID-19 Authorities in the north-east region of Alto Adige hope to give antibody tests to 80 per cent of the population over two days. 20/11/2020
World Intensive Care Units in Switzerland 'at capacity' due to COVID-19 The Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine has warned that units across the country are at capacity, which may compromise the healthcare available to those seriously ill with COVID-19 19/11/2020
World Anti-lockdown protesters gather at Germany's parliament Germany's houses of parliament are debating and then voting on providing a legal basis for the current lockdown measures aimed at tacling COVID-19, but some demonstrators are continuing to insist the measures are unconstitutional. 18/11/2020
World Support for Scottish independence soars in new poll A record number of people now support independence for Scotland. A new Ipsos MORI poll puts the number of Scottish residents who want to leave the union at the highest level ever recorded. 16/10/2020
Romania Romania votes in local elections as prelude to General Election Romania's minority National Liberal Party government, in power since December, is undergoing a test of its strength ahead of December's General Election in local elections. The Social Democratic Party fell from power following allegations of corruption and years of anti-corruption protests. 27/09/2020
Mali Two French soldiers killed by homemade bomb in northern Mali The French government has confirmed the deaths of two French soldiers in Mali, after the destruction of their armoured vehicle by an improvised explosive device during an operation in the region of Tessalit in north of country. 06/09/2020
World News Climate protesters return to the streets of Europe's capitals Environmental protesters returned to the streets of Europe's capitals to continue a week of demonstrations that have seen many arrests. 06/09/2020
Italy Authorities move hundreds of migrants from crowded Lampedusa centre The move aimed to relieve some of the severe overcrowding at the centre, although it remains hugely oversubscribed. 06/09/2020
World Tour De France finally underway despite treacherous conditions Tough health rules mean that the event may have to be halted long before it arrives on the Champs Elysee in Paris at the end of the Grand Finale, currently due in three weeks' time. 31/08/2020
World News Rescued lion illustrates plight of thousands of other cubs Simba the lion was rescued and taken to an animal shelter in Chelyabinsk, southern Russia, but many other cubs have not been as fortunate. 05/07/2020
World News Thousands flock to holiday destinations amid ongoing pandemic Thousands of people flocked to Greece and Croatia as the countries reopened to tourists. 05/07/2020
World Pompeii to unveil new remains as it reopens after COVID-19 lockdown The site of the Roman city of Pompeii - destroyed by the eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD (CE) - is returning from lockdown in expanded form. 14/05/2020
World New gene research aims to identify those most at risk from COVID-19 A new genetic research project aims to identify and ultimately protect those most at risk from the current and potential future waves of COVID-19 14/05/2020
World New COVID-19 antibody test is 100% accurate, say English health chiefs The blood test determines, via the presence of antibodies, whether a person has already had COVID-19. 14/05/2020
World Huge contrast in mask use amongst Paris and London commuters There's a slight increase in the number of commuters in both London and Paris - but a marked contrast between the use of protective masks in the two capitals. Use is mandatory in Paris and there is only limited takeup in London where wearing is merely advisory. 14/05/2020
World 'It's a real nightmare': French zoo losing millions amid lockdown Zoos are in the midst of a crisis that will take years to recover from even if the lockdown were to end at the beginning of June, it's been claimed. 13/05/2020
World Paris’ mayor clashes with government over reopening of parks Mayor Anne Hidalgo wants Parisians to be allowed back into the city's parks. But France's health minister has rejected the demand. 13/05/2020
World Baltic bubble: Latvia, Lithuania & Estonia open borders to each other The Baltic states - Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia - are opening their borders to each other from Friday. 13/05/2020
World Confusion persists as England goes own way in relaxing lockdown rules Lockdown loosening measures for England are in place from today despite criticIsms that the rules remain confusing and may endanger the lower-paid. It comes as the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer extends the furlough scheme until October. 13/05/2020