French designer Pierre Cardin has outlined his plan for a 255-metre tower called the Palais Lumière, which he wants to build in an industrial port area on the famous Venice Lagoon.

“I want to offer Venice a big garden for eternity,” the Italian-born Mr Cardin told reporters in the city, where some locals are horrified by the project.

The 90-year-old said he wanted the project completed in time for the Milan Expo, to be held in 2015.

The 65-floor tower in Porto Marghera would rise on a 40-hectare lot occupied by warehouses.

The complex would be made up of six giant discs held up by three towers of different heights, and is referred to by its designers as a “vertical city ”.

It would house apartments as well as hotels, restaurants, research centres and sport installations on a total surface of 250,000 square metres.

Explosive relationship

A man has been accused of blowing up his daughter’s boyfriend in Cologne.

He forced his way into the victim’s apartment and poured petrol on the floor.

The explosion that followed hurled the 17-year-old from a fourth-floor window.

He died at the scene and the father was left in a coma.

Bang and grab

Would-be robbers blew up a bank cash machine in Athens, damaging parked cars and smashing windows in nearby shops and flats.

They used a makeshift device made from a large cooking gas canister wired to some form of electric detonator. Police said the motive appeared to have been to steal money.

Cheryl Cole injured in crash

Cheryl Cole and Will.i.am have been injured in a car crash. The pair were left with whiplash after a minor accident in Los Angeles, which occurred early on Wednesday after they left a studio after a long recording session.

According to reports, Will.i.am was driving a Cadillac, which hit a parked car while his friend Cheryl was in the front passenger seat.

Both quickly assured fans they were fine.

Will.i.am had a full check-up at a nearby hospital, while Cheryl was treated at the scene of the accident.