Sarkozy's legislation is only the latest move in a centuries-old grapple between the French state and organised religion

Angela Merkel faces a tough test as Germany goes to the polls. The country seems more inward-looking and nationalistic since the euro crisis. But this shift is both more subtle and not as recent as it appears

A referendum on independence is due, but saying farewell to the “free baguette” may prove unpalatable to many in France's neo-empire