Stéphane Hessel, the French resistance hero, diplomat and writer who became an icon of anti-capitalist protests, died today in Paris.

France and Germany marked half a century of post-war partnership with celebrations and grand displays of unity in Berlin today despite serious differences over a common vision for the future of Europe and its single currency.

The French and German leaders joined in a celebration of unity on Sunday, hailing a relationship that has brought peace to Europe for 50 years but is suffering its most serious crisis to date.

A veteran Venezuelan crossword-writer has been accused of hiding a coded message to assassinate President Hugo Chavez's brother in the latest surreal twist to election year politics in the South American nation.

On 25 August 1944, following four years of occupation, Paris was finally liberated from Hitler's control.

After years of claiming presidential immunity to avoid legal proceedings, Jacques Chirac is finally facing a court.

Airports were closed, motorists were stranded, football matches were cancelled, politicians were blamed.... Britain? Yes, but the picture was the same in almost every other European country.

Britain and France will today announce a landmark defence alliance ranging from military operations in land, sea and air to nuclear weapons.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a symbolic visit to London today to mark the 70th anniversary of General Charles de Gaulle's radio broadcast urging his nation to resist the Nazi occupation of France.

By Tuesday morning, media intrusion of grieving relatives at Paris's main airport had become so intensive that Air France felt obliged to send a message to editors: please keep reporters and camera crews away from the hotels around Charles de Gaulle.