World
Europe
EU to ban plastic straws and cotton buds in effort to cut pollution
The EU has also been spurred into action by China's decision to no longer import part of the bloc's waste.
Latest
Politics
Former IMF official to lead Italy to new election amid political drama
Economist Carlo Cottarelli to form government after inconclusive March 4 elections left the country with an intractable political impasse.
France
'Spiderman' who saved child from balcony offered French citizenship
Macron said Mamoudou Gassama would be rewarded for his "exceptional act" with papers to legalise his stay, citizenship if he wants it and a job as a firefighter.
- by Sylvie Corbet
Art
Famous Russian painting damaged in attack after man 'overwhelmed by something'
One of Russia's most famous paintings has been badly damaged after a man attacked it with a metal pole after drinking vodka.
- by Andrew Osborn
Theresa May
Britain's May refuses to relax Northern Ireland abortion rules
Theresa May faces a showdown with ministers in her Conservative party after refusing to back reform of Northern Ireland's highly restrictive abortion rules.
- by Andrew MacAskill
Germany
German nationalists march in Berlin, face counter-protests
The Alternative for Germany party marched through central Berlin to protest against Chancellor Angela Merkel's government on Sunday.
China
French spy charged with treason fell for Chinese 'honeytrap'
A former French intelligence agent facing treason charges was reportedly ensnared in China when he began an affair with an interpreter.
- by David Chazan
'Spiderman' scales four floors to rescue child from Paris balcony
It took the man less than a minute to scale the outside of the building and haul the boy over the balcony to safety.
- by Rachel Clun
Politics
Row over minister pick plunges new Italian government into chaos
Italy's efforts to form a government have broken down after the president rejected a eurosceptic pick for the key economy ministry.
- by Steve Scherer and Stephen Jewkes
Wine
For one wine lover, 1774 was a very good year
A bottle of wine made in 1774 has reportedly sold for $161,431 at auction in France.
Opinion
MH17
Justice for MH17 victims demands the ultimate joint effort
The Dutch and Australian governments have to join the legal campaign against a power that sees little value in human life.
- by Jerry Skinner