A man in his 50s has shot himself in front of a dozen children at a primary school close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris, French officials say.

The European Union is linked to Brussels and Strasbourg, but it is probably less known that its third base of power is in the small country of Luxembourg.

France's President Hollande says recession is "threatening the very identity of Europe", speaking at a televised news conference.

Pope Francis calls on world leaders to reform the global financial system and help the poor, in his first major speech on the financial crisis.

Life-size Berlin Barbie house not to all tastes

Police in the Russian capital Moscow say they have arrested some 230 people suspected of being illegal migrants from Central Asia.

Former England captain David Beckham is to retire from football at the end of the season, at the age of 38.

Bulgaria's biggest political party says it will seek to have the result of Sunday's deadlocked election cancelled on grounds of a violation.

Inflation in both the 17-strong eurozone bloc and the US falls to its lowest level in years.

How Estonia was converted into E-stonia

Provides an overview of France, including key events and facts about this European country.

Provides an overview of Macedonia, including key events and facts about this European country

The EU warns it may investigate claims that Chinese telecom firms have been paid subsidies, allowing them to flood markets with cheap equipment.

The thousands of Britons who have made Bulgaria their home

Queens Park Rangers striker Loic Remy is arrested along with two other men on suspicion of rape.

A flawless diamond has set a world auction record, selling for $26.7m (£17.5m).

Dramatic pictures have emerged of St Petersburg television tower being struck during a lightning storm on Monday.

Germany's love of life in the fast lane of the autobahn

Andy Sowray runs a shop selling British food for the expat community in the capital Sofia.

Dozens of UK MPs back a motion "expressing regret" that plans for an EU membership referendum were not included in the government's plans for the year ahead.