French Finance Minister Francois Baroin becomes the latest senior figure in Paris to criticise weaknesses in the British economy.

The UK is asked to play a role in "technical discussions" over a proposed new EU fiscal pact despite refusing to sign up to the agreement.

Ships in the Antarctic are racing to rescue a Russian fishing vessel taking on water next to an ice shelf, but sea ice is hampering their progress.

Police in Bahrain detain prominent blogger and rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja during a protest near the capital Manama, reports say.

Self-styled revolutionary "Carlos the Jackal" is convicted by a French court of organising four deadly attacks in the 1980s and sentenced to life in prison.

Former French President Jacques Chirac says he has no plans to appeal againt a sentence for diverting public funds, but denies the charges.

The cost of renting a home in England and Wales fell for the first time in 10 months in November, according to a survey.

Hospitals in England and Wales are falling short in the care given to dementia patients, a review says.