Germany's economy slowed to "near stagnation" last month, while France's recorded its biggest contraction for four years, a survey says.

South Africa says it will withdraw its troops from the Central African Republic, as regional leaders at an emergency summit reject CAR's rebel leader.

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong is scheduled to compete in three events at the US Masters swimming championships this weekend.

Thousands of people in the West Bank join the funeral of a Palestinian prisoner who died from cancer in an Israeli jail, amid growing unrest.

The woman known as "Ruby Heartstealer" protests outside a court in Italy to deny claims she was paid for having sex with former PM Silvio Berlusconi.

Two men charged with assaulting New Zealand cricketer Jesse Ryder are bailed to reappear in a Christchurch court in two weeks time.

A financial scandal threatens France's President Hollande, after it emerged that his former party treasurer invested in the Cayman Islands tax haven.

Websites and social networking profiles linked to North Korea have been hacked and vandalised, hacktivist group Anonymous claims.