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A campaign to win Scotland's independence from the United Kingdom was launched Friday in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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1 killed, 18 wounded in Turkey suicide bombingupdated Fri May 25 2012 07:21:45

A suicide bombing in central Turkey on Friday morning left one person dead -- not including two suicide bombers killed by the blast -- and 18 people wounded, the country's prime minister and interior minister said.

Tapes hold N. Ireland murder secretsupdated Fri May 25 2012 04:48:01

Audio recordings locked inside a college library in the United States might help solve a decades-old murder mystery, but the release of those tapes could damage the fragile peace in Northern Ireland.

Board votes to fire Vatican Bank president updated Thu May 24 2012 18:40:02

The president of the Vatican Bank is expected to lose his job when the Commission of Cardinals meets Friday, according to Vatican analyst John Allen.

Lawyer: Norwegian killer vows not to appeal guilty verdict if found saneupdated Thu May 24 2012 15:53:30

Anders Behring Breivik promised Thursday that he would not appeal if a court finds him sane and guilty in charges tied to the killings of 77 people last year in Norway, his lawyer said.

UK detectives to go to Libya to probe 1984 slaying of London officerupdated Thu May 24 2012 14:23:50

London detectives have been granted visas to Libya to continue an investigation into the 1984 shooting death of Scotland Yard officer killed outside the Libyan diplomatic offices in London, authorities said Thursday.

Think you know the prince of gaffes? Take our quizupdated Thu May 24 2012 10:19:58

Prince Philip has been a constant companion to the Queen, playing the dutiful role of Queen's consort during their 64 years of marriage. But during this time the Duke of Edinburgh has become an expert in what he describes as "dontopedalogy... The science of opening your mouth and putting your foot in it, a science which I have practiced for a good many years." We have mixed in the Duke of Edinburgh's gaffes among other famous faux pas. Take our quiz and see how many of Philip's gaffes you can spot.

Welcome to the world's nicest prisonupdated Thu May 24 2012 09:07:44

Jan Petter Vala, who is serving a prison sentence for murder, has hands the size of dinner plates and shoulders like those of an ox. In an alcoholic rage, he used his brutish strength to strangle his girlfriend to death a few years ago.

Prince Philip: The man behind the queenupdated Thu May 24 2012 09:02:10

Known as much for his gaffes, brusque manner and eccentricities as for his charity and campaigning work, Prince Philip seems to have lived a life permanently in the shadow of his wife, Queen Elizabeth II.

Russia test-fires missile amid tensions over NATO defense shield announcementupdated Wed May 23 2012 06:24:26

Russia test-fired a ballistic missile Wednesday, a move that comes amid tensions about a recent NATO announcement that it placed an interim missile defense shield in Europe.

London Olympics torch carriers try to cash in on roleupdated Tue May 22 2012 10:07:11

It's not just the athletes going for gold in the 2012 London Olympics -- it appears that some of the torch bearers may be trying to cash in on the role of carrying the flame.

Moderate earthquake rattles Bulgariaupdated Mon May 21 2012 21:02:24

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck Bulgaria on Tuesday, about 14 miles outside the capital of Sofia, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

12 students dead in Albania bus crashupdated Mon May 21 2012 13:39:25

A bus carrying Albanian university students plunged hundreds of feet into a ravine Monday, killing at least 12 people according to police.

Eco-fashionista campaigns for sexy, sustainable fashionupdated Mon May 21 2012 06:44:48

Be prepared, the next big thing facing a green makeover might just be your closet.

New quake rattles Italy after earlier tremor kills 7updated Mon May 21 2012 05:20:59

Northern Italy was shaken by an aftershock Monday morning, a day after a magnitude-6.0 quake killed at least seven people and left thousands of survivors huddling in tents or cars overnight.

Police: New inquiry against Strauss-Kahn includes allegations of gang rapeupdated Mon May 21 2012 04:32:53

French prosecutors have widened an investigation into former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's alleged participation in a prostitution ring.

New Serbian president in pro-European pledgeupdated Mon May 21 2012 04:31:13

Nationalist Tomislav Nikolic vowed to keep Serbia on a pro-European course as he was elected as the country's new president.

Polish pony that survived the Nazis uniting Europe's nature reservesupdated Mon May 21 2012 01:30:45

A small Polish wild horse that was used in Nazi experiments during the 1930s has become the center of wetland regeneration efforts across parts of Europe.

Poland's 'rising star' chef aims to transform national cuisineupdated Sun May 20 2012 22:50:27

To create the future of Polish cuisine, chef Wojciech Amaro looked to the 16th century for inspiration.

Poland in picturesupdated Sun May 20 2012 22:08:26

Lockerbie victims' families: Relief, angerupdated Sun May 20 2012 11:00:14

Relief expressed Sunday at the death of Pan Am 103 bomber Abdelbeset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi by relatives of some of his 270 victims was tempered by still-smoldering anger at his release from prison more than two years ago.

Italy school attack not tied to mafia, prosecutor saysupdated Sun May 20 2012 05:04:43

A bombing at a school in Italy was likely "the isolated action of a single man" and not tied to the mafia, an official said Sunday.

Italy quake kills 7; survivors huddle in tents, carsupdated Sun May 20 2012 00:59:57

Thousands of survivors huddled in tents or in their cars under rainy skies early Monday following a weekend earthquake that killed seven people across northern Italy.

Spitfires and parade mark Queen's Diamond Jubileeupdated Sat May 19 2012 09:59:35

Thousands of members of the British Armed Forces took part in a parade and flypast at Windsor Castle Saturday as part of celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years on the throne.

Blast outside school in Italy kills at least 1, several woundedupdated Sat May 19 2012 06:00:10

At least one girl has died and half a dozen are injured following a bomb blast outside a school in the southern Italian city of Brindisi, Italian officials said Saturday.

Olympic torch starts 70-day journey round UKupdated Sat May 19 2012 04:24:26

The Olympic torch began its 70-day, 8,000-mile journey around Britain Saturday from Land's End in Cornwall, with three-time Olympic gold medal winner Ben Ainslie the first to carry the torch.

Wrecked Costa Concordia to be raised from Italian sea bedupdated Fri May 18 2012 11:59:21

Salvage experts outlined their plan Friday to raise the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise liner from the sea floor off Italy in one piece and tow it from the disaster site.

Merkel urges Greece to resolve political instabilityupdated Fri May 18 2012 08:37:03

The Greek government said Friday that in a phone conversation with the country's president, German Chancellor Angela Merkel suggested that the issue of whether his country remains in the eurozone be put to a referendum, a claim Germany flatly denied.

Spain faces bank concerns after downgradeupdated Fri May 18 2012 06:48:52

Spain's government called for calm Friday, a day after rating agency Moody's downgraded 16 Spanish banks in the latest sign of distress in Europe.

Rights groups criticize British queen's guest list for Jubilee monarchs' lunchupdated Fri May 18 2012 05:17:28

Rights groups have slammed a lunch hosted by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II on Friday for including monarchs criticized for their countries' human rights records.

Greece passes Olympic flame to Britainupdated Thu May 17 2012 13:24:26

Greece handed over the Olympic flame to Britain in an elaborate ceremony Thursday, 71 days before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

French finance minister says no EU fiscal pact without growthupdated Thu May 17 2012 08:02:50

Newly appointed Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said Thursday that France would not ratify a European pact on budget discipline if it does not include measures to boost growth.

Down and out in Paris: Afghan street kids in the French capitalupdated Thu May 17 2012 07:52:08

We're at a soup kitchen in a shabby back street in Paris, next to the canal Saint Martin, near the Jaurès metro stop. Hundreds of homeless people are queuing up for some hot food and a coffee. Most of them are from Asia; many from Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Court suspends Ratko Mladic war crimes trialupdated Thu May 17 2012 04:15:14

The war crimes trial of former Bosnian Serb commander Ratko Mladic was suspended until further notice Thursday over the prosecution's failure to disclose some evidence against Mladic, court spokeswoman Nerma Jelacic said.

Greeks voice frustration as world holds its breath for electionupdated Thu May 17 2012 00:09:07

With much of the business and financial world waiting nervously for the results of new elections in Greece, young people on the streets of Athens on Thursday sounded more concerned about the hardships the Greek people are facing than the international consequences of their upcoming vote.

Workers plug North Sea gas leakupdated Wed May 16 2012 21:48:28

Energy giant Total said Wednesday it was able to plug a well that had been leaking gas for seven weeks at a North Sea platform.

Analysis: In this battle with Mladic, women of Srebrenica hold the edgeupdated Wed May 16 2012 19:32:17

Seventeen years after the end of the war, Ratko Mladic gives the impression he is still on the battlefield in what was once Yugoslavia, staring down his enemy, glowering across the courtroom. Even gesticulating death threats.

A user's guide to the Chicago NATO summitupdated Wed May 16 2012 18:28:31

This year's NATO summit in Chicago is the biggest one ever, with some 60 countries expected to be in attendance and a host of issues crammed into two short days of meetings.

Fear and confusion rule as Greece faces uncertain futureupdated Wed May 16 2012 16:57:56

Confusion, fear, frustration -- emotions are running high among Greece's people as they face the prospect of new elections next month and massive uncertainty over the country's economic future.

Business leaders prepare for 'Grexit' as elected leaders avoid the subjectupdated Wed May 16 2012 15:12:30

They say a week is a long time in politics. In today's febrile world of finance, it's a lifetime.

French President Hollande picks moderate Cabinetupdated Wed May 16 2012 14:28:40

New French President Francois Hollande has chosen mostly moderates for his Cabinet, indicating an effort to build a broad coalition in the country.

Ratko Mladic: Brutal villain to many, hero to othersupdated Wed May 16 2012 04:48:40

Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb army commander who went on trial Wednesday for crimes against humanity, is a notorious name synonymous with the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the Balkan wars of the 1990s and the bloody assaults on Sarajevo and Srebrenica.

Greeks set election date amid possibility of bank panicupdated Wed May 16 2012 01:57:08

Greece will hold new elections on June 17, state media reported Wednesday, amid a political and economic crisis that could have effects far beyond the country's borders.

Mladic shows no remorse as war crimes trial opensupdated Wed May 16 2012 00:30:54

Ratko Mladic, who is accused of orchestrating a horrific campaign of ethnic cleansing during the bloody civil war that ripped apart Yugoslavia, showed no remorse as his war crimes trial opened Wednesday, at one point even appearing to threaten victims in the court.

Mobster's body exhumed from Vatican site in search for teen who vanishedupdated Tue May 15 2012 12:48:12

The body of a mobster buried among cardinals and bishops on a Vatican property has been exhumed in an investigation into a teenage girl's disappearance.

Jewish group condemns remarks by leader of Greek far-right partyupdated Tue May 15 2012 11:02:22

A Jewish group in Greece has condemned the leader of the extreme-right Golden Dawn party over comments he made about the Holocaust in a TV interview.

Long-awaited Mladic war crimes trial opens Wednesdayupdated Tue May 15 2012 10:10:18

From the day of his capture, Ratko Mladic has been as combative in custody as he was as a battlefield commander during the bloody civil war that ripped apart Yugoslavia two decades ago and saw the worst slaughter in Europe since Nazi rule.

Earth 'going downhill' as consumption rises, report saysupdated Tue May 15 2012 09:02:13

From high above the earth, an astronaut launched the latest report card on the health of the planet which once again paints an alarming image of over-consumption and exploitation.

Man sets himself on fire outside Breivik trial court in Norwayupdated Tue May 15 2012 08:27:51

A man set himself on fire Tuesday outside the court in Norway's capital, Oslo, where Anders Behring Breivik is on trial over terrorist attacks last summer that killed 77 people.

Murdoch insider Rebekah Brooks charged over phone-hacking inquiryupdated Tue May 15 2012 05:44:35

Former News International chief Rebekah Brooks blasted British prosecutors Tuesday for charging her with obstructing the investigation into phone hacking at media mogul Rupert Murdoch's British newspapers, calling the case "an expensive sideshow."

After meeting with Merkel, Hollande pushes for growthupdated Tue May 15 2012 01:20:07

France's freshly inaugurated Socialist president plunged Tuesday into the economic mess that has perplexed policymakers and threatened governments by calling for policies that would spur growth in the ailing eurozone.

Greece to hold new elections after stalemateupdated Tue May 15 2012 00:57:50

Greece will hold new elections in response to a political stalemate that left the debt-racked country unable to form a government, the office of President Karolos Papoulias said Tuesday.

Greek government talks fail; president calls for meeting Tuesday updated Mon May 14 2012 00:29:14

Efforts to form a unity government in Greece failed Monday, moving the country closer to a eurozone exit as the president called for another meeting Tuesday to seek a solution.

Merkel's party takes a loss in German state voteupdated Sun May 13 2012 16:55:43

Chancellor Angela Merkel's ruling party took a beating in Germany's largest state Sunday in a vote its leading candidate called a "bitter" defeat.

Greek government talks turn uglyupdated Sun May 13 2012 05:03:25

Greek politicians traded insults and accusations following new talks with President Karolos Papoulias to broker a coalition government, an effort that will resume Monday.

Thousands in Spain revive May 15 protests to rail against cuts, governmentupdated Sat May 12 2012 14:39:11

Chanting "they don't represent us," tens of thousands in Madrid railed early Sunday against Spain's government and austerity cuts -- venting their anger on the first anniversary of the so-called May 15 protest movement.

Greek president to seek to form unity governmentupdated Sat May 12 2012 07:06:45

Greek President Karolos Papoulias is to hold talks in the next day with party leaders in a bid to create a national unity government, his office said Saturday.

After years in captivity, dolphins releasedupdated Fri May 11 2012 16:00:12

Two dolphins who were rescued from a filthy pool at a Turkish tourism resort were released back into the wild this week after years in captivity.

Orbit Tower unveiled at London's Olympic Parkupdated Fri May 11 2012 14:45:21

London has unveiled The Orbit, the sculpture at the heart of the Olympic Park, with the city's mayor claiming the bright red swirling structure -- likened by many to a rollercoaster -- is better than the Eiffel Tower.

Still no deal in forming Greek coalitionupdated Fri May 11 2012 08:42:15

Greek politicians have been unable to form a new government in their economically embattled land late Friday, and the president might have to step in to breach the impasse.

Lesson from history for Olympic missile row?updated Fri May 11 2012 04:26:42

For the past week, members of Britain's armed forces have been taking part in major exercises to prepare for the Olympics in London later this summer. Alongside the emergency drills and simulated alarms, designed to ready the city for potential terror threats to the 2012 Games, soldiers have also practiced launching missiles from the city's rooftops.

Rebekah Brooks quizzed over political ties at UK hacking hearingupdated Fri May 11 2012 04:12:58

Rebekah Brooks, a former newspaper editor and News Corp. executive, was grilled Friday about her close relationship with Prime Minister David Cameron and other top politicians at a UK inquiry into media ethics.

Phone-hacking scandal: Who is Rebekah Brooks?updated Thu May 10 2012 13:42:36

Rebekah Brooks, the former chief executive of News International, has been charged with trying to obstruct a police investigation into the phone-hacking scandal.

Greece: Why not let it sink? updated Thu May 10 2012 13:16:22

Greece may have given us the word democracy and many of the principles of civil society. But now it is "the sick man of Europe," and the people of other European democracies are asking whether it's worth saving with billions more dollars of their money. Put crudely, their argument is this: So what if Greece slides ignominiously out of the eurozone?

Russia foils 2014 Winter Olympics terror plot, state media reportsupdated Thu May 10 2012 08:43:52

Russia's security service has foiled a plot to attack the 2014 Winter Olympics in the Black Sea city of Sochi, state media reported Thursday.

Ex-Cameron aide Coulson testifies at UK hacking inquiry updated Thu May 10 2012 06:42:54

A former Rupert Murdoch newspaper editor who became a spokesman for British Prime Minister David Cameron told a probe into British press ethics that he did not know about phone hacking while he was editor.

Greek Socialist leader gets chance to form governmentupdated Thu May 10 2012 00:00:16

The leader of the socialist PASOK party in Greece is starting efforts to build a government, his party said, making him the third Greek politician since Sunday to try to do so.

Ukraine: Caught between East and Westupdated Wed May 09 2012 20:35:24

Seven and a half years ago, scenes of jubilant crowds celebrating the outcome of Ukraine's Orange Revolution -- a new presidential vote after a rigged election was annulled -- filled TV screens around the world.

UK wins round in Qatada deportation battleupdated Wed May 09 2012 11:46:35

The European Court of Human Rights will not intervene again to stop Britain from deporting Abu Qatada, whom the British accuse of being a terrorist fundraiser and an inspiration to one of the hijackers on September 11, 2001, the court said Wednesday.

Portugal cancels holidays after Vatican talksupdated Wed May 09 2012 09:30:43

Portugal is eliminating four holidays to try to boost its economy, the government announced -- but only after getting the agreement of the Vatican.

Marked with pomp, queen's speech lays out British government's plans updated Wed May 09 2012 06:30:11

Queen Elizabeth II laid out the British government's plans for the coming year in a speech Wednesday marked by pomp and tradition.

Coalition deal eludes Greek politicians updated Wed May 09 2012 06:20:08

Greek politicians failed to forge a coalition government Wednesday as a leftist leader huddled separately with two of his counterparts who've supported the austerity initiatives he opposes.

Official: Former Ukrainian prime minister transferred to hospital updated Wed May 09 2012 05:42:18

A former Ukrainian prime minister was transferred to a hospital for treatment Wednesday, a day after she agreed to end her nearly three-week hunger strike, her spokeswoman said.

Anger at austerity, immigration feeds far right's rise in Europeupdated Tue May 08 2012 14:26:30

Two European elections, in France and Greece, have thrust the radical fringe into the spotlight.

Former Ukrainian prime minister to end hunger strikeupdated Tue May 08 2012 12:51:46

Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has agreed to end her nearly three-week hunger strike and receive medical treatment, her spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Greek leftist leader lays out radical agendaupdated Tue May 08 2012 05:54:51

Greek leftist leader Alexis Tsipras on Tuesday laid out the radical agenda he hopes to pursue if he becomes prime minister, including the cancellation of severe budget-cutting measures forced on the country by international lenders.

European voters revolt against austerity, cutsupdated Tue May 08 2012 04:55:59

Europeans are revolting -- against their leaders and established political parties, against an austerity plan 'made in Germany', and against a future that promises declining living standards and shriveling public services.

Romania's parliament approves new governmentupdated Mon May 07 2012 15:59:54

Romania's newly appointed government won the approval of parliament Monday, gaining the official right to run the country.

François Hollande: Left turn for France?updated Mon May 07 2012 10:43:06

François Hollande, the newly-inaugurated President of France, may be as notable for what he has not done as for what he has.

The boat that Hendrix's guitar builtupdated Mon May 07 2012 08:06:15

A piece of rock legend Jimi Hendrix's guitar, teak from China, a salad server and a plank of wood from a newly constructed London Olympic venue. Each item of this unusual collection of materials has its own unique history and now they have been put together to create a new sailing boat.

French President-elect Hollande casts doubt on austerityupdated Mon May 07 2012 06:43:36

The election of François Hollande as president of France sent shock waves through markets in Asia and Europe on Monday and prompted German Chancellor Angela Merkel to lay down red lines about Europe's future.

Greek uncertainty deepens as first coalition effort failsupdated Mon May 07 2012 04:07:12

Greece's main center-right party has failed to form a coalition government Monday, adding yet more uncertainty to the debt-ridden country's political situation.

Early foreign policy tests await France's Hollandeupdated Mon May 07 2012 03:57:20

The calm and cautious François Hollande, who dramatically wrested the French presidency from Nicolas Sarkozy on Sunday, faces immediate foreign policy challenges, analysts say.

Putin returns as Russia's president amid protestsupdated Mon May 07 2012 03:45:43

Vladimir Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for more than a decade, was sworn in Monday as the country's president two months after winning back the job in an election clouded by allegations of widespread fraud.

Serbian presidential election heads for runoffupdated Sun May 06 2012 22:32:26

Serbian President Boris Tadic and his challenger Tomislav Nikolic were heading for a run-off with initial results showing Tadic and his Democratic party slightly ahead in presidential and parliamentary elections.

Anti-Putin protesters clash with police; more than 250 arrestedupdated Sun May 06 2012 20:21:13

An anti-government protest in Moscow turned violent Sunday, with some demonstrators clashing with police after they veered off their agreed-upon route.

Turkish journalists missing in Syria finally phone homeupdated Sun May 06 2012 09:57:04

One of two Turkish journalists missing in Syria called home Saturday, ending nearly two months of speculation about their well-being but failing to clear up questions about who is holding them or when they might be freed.

Socialist Hollande in, Sarkozy out, as France elects a new presidentupdated Sun May 06 2012 02:03:00

Francois Hollande defeated French President Nicolas Sarkozy in a presidential runoff Sunday, signaling a shift to the left as the country and Europe fight to dig out of a weak economy.

Voters punish Greece's centrist parties, setting stage for new governmentupdated Sun May 06 2012 00:20:15

Voters dealt major blows to Greece's two most established parties in parliamentary elections Sunday, leaving no party with anything approaching a majority and the politically and economically volatile nation even more in flux.

Crowds gather for opening of 2012 Olympic Stadiumupdated Sat May 05 2012 11:39:01

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the official opening of the Olympic Stadium for the 2012 Games in east London on Saturday.

Scores remain hospitalized after Armenian rally explosionupdated Sat May 05 2012 11:22:58

Nearly half of those injured by exploding gas-filled balloons during a political campaign rally in Armenia's capital remained hospitalized on Saturday, according to state media.

France gears up for presidential runoff updated Sat May 05 2012 06:27:49

France votes Sunday in a presidential runoff pitting incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy against Francois Hollande in an election dominated by economy, unemployment and immigration concerns.

Greek voters prepare for key election amid austerity crisisupdated Sat May 05 2012 05:15:24

Voters in Greece prepared Saturday to take part in parliamentary elections, with wide uncertainty over what government will emerge from Sunday's vote and how it will handle the austerity crisis gripping the nation.

Russian general raises idea of pre-emptive strike against missile shieldupdated Sat May 05 2012 05:07:09

With talks deadlocked between the United States and Russia over plans to deploy a missile defense shield in Europe, a top Russian general raised the possibility of a possible pre-emptive strike against launch sites if a deal could not be reached.

Johnson wins second term as London's mayorupdated Sat May 05 2012 01:24:05

Boris Johnson was re-elected as Mayor of London Friday after a narrow victory over Ken Livingstone, who held the post until 2008.

French prosecutors looking into new allegations against Strauss-Kahnupdated Fri May 04 2012 19:34:31

French prosecutors said Friday they are considering widening an investigation into former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn's alleged participation in a prostitution ring.

UK ministers given core role in hacking inquiry updated Fri May 04 2012 12:00:34

Eight UK government ministers were given the right Friday to see written witness statements before the witnesses testify to an independent inquiry into phone hacking and news media ethics.

Ireland's top Catholic cleric faces calls to resign over abuse scandalupdated Fri May 04 2012 10:09:07

Ireland's top Roman Catholic cleric, Cardinal Sean Brady, was under mounting pressure to resign Friday amid renewed allegations about his role in dealing with the sexual abuse of children by priests.

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