Europe News - AP

Austrian parliament OKs gay civil unions
AP – Thu Dec 10, 4:13 pm ET

VIENNA - Austria's parliament passed legislation Thursday allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, a move hailed by proponents as a historic win for gay rights in the country. Full Story »
Obama talks of power of Nobel prize
AP – Thu Dec 10, 4:06 pm ET

OSLO - President Barack Obama says the Nobel Peace Prize has had "extraordinary power" to lift up those who would otherwise be forgotten. Full Story »
World powers could hold Iran meeting next week
AP – Thu Dec 10, 4:06 pm ET

AP

BRUSSELS - World powers trying to end a standoff over Iran's nuclear program are weighing whether to meet next week to discuss tougher measures, a European Union official said Thursday as Russia reiterated its reluctance to agree to new sanctions. Full Story »
Oye, new Spanish grammar guidelines unveiled
AP – Thu Dec 10, 2:18 pm ET

AP

MADRID - Can a Barcelona truck driver be expected to speak like a Buenos Aires banker? Can rules be imposed on a language spoken by 400 million people stretching from Madrid to Manila? Full Story »
New Russian missile may be behind Norwegian lights
AP – Thu Dec 10, 2:07 pm ET

AP

MOSCOW - The failure of a new Russian intercontinental ballistic missile during testing was the cause of spectacular spiraling blue lights in the skies over northern Norway, analysts said Thursday. Full Story »
Kurdish rebels claim killing of 7 Turkish soldiers
AP – Thu Dec 10, 1:31 pm ET

AP

ANKARA, Turkey - Kurdish rebels on Thursday claimed responsibility for the ambush killing of seven Turkish soldiers, a Kurdish news agency said. The attack caused outrage and was seen as a blow to the government's efforts to reconcile with minority Kurds. Full Story »
Pope sees signs of religious freedom in Cuba
AP – Thu Dec 10, 1:10 pm ET

AP

VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday there are growing signs of religious freedom in Cuba and that there is an opportunity for reconciliation between the communist nation and the United States. Full Story »
Swiss stop pioneering geothermal project
AP – Thu Dec 10, 1:08 pm ET

GENEVA - Switzerland has ended a pioneering geothermal project, authorities said Thursday, three years after the deep drilling into the ground caused a series of earthquakes, scaring residents of the northwestern city of Basel. Full Story »
Obama: Afghanistan troop drawdown won't be steep
AP – Thu Dec 10, 12:23 pm ET

OSLO - President Barack Obama said Thursday that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, set to start in 19 months, will be gradual and U.S. aid to that nation will last for years. Full Story »
Glance at 2009 Nobel Prize winners
AP – Thu Dec 10, 12:11 pm ET

The prestigious Nobel Prizes are awarded annually on Dec. 10 in twin ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo. Here is a look at this year's winners and their work: Full Story »