Thousands of tourists wearing masks and costumes thronged Venice's car-free streets on Saturday as the city's celebration of Carnival began.

k.d. lang marks 25 years of music with a greatest hits collection.

Even budget travellers in Italy can afford to factor in some luxury, writes Peter Bills.

There is still 18 months to go - but sharp homeowners are already queuing up to rent out their properties during the Rugby World Cup.

Belfast's murals are testimony to the depth of division between the city's Protestant and Catholic communities.

Scientists have succeeded in reading the mind of a man thought to have been lacking all awareness after a traumatic head injury.

Plans to hold a topless tobogganing competition next month in the east German ski resort of Oberwiesenthal have caused a furore.

From sport to soaps, its disciples believe it will revolutionise the way we watch. But is 3D TV really a giant leap forward in entertainment - or could it be an expensive flop?

The Spanish government said that 125,000 people registered as unemployed last month, taking the jobless total to around 17.5 per cent of the working population.

Scientists have for the first time found powerful evidence that genius may be linked with madness.

Sending children as young as 9 overseas for six months is a growing trend in the UK, where it's seen as one of the best ways to learn a second language.

No one from the UK arm of Bernard Madoff's fraudulent investment business will face prosecution, the Serious Fraud Office has decided.

Stevie Wonder and Muse are to headline this year's Glastonbury Festival.

Mercedes-Benz is adhering to a high-quality production process with the SLS AMG super-coupe.

Steven Tyler has reportedly moved to block his fellow members of Aerosmith from holding auditions to replace him as their singer.

Most adults lack an 'effective level of literacy'.

The almost indestructible, iconic French tumblers are boucing back into global domination.

The 3Ds have returned to reclaim their legend as the loudest goofiest pop band to have sprung from these shores.

Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne is one automotive industry executive sceptical about the ability of Dutch niche player Spyker Cars NV to turn around the fortunes of Sweden's Saab.