Western Europe
Gap between rich and poor widening in Spain: charity
Mar 20, 2013 16:26 EDT
The income gap between the richest and poorest people in Spain has widened by 30 percent since 2006 due to the country's sharp economic downturn, the Spanish branch of Catholic charity Caritas said Wednesday.
Tiger tries to dethrone No. 1 McIlroy
Mar 20, 2013 16:25 EDT
Tiger Woods, who can overtake Rory McIlroy for World No. 1 by defending his title this week at Bay Hill, says he and ski star Lindsey Vonn went public as a couple to combat "stalker-azzi."
Qaeda says French hostage executed in Mali
Mar 20, 2013 16:16 EDT
Paris was scrambling Wednesday to verify a claim by Al-Qaeda's north African branch that it has executed a French hostage in retaliation for France's military intervention in Mali.
Old grandfathers, abuse in women linked to autism
Mar 20, 2013 16:09 EDT
Having an older grandfather or being a mother who was abused in her youth are linked to higher odds of having a child with autism, according to two studies published Wednesday in a leading US psychiatry journal.
Beckham, in Beijing, says open to playing on
Mar 20, 2013 15:08 EDT
Sporting legend David Beckham raised the prospect of one last stop on his global football journey Wednesday, refusing to rule out playing in China after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ends.
Del Bosque admits to France fears
Mar 20, 2013 14:59 EDT
Spain coach Vincente Del Bosque has admitted he fears France ahead of the two European giants' 2014 World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France next Tuesday.
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.
Saudi prince jailed in Britain for murder flies home
Mar 20, 2013 14:46 EDT
A Saudi prince jailed for life in Britain for murdering his servant has been flown home to serve the rest of his sentence, the British government said Wednesday.
Don't make us scapegoats for 6Nations woe - French clubs
Mar 20, 2013 14:28 EDT
French clubs on Wednesday fired back at criticism labelling them as the main reason France performed so badly in the recently-concluded Six Nations.
Madrid bid team expecting to lead IOC report
Mar 20, 2013 14:26 EDT
The president of Madrid's bid to host the 2020 Olympics, Alejandro Blanco said Wednesday he expects the Spanish capital will receive the highest technical score when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Evaluation Commission publish their reports all three candidate cities.
Khamenei urges Iran to stand up to sanctions
Mar 20, 2013 14:17 EDT
Iran began the Persian New Year on Wednesday with its most senior leader asking the people to stand up to piling Western economic sanctions and also warning that the pressure was unlikely to ease.
French troops to pull out of Mali 'from end' of April: PM
Mar 20, 2013 14:02 EDT
French troops will begin pulling out of troubled Mali "from the end of April", French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told parliament on Wednesday.
Mourinho comes in for new Ramos criticism
Mar 20, 2013 13:38 EDT
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said he would have preferred manager Jose Mourinho to laud his own side's efforts rather than those of Manchester United after Madrid eliminated the English side from the Champions League.
France game 'key to qualification' - Busquets
Mar 20, 2013 13:33 EDT
Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is targeting six points from two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France over the next six days to help secure the world champions place in Brazil next year.
England's Hart says he's his 'strongest critic'
Mar 20, 2013 13:31 EDT
England goalkeeper Joe Hart reacted Tuesday to an inconsistent season with Premier League champions Manchester City by insisting he was his "strongest critic".
UN Western Sahara envoy kicks off new tour
Mar 20, 2013 13:31 EDT
The UN envoy on the Western Sahara Christopher Ross met Moroccan officials in Rabat on Wednesday at the start of a new two-week tour of the region aimed at reviving peace talks to end the decades-old conflict.
'I'm not drinking today' says Gascoigne
Mar 20, 2013 13:30 EDT
Troubled former England football star Paul Gascoigne said Wednesday he could not be certain if he would ever touch alcohol again after being taken to a hospital in the United States last month.
Starman: London show hails rock icon David Bowie
Mar 20, 2013 13:28 EDT
Outrageous costumes and hand-scrawled lyrics are among hundreds of items going on show in a major London retrospective tracing David Bowie's relentless self-reinventions over five decades.
European equities stage rebound
Mar 20, 2013 13:27 EDT
Most European stock markets rebounded on Wednesday following two days of losses caused by Cyprus' bailout drama.
London shares fall
Mar 20, 2013 13:21 EDT
London shares closed lower on Wednesday as the government announced its intention to stick firmly to a barrage of austerity measures while unveiling the budget.
