Central Europe
UN seeks to end toilet 'taboo'
Mar 22, 2013 04:45 EDT
The United Nations launched a campaign Friday to lift a deadly taboo on talking about toilets and to turn the world into an "open defecation-free zone."
World Cup hopefuls stay focused before showdown
Mar 22, 2013 00:01 EDT
With just over a year to go until the World Cup, some of Europe's leading nations are hoping to take a major step towards sealing their places in the finals in Brazil in a busy week of qualifying.
Serena eases through Miami opener
Mar 21, 2013 22:59 EDT
Serena Williams got her quest for a record sixth Miami WTA title off to a brisk start on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta.
Balotelli levels as Italy draw 2-2 with Brazil
Mar 21, 2013 19:23 EDT
Daniele De Rossi sparked Italy's fightback and Mario Balotelli scored a superb second-half equaliser as the Azzurri battled to a 2-2 draw against Brazil in a friendly on Thursday.
Serena quick out of blocks in Miami
Mar 21, 2013 17:03 EDT
Serena Williams got her quest for a record sixth WTA title on the hardcourts of Miami off to a brisk start on Thursday with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta.
Poles chase away winter by burning and drowning dolls
Mar 21, 2013 15:32 EDT
Clutching a gaudy homemade doll in flames, students gathered Thursday on a frosty footbridge in central Poland to toss it into the river -- an ancient rite repeated across the country every March 21.
Pro-fracking filmmaker accuses IMF of censorship
Mar 21, 2013 14:36 EDT
The maker of a documentary in support of oil and gas fracking accused the International Monetary Fund Thursday of censorship after it declined to show a key clip from his film at a conference.
Nobel laureate says pope not complicit in 'Dirty War'
Mar 21, 2013 13:02 EDT
Pope Francis was "not complicit" with Argentina's brutal military dictatorship and pursued a "silent diplomacy" , Nobel peace laureate Adolfo Perez Esquivel said on Thursday, following criticism the pontiff had failed to speak out.
Ferdinand confronts 'haters' over Qatar trip
Mar 21, 2013 12:42 EDT
Rio Ferdinand insisted Thursday there was nothing controversial about his decision to fly to Qatar in the week he withdrew from England World Cup qualifying duty.
Rio Ferdinand confronts 'haters' over Qatar trip
Mar 21, 2013 11:58 EDT
Rio Ferdinand insisted Thursday there was nothing controversial about his decision to fly to Qatar in the week he withdrew from England World Cup qualifying duty.
70 years on, Czechs hail wartime Jewish league
Mar 21, 2013 01:09 EDT
Locked up in the Nazi transit camp of Terezin, Jewish prisoners created their own football league, which Czech football recently commemorated by finally granting it official recognition.
Is South Africa the odd BRIC out?
Mar 21, 2013 01:01 EDT
The meeting of BRICS leaders in Durban next week could uncharitably be described as a summit of the world's emerging economic powers, plus South Africa.
Paul McCartney to kick off world tour in Poland
Mar 20, 2013 17:26 EDT
Paul McCartney will kick off a world tour in Warsaw on June 22, four days after he turns 71, the former Beatle's official website annouced Wednesday.
Temelin, a Czech village overshadowed by disputed nuclear plant
Mar 20, 2013 14:51 EDT
Flanked by Germany, which is phasing out nuclear power, and Austria, which has already done so, the Czech Republic is pinning its future on atomic energy.
US commitment to Europe missile defence 'ironclad'
Mar 20, 2013 12:13 EDT
Washington's commitment to defending Europe from missile attacks remains unbending, a top US security official said Wednesday, after it froze the final phase of a plan to counter threats from North Korea and Iran.
Philippines seeks UN protection for peacekeepers
Mar 20, 2013 12:10 EDT
The Philippines has asked the United Nations to provide more protection to its peacekeeping forces, Manila said Wednesday after announcing its troops would remain in the Golan Heights after a recent abduction.
Erdogan says comments on Zionism 'misunderstood'
Mar 20, 2013 08:19 EDT
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks published Wednesday that his controversial comments branding Zionism a crime against humanity had been misunderstood.
Balkan game fails to live up to the past
Mar 20, 2013 07:28 EDT
Football was a vehicle for national pride in the former Yugoslavia, enjoying support from the political elite and state policies designed to create competitive teams and world-class players.
Pennetta puts herself in Serena's path at Miami
Mar 19, 2013 22:25 EDT
Italy's Flavia Pennetta booked herself a second-round clash with World No. 1 Serena Williams at the Miami Masters after a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Swede Johanna Larsson.
Diana dresses raise over £850,000 at London sale
Mar 19, 2013 18:26 EDT
Ten dresses owned by Princess Diana, including the one worn when she danced with actor John Travolta at a White House dinner, sold for £862,800 at a London auction on Tuesday.
