· Greek parliament approves austerity package in tense vote
Deputies in the Greek parliament have approved an austerity package. The vote was taken amid chaotic scenes outside the assembly, with the Greek premier warning that violence would not be tolerated.
· Zambia wins marathon Africa Cup of Nations final shootout
Zambia has won the Africa Cup of Nations after triumphing in an epic penalty shootout over Ivory Coast. In a dour affair, neither team had many clear-cut scoring opportunities, save for a missed penalty by Didier Drogba.
· Shining Path guerilla leader captured in Peru
The leader of Peru's Shining Path guerilla movement has been captured. The leftist group, which has sought to over-throw the Peruvian government since 1980, was listed in Lima and the US as a terrorist organization.
· Riots in Athens as Greece debates austerity bill
Police in Athens have fired tear gas at protesters as parliamentarians debate a controversial austerity bill. Protesters have set at least ten buildings alight as the Greek premier warned violence would not be tolerated.
· Still a long way to go for Greece
As Greece prepares to accept new austerity measures, questions have arisen about the ECB's methods. A controversial bond swap is intended to cut Greek debt, but could be a subsidy in disguise.
· Duisburg voters remove Love Parade Mayor from office
Controversial mayor Adolf Sauerland has been voted out of office in the German city of Duisburg. Residents who blame Sauerland for 21 deaths at the Love Parade music festival in 2010 forced the vote.
· Arab League to ask UN for Syria peacekeeping force
The Arab League says it will offer political and financial support to the besieged Syrian opposition and ask for a joint UN peacekeeping mission. Syria, meanwhile, has angrily rejected the resolutions.
· Berlinale honors Meryl Streep's lifetime achievements
From fragile to commanding, Meryl Streep has played roles in films that have set off scandals and wide-ranging cultural debates. Particularly in Germany, where she will receive an Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlinale.
· Hamburg beats Cologne, Augsburg and Nuremberg draw
Sunday's Bundesliga matches featured four teams hoping to shake the specter of relegation. Of Hamburg, Cologne, Nuremberg, and Augsburg, only the first was up to the task.
· Girl saved from Kosovo avalanche as freeze grips Europe
A five-year-old girl has been rescued after an avalanche killed nine people in northern Kosovo on Saturday. More than 500 people have been killed since snow and freezing temperatures first gripped Europe two weeks ago.
· Calls for tolerance aim to eclipse right-wing Dresden marches
While up to 2,000 right-wing extremists are expected to march in Dresden on the 67th anniversary of the city's destruction, even more people are planning to protest against the demonstration. Police have called for calm.
· German minister begins landmark Myanmar tour
Germany's development minister has said Myanmar can expect more aid from Berlin as the Southeast Asian country continues to reengage with the international community and usher in democratic reforms.
· Frontrunner Romney wins Maine caucuses
Frontrunner Mitt Romney notched up his fourth victory in the campaign to become the Republican candidate for president. He got 39 percent of the vote in the northeastern state of Maine. Ron Paul was a strong second.
· Turkmen polls close in one-sided presidential vote
Polling booths closed in the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, with incumbent President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov almost certain to easily beat his seven challengers.
· No Arab Spring for Egypt's women
Side-by-side with fellow male protesters, Egypt's women stood on Tahrir Square demanding freedom and democracy. But due to the military regime and the rise of Islamic factions the situation of women is deteriorating.
· Pop star Whitney Houston found dead in hotel, age 48
Singer Whitney Houston, once one of the best-known female vocalists in the world, has died at the age of 48. The cause of her death has not yet been announced.
· European divisions over ACTA deepen
The international copyright treaty is meant to improve the protection of intellectual property. But critics fear the deal could severely restricts Internet freedoms.
· Journalists acquitted in Nazi court case
Two Dutch journalists have been acquitted of violating the privacy of a former SS officer. The public interest outweighed the man's right to privacy, according to the German court.
· Dortmund and Bayern win to keep title race tight
The league’s top two earned home wins on Saturday. Dortmund took down Leverkusen 1-0, and Bayern beat Kaiserslautern 2-0 to keep the margin separating them at two points. Gladbach, meanwhile, beat Schalke to go third.
· Exile Syrians call for tighter sanctions
Syrians living outside the country work to organize support for the people in their homeland trying to oust President Assad. In Berlin, they appealed to Germany, and the world, for more help.
· Serbia still coming to terms with Milosevic
Many hoped that the trial of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic would help Serbians confront the past. But 10 years on, there's little evidence that much has changed.
· Turkmenistan's president poised to win election
The people of Turkmenistan will be going through the motions of voting for president this Sunday. But there is no doubt who will win - the authoritarian incumbent Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov.
· Syrian deserters lead charge to overthrow Assad
A group of deserters, known as the Free Syrian Army, has mixed results in unifying opposition to the Syrian regime. Calls are increasing to provide the troops with weapons, but not everyone thinks that is a good idea.
· Taliban try to recruit children as suicide bombers
The recruitment of young suicide bombers is one of the Taliban's most terrible tactics - yet it still remains a problem in Afghanistan. Some young children though are able to be rescued before they lose their lives.
· Soccer award highlights sport as 'engine for integration'
Germany's soccer integration award puts the spotlight on small projects and initiatives that help kids to learn the German language and acquire self-esteem, team spirit and social skills.
· Film Festival kicks off with Marie Antoinette drama
Berlin's 62nd Film Festival opened with a period drama set at the dawn of the French Revolution. It's just one of some 400 films which will be screened during the 10-day movie extravaganza.
· US trade deficit widens on booming China imports
US imports surpassed the country's exports by almost $600 billion (454 billion euros) last year amid signs of a recovery. But the widening trade gap with China is reason to worry.
· Documentary on Ugandan gay activists premieres at Berlinale
A documentary film entitled "Call me Kuchu," about the Ugandan gay community, premieres at the Berlin Film Festival. DW talked to filmmakers Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall.
· Jazz breaks down barriers in Panama
Panama has the fastest growing economy in Latin America, but it is also split by class conflicts between rich and poor. Jazz pianist Danilo Perez tries to heal some of those conflicts through free music education.
· Growing uncertainty over Egypt's future
One year ago in Cairo hundreds of thousands came out to the streets and eventually forced Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak from office. On this anniversary, the military has partially lifted the state of emergency.
· Spanish government unveils crucial labor laws
Spain's center-right government hopes a string of new labor reforms will make it easier to get to grips with public deficits and cushion the impact of a looming recession. Creating new jobs remains a top priority.
· On this week's Soundscape 100...
...German rapper Sido seems to be on the right side of the law, DSDS star Sebastian Wurth is back with a new single, we say Happy Birthday to Cassandra Steen and we've also got new tracks from Eisbrecher and Soffy O!
· German inflation up slightly due to energy price spike
Due to the harsh winter weather, energy costs rose sharply in Germany, causing inflation to edge up by 2.1 percent year-on-year in January. The rise is above inflation targets, but no reason to worry.
· 'The uprising was not about liberal democracy'
A year ago Hosni Mubarak was toppled from power. A spirit of hope hung heavy in the air, however one year on people in Egypt are still coming to terms with his legacy. DW talked to Andrea Teti about the country's future.
· The Berlin Film Festival - a banquet for a city of cineastes
The 62nd Berlin Film Festival got under way this week in the capital's February chill. It gives the students of Berlin's two major film schools a chance to see where their hopes and dreams could take them.
· China's trade activity slows down markedly in January
China has reported a drop in exports and imports for January. Analysts say the slowdown is also the result of the eurozone debt crisis, but warn that figures may be distorted for seasonal reasons.
· Wacky 'Kölsch' songs set the stage for Carnival
Whether it's Rio, Venice, New Orleans or Cologne, when it comes to Carnival - or Mardi Gras - it all comes down to a few essentials: dressing up in funny costumes, partying and making music.
· US options on Syria limited
As the Syrian government cracks down on the opposition, calls to protect civilians are growing louder. But many defense experts warn against military intervention.
· Frankfurt airport attacker jailed for life
A radical Islamist has been jailed for life for killing and wounding US soldiers at Franfkurt airport one year ago. But the attacker's motives remain unclear.
· Fisheries could net more with quota rethink
A new study has found that letting fish stocks recover would, over time, help the fishing industry earn more money and create more jobs. But EU regulations don't go far enough to encourage sustainable catches.
· Double champ Vettel takes to track for 2012 debut
Formula One's youngest double world champion, Sebastian Vettel, has driven his 2012 Red Bull car for the very first time. But it was another German - Mercedes GP's Nico Rosberg - who topped Thursday's timesheets.
· Champagne study: flute, coupe glass undesired
When it comes to pouring champagne, long, skinny flutes and short, wide coupes have existed side by side for generations. But neither is really the ideal for enjoying a glass of top-shelf bubbly, new research shows.
· Serene art with a touch of controversy
One of Germany's most famous contemporary artists, Gerhard Richter, has turned 80. These days his works sell for massive sums of money at auction - and not just because of their unique photo-like quality.
· German foreign policy works to support gay rights
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.
· 'The mountain of trash'
What do spirituality and garbage dumps have in common? Director Mohan Kumar connects the two by examining a garbage dump near Kolkata. His attempt has earned his film, "Panchabhuta," a nomination at the Berlinale.
· German cyclist Jan Ullrich found guilty of doping
German cycling star Jan Ullrich has been convicted of doping charges by the international sporting court, which sentenced him to a two-year ban on professional competitions.
· Blind quantum computing points to the future
A Vienna team has shown how to send encrypted data to a quantum computer. But a stable and powerful quantum computer remains a long way off.
· German exports break trillion-euro mark in 2011
Although the German economy began to slow toward the end of 2011, exports still managed to reach the record-breaking trillion-euro mark. Imports also rose to all-time highs.
· European Central Bank battles credit crunch
Although the ECB is legally prohibited from becoming a lender of last resort, analysts and experts are concerned that the central bank is circumventing its own rules and buying bonds through the backdoor.
· England coach Fabio Capello resigns
Following the English Football Association's decision to remove John Terry from his position as captain of the squad, England coach Fabio Capello has resigned.