Let DW-WORLD.DE be your guide on a trip through European history - from the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC to the introduction of the euro in 2002.
Record low temperatures have forced authorities to close a stretch of Europe's largest waterway, halting transport along the river. Some countries are also facing electricity rationing as consumption peaks.
French president Sarkoy's former treasurer has been charged with corruption over allegations he influenced a frail billionaire to donate to their successful 2007 election campaign
Greek leaders have failed to strike austerity deal ahead of crucial eurozone talks to be held in Brussels. Failure to agree to creditors demands means the country may not receive vital bailout funding.
A regional court in Düsseldorf ruled on Thursday that electronics giant Samsung may continue to sell its Galaxy Tab 10.1 N tablet computer in Germany, rejecting a bid by arch-rival Apple to have sales banned.
The Swedish state-owned energy group said its net profits fell 21 percent in 2011 as a result of a "tough year" for energy production and the forced shutdown of its German nuclear reactors.
The European Central Bank has kept eurozone borrowing costs at an historic low of 1 percent, after cutting rates twice in recent months. Uncertainty about the eurozone economy is still high, the bank says.
Homosexuals are marginalized in many countries: some 80 nations make homosexuality punishable by law. Germany has put renewed emphasis on gay rights, and is working with the EU to protect homosexuals everywhere.
Two alleged Syrian spies have been arrested for spying on Syrian dissidents in Germany. The intelligence agencies say that such spying is by no means rare but they do what they can to protect them.
Germany and Kazakhstan have signed a 3-billion-euro deal to cooperate on raw materials, industry and technology, but not without the German Chancellor raising the thorny issue of human rights in the central Asian nation.