Europeans are cutting down on Christmas shopping and pinching their pennies this festive season due to austerity measures.
Palestine has become a full member of Unesco in a highly divisive move that the US and other opponents say could harm renewed Mid East peace efforts.
Fame may be just around the corner for Aliou Faye, who quit his job earlier this year to devote himself full time to becoming a champion wrestler.
Scientists say a key to alleviating food shortages in Africa may be an indigenous rice, largely abandoned in favour of Asian varieties.