Fighting Fit

Yushchenko looks to Moscow as Nato cools

Ukraine moves to soothe relations with Russia as it appeals to the alliance not to delay the offer of a membership plan

Carla Bruni uses star power to fight Aids

Model-turned-singer cited inspiration of her brother, who died of the disease in 2006, as she is made Aids ambassador

Swiss back free-heroin scheme for addicts

The heroin programme, said to be the first of its kind in the world, was backed by 69 per cent of voters

Nato plays it cool over Georgia and Ukraine

Foreign ministers aim to appease Moscow with formula that will retain ties with eager states without offering membership

Top wine cellar to stay bottled up

Collection to make billionaires pale with envy will live in a museum

Strike threatens La Scala gala opening

Inaugural opera performance, the social and musical highlight of the year, threatened by strikes and protests over cuts

Christmas kaput as Santa shortage hits Germany

Germany's high standards of jollity and expertise means they are facing a Santa shortage this Christmas

Carla’s Aids mission gets personal

A family tragedy has inspired France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, to spearhead a global campaign against the killer

From the Archive: Moscow frees US pilot in swap for master spy

February 11, 1962: Gary Powers, pilot of a downed U2 high-level reconnaissance jet is released in a tense dawn exchange

Lights go out at Honecker’s Lamp Shop

Decision to replace 'palace' with a new, but old-looking one was supposed to symbolise triumph of democracy over communism

Hope Diamond traced to Smithsonian

Scientists say they have proof that diamond in the Smithsonian is a looted gem that was once owned by King Louis XIV

What to sell an oligarch during a recession

At the Millionaire Fair oligarchs still had money left for life's little pleasures, such as jets yachts and villas

Anti-piracy experts get rescued... from pirates

Employer says security guards deserve a medal for their actions despite decision to leave crew members on board

Masterpiece rescued from the attic

18th-century masterpiece by Giambattista Tiepolo hidden away in French chateau because it was judged too risqué for display

Your country needs you - to do the shopping

As the Celtic Tiger economy crashes and burns, Ireland’s younger generation is redefining the concept of patriotism

End of road for Amsterdam’s magic mushrooms

Authorities expect a weekend of hallucinogenic bingeing as shops that specialise in psychedelic mushrooms sell off their stock

Venice keeps distance from souvenirs

Renata Codello, the head of cultural heritage on Venice city council, says they will clamp down on 'tacky' souvenir stalls

Iron Lady finds steel to threaten her ally

Nino Burjanadze is emerging as key threat to President Saakashvili over the disastrous handling of the war for South Ossetia

Domingo gives Papal poems a voice

New album Amore Infinito (Infinite Love) featuring songs based on poems by the late Pope John Paul II goes on sale in Italy

Air New Zealand plane flew safely before crash

The plane was only four years old and had safely completed a two hour flight days before it crashed