French duo may have been tortured for PINs

Detectives believe that science graduates killed in South London could have been the victims of a bungled burglary

Dearer food gives EU windfall for poor

Brussels bureaucrats find themselves with a €1 billion windfall which they are planning to distribute to the Third World

Abramovich is super-rich, but few dare ask how

Mystery surrounds the wealth of Roman Abramovich, the Russian orphan who grew up to be the world's fifteenth-richest man

French allotments make a triumphant comeback

Plots that were a dumping ground for rubbish have been transformed with diverse vegetables and flowers by residents

Gaza ceasefire breaking down over violations

After just 15 days of regularly broken truce, there is little hope of deal lasting as Hamas suspends prisoner swap talks

'Mussolini methods' anger rights groups

Italy's plan to fingerprint Roma children draws flak from European rights organisations and Amnesty International

Indian rickshaw is latest in papal transport

Piaggio, the Italian moped maker, presents Pope Benedict XVI with two specially adapted three-wheelers from India

Rugby 'sex assault victim' speaks out

Woman at centre of controversy with England players says she didn't report incident to police for fear of media intrusion

To survive aluminium wars, mettle was needed

It is hardly surprising that Roman Abramovich may have sought 'protection' when he ventured into post-Soviet business world

Tigers airlifted to reserve to boost numbers

Indian tigress flown by helicopter from one national park to another in attempt to revive tiger population in western India

G8 summit costs could treat 4m HIV patients

Japan is spending £285m at a time when industrialised countries are threatening to renege on their aid commitments to Africa

Overworked mule has its burden eased

A Chinese construction worker was shamed into giving his mule three days’ rest after the animal collapsed from exhaustion

World in brief

7,000 death row prisoners are reprieved | Pulsars confirm that Einstein was right | Expatriates win healthcare battle Madrid

My Week: Peter Mandelson

I find it perfectly tiresome when minor European dignitaries seek to involve themselves in the serious business of politics

Robbers escape after helicopter crash

A police helicopter crashed while pursuing robbery suspects in the Soweto township on the outskirts of Johannesburg

Six are killed in stampede at holy festival

At least six people were trampled to death and dozens were injured in a stampede at the annual Ratha Jatra in eastern India

Children embrace sound of the axis of evil

British children used to singing traditional hymns are being taught North Korean anthems in preparation for state orchestra’s visit

Soon, pandas may be flying

People on both sides of the Taiwan Strait hope the launch of direct flights will move them a step away from hostilities

Obama hints at backtrack on Iraq troop withdrawal

Democratic nominee admits he is ready to 'refine' his plan to pull-out all US combat troops within 16 months of taking office

Victims seek refuge at American Embassy

More than 200 victims of Zimbabwe's political violence have sought sanctuary at the American Embassy in Harare