EU performs abrupt U-turn on olive oil regulation

The EU has something important to say about its proposal to regulate olive oil on restaurant tables: Uh, never mind.

EU bid to label Hezbollah wing terror group

The European Union is reassessing whether to declare the Lebanese party Hezbollah's military wing a terrorist organization, a move it has long shied from despite pressure from the U.S., officials said Wednesday.

Pigeon sale yields world record for feathered Bolt

Flying high above Europe's economic crisis, a local lightning-fast pigeon called Bolt became the world's most expensive racing bird when his Belgian breeder sold it for 310,000 euros ($400,000) to a Chinese businessman.

31 people detained in $50M diamond heist from airport

BRUSSELS - Unlike the brilliant thieves in "Ocean's Eleven," it appears that those behind the clockwork-precision, $50 million diamond heist at Brussels Airport may not get a Hollywood ending.

France opens debate on sex life of disabled

PARIS - Steven Coppens had already spent most of his lifetime battling illness before his autoimmune disease took yet another toll seven years ago, leaving him in a wheelchair.

On a time-travel trip through Italy

The Grande Canale in the heart of Venice bustles with water traffic. Twain fell under the spell of the city, "afloat on the placid sea."

On a time-travel trip through Italy

Tourists at the Palace of the Doges in the heart of Venice.

On a time-travel trip through Italy

Gondolas in a traffic jam on a narrow canal of Venice.

On a time-travel trip through Italy

Cathedral spires, "that forest of graceful needles," in Milan.

On a time-travel trip through Italy

FERRARA, Italy - I came to Italy to test a French adage by way of an American writer, Mark Twain.

EU: Recovery possible with austerity

BRUSSELS - The European Union says that a recession brought on by a crippling debt crisis could give way to a modest recovery later this year - provided governments persevere on the tough austerity track.

UE apoya propuesta que prohíbe cortar aletas a los tiburones

BRUSELAS.– Las naciones de la Unión Europea respaldaron el lunes una propuesta que prohíbe pescar tiburones sólo para cortar sus aletas y arrojarlos de nuevo al mar para que mueran.

Track and field world championships: Gold for Bolt in 4th-best 200 ever

DAEGU, South Korea - Six days and a slow start later, Usain Bolt finally won gold at the world championships, running the fourth-fastest 200 meters in history to back up his showmanship with a stunning performance.

Women's World Cup: Euro rising: Large crowds see Germany, France win

SINSHEIM, Germany - On a great day for women's soccer, it was a good day for Europe's teams.

US to keep secondary role in Libya despite pleas

WASHINGTON - Despite rebel setbacks and an increasingly public rift with NATO allies, the U.S. will stick to its plan to remain in the back seat of the Libya air campaign, the Obama administration insisted Tuesday after three weeks of air missions that have failed to turn the tide against Mo…

Uchimura, Mustafina pick up golds

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - Kohei Uchimura of Japan overcame searing shoulder pain to retain his all-around title Friday, and 16-year old Aliya Mustafina of Russia won the women's event for her second gold medal at the world gymnastics championships.

US falters; China wins title

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - China won its fourth straight men's team title at the world championships on Thursday, while the United States struggled on the pommel horse and finished fourth.

'Lord of the rings' helps China into first at championships

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - China moved into the lead of team qualifying Tuesday at the world gymnastics championships, pushing Japan into second place.

Russia leads qualifying, US women start today

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - A brilliant all-around performance by Aliya Mustafina led Russia past China and into the provisional lead of the women's team qualifying at the world gymnastics championships Saturday.

'Intense' victory

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - David Villa finished off a move of Spanish perfection to finally break down Portugal's defensive wall Tuesday, giving the European champions a 1-0 win and a spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.

Villa the difference as Spain beats Portugal 1-0

Spain's David Villa scored off his own rebound, finally breaking down Portugal's defense in a 1-0 victory that put the European champs in the World Cup quarterfinal.

World Cup stadiums give nation, workers, big boost

Every night, when Louis Dubazana passes Soccer City in a bus heading toward his apartment in Soweto, the look of the rusty-colored dome over the stadium fills him with pride. When other passengers also marvel at the World Cup stadium, it is just too much for him. The junior foreman has to te…

Italy and France have the blues

Four years after reaching the World Cup final, Italy's Azzurri and France's Les Bleus appear to have a bad case of, well, the blues just days ahead of their opening matches.

Both Georgia, Russia claim vindication

BRUSSELS — Georgia and Russia both claimed to find vindication in Wednesday's independent report on the causes of their 2008 war, but neither seemed likely to be able to take the moral high ground because of its blunt judgments.

Henin, 7-time Slam champ, unretiring after 1-year absence

BRUSSELS — Justine Henin is seeking the elusive Wimbledon title in her return to the WTA Tour.

After another gold and record, Bolt waiting for knighthood

BERLIN — Usain Bolt startled the world again.

US ends Spain's reign

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — The world will surely take notice of this.

Late German goal stuffs Turkey in semifinal

BASEL, Switzerland — In one of the wilder finishes of an unpredictable European Championship, it figures that a player struggling to find his game would score the winner.

Going out on top: Henin announces retirement

LIMELETTE, Belgium — The determination that helped Justine Henin beat bigger, stronger opponents time and again was fading.

Marathon record-holder might skip games

VALENCIA, Spain — World record-holder Haile Gebrselassie is almost certain to miss the marathon at the Beijing Olympics because of the city's poor air quality.

Edwards eyeing 100 sweep for U.S.

OSAKA, Japan — Torri Edwards thinks it's now her turn.

WWI British soldiers finally pardoned

POPERINGE, Belgium — In Flanders Fields, justice has come late to Sgt. John Thomas Wall.

Portugal win over Holland puts coaches in foul mood

NUREMBERG, Germany — Portugal survived a brutal foul-fest with the Netherlands, one of the dirtiest matches in World Cup history on Sunday. Cleats bashed into thighs and shoulders, heads butted and elbows flew.