Complete coverage on

Western Europe

The former top lawyer for the now-shuttered News of the World newspaper, Tom Crone, was arrested Thursday in London by police investigating phone hacking allegations, his wife confirmed.

Latest Stories

London set for opening of 2012 Paralympic Gamesupdated: Wed Aug 29 2012 08:33:00

Athletes and spectators are gearing up for Wednesday evening's opening of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, set to be the biggest ever held.

Spain's olive oil crisisupdated: Tue Aug 28 2012 22:28:00

CNN's Al Goodman looks at the economic and weather woes that have beset Spain's olive oil industry.

Spain's growth weaker than thoughtupdated: Mon Aug 27 2012 22:31:00

Spain's economic growth has been weaker over the past two years than previously reported, according to revised data published on Monday, indicating a deeper slump than earlier official estimates and further complicating Madrid's efforts to bring down its deficit.

UK tabloid prints naked Prince Harry picturesupdated: Fri Aug 24 2012 06:03:00

British tabloid The Sun on Friday became the first mainstream British newspaper to publish photographs of a vacationing Prince Harry in the nude.

Athens and Berlin in spat over fundsupdated: Thu Aug 23 2012 20:57:00

Leaders in Athens and Berlin wrangled publicly over how to deal with Greece's plea for further assistance as fears of a renewed eurozone recession mounted yesterday.

Ecuador grants asylum to WikiLeaks' Assangeupdated: Thu Aug 16 2012 16:48:00

Ecuador granted Julian Assange asylum over fears of political persecution Thursday, but it was hardly a reprieve as Britain vowed to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to Sweden to face questioning on sex crime charges.

Games close with fireworks displayupdated: Mon Aug 13 2012 09:53:00

The 2012 Summer Games end with a bang in the skies over London.

Eddie Izzard: 'Mo Farah is proof of great multicultural Britain'updated: Mon Aug 13 2012 09:53:00

There were so many golden moments at the London 2012 Games, but for me, the moment that Team GB's Mo Farah won the 10,000 meters was a wonderful collision of electricity.

Olympics: Why these are dark days for a cynicupdated: Mon Aug 13 2012 09:19:00

What has happened to my country? This last fortnight has made me feel like a foreigner in my own home as a collective wave of happy-clappy good will descended on this once curmudgeonly isle. Where has our natural suspicion of organized fun gone, our disdain for overt displays of emotion, our celebration of hapless failures.

Ye Shiwen: Doping allegations 'unfair'updated: Mon Aug 13 2012 08:10:00

Chinese swimming sensation Ye Shiwen says she believes the doping allegations against her are "really unfair."

Gold medallist Nadzeya Ostapchuk stripped after failing drug testupdated: Mon Aug 13 2012 08:10:00

Women's Olympic shot put champion Nadzeya Ostapchuk has been stripped of her gold medal after testing positive for a banned substance.

Olympics 2012: A spectacular triumph for Londonupdated: Sun Aug 12 2012 19:56:00

If voters in the United Kingdom were offered the chance tomorrow, in a snap referendum, to change the name of the nation to "Team GB" the result would hardly be in doubt.

London 2012 legacy: Trust the British to get it rightupdated: Sun Aug 12 2012 03:38:00

Trust the British to get it right -- in the end. When it comes to taking stock on London 2012, I believe the London Games will be regarded as having brought the Olympics concept home.

The Olympic park legacyupdated: Sun Aug 12 2012 03:38:00

CNN's Jim Boulden interviews Daniel Moylan, Chairman of London Legacy Development Corporation.

UK stamps celebrate goldupdated: Sat Aug 11 2012 12:32:00

CNN's Phil Han takes a look at how the Royal Mail is celebrating each team UK gold medal with a special stamp.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Saturdayupdated: Sat Aug 11 2012 01:17:00

Since starting with plenty of pomp, the 2012 London Olympics has been a forum for a number of stunning performances. Yet that won't be the case for much longer, as athletes have just two days left to realize their Olympic dreams. Here are five things to watch for Saturday, when 31 gold medals will be on the line:

UK to send 5 million pounds in aid to Syrian rebelsupdated: Fri Aug 10 2012 08:50:00

Great Britain said Friday it plans to send an extra 5 million pounds in aid to the Syrian rebels.

Five Things to Watch at the Olympics on Fridayupdated: Fri Aug 10 2012 01:16:00

The United States has injury worries on the track while the basketball team worries about a familiar foe.

Germany's high court expands gay rightsupdated: Thu Aug 09 2012 06:45:00

Germany's constitutional court has strengthened the rights of gay and lesbian couples, giving them a same tax benefit as heterosexual married couples.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Thursdayupdated: Thu Aug 09 2012 00:11:00

Usain Bolt bids to become the first man to win the Olympic sprint double twice while World Cup champ Japan seeks to win a second major football title.

Great Britain feeling good about Olympicsupdated: Wed Aug 08 2012 06:46:00

Smiles on Olympic volunteers, trains running on time and all the Gold medals. Its so un-British Jim Boulden reports.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Wednesdayupdated: Wed Aug 08 2012 00:10:00

A German tries again for a piece of gold medal history, and the sprint queens will find glory just around the corner.

Spain 'al Qaeda cell' may have planned strike to coincide with Olympicsupdated: Tue Aug 07 2012 11:19:00

Three suspected al Qaeda terrorists arrested last week in Spain appear to have been interested in targeting a Gibraltar-area shopping mall in a strike that was likely intended to coincide with the London Olympic Games, an analyst says.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Tuesdayupdated: Tue Aug 07 2012 00:21:00

It's a big day at track and field, topped by the always exciting men's 1,500-meter final. In other notable events, several athletes say farewell to the London Games while others look for one more shot at glory.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Mondayupdated: Mon Aug 06 2012 02:54:00

There's a lot to look forward to in the last week of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, including individual event finals for men's and women's gymnastics. Can all-around women's champ Gabby Douglas add to her gold tally in Monday's uneven bars? Who will reign supreme in the men's 400 meters, for which South Africa's Oscar Pistorius - the Olympics' first double amputee runner - failed to qualify.

Judge in Spain takes statements from terror suspectsupdated: Sat Aug 04 2012 10:30:00

A judge at the Spanish National Court took statements Friday from three men who may have been plotting terrorist attacks on British and U.S. targets, an Interior Ministry spokeswoman said.

Usain Bolt's street art portraitupdated: Fri Aug 03 2012 14:32:00

Look through street artist, Jimmy C's work including his Olympic portrait of Usain Bolt. Artwork by Jimmy C

The Olympics miss: Why street art should be embraced not snubbed updated: Fri Aug 03 2012 14:32:00

Hackney Wick is nestled next to the Olympic site, separated only by a waterway known as the Lee Navigation. It is a half industrial, half artistic enclave, little known to Londoners, but which has, in recent years, become rich in street art from a cast of artists who have been integral to regenerating east London and informing its cultural identity.

Five things to watch at the Olympics on Fridayupdated: Fri Aug 03 2012 00:23:00

As the swimming meet comes to its final days, the action at track and field begins at the Olympic Stadium. Here's what to look for as that competition starts and in four other notable sports:

Possible plot to attack US base in Spainupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 21:44:00

CNN's Nic Robertson reports on the terror arrests that took place in Spain and how close the men were to an attack.

Three terror suspects held in Spain, authorities sayupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 21:44:00

In what the interior minister calls one of Spain's largest operations against al Qaeda, security services said Thursday they arrested three suspected terrorists who might have been plotting attacks on U.S. or British targets.

SI.com: Grant Wahl: Uncertain future awaits U.S. women's soccer players after Olympicsupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 16:59:00

NEWCASTLE, England -- When the U.S. women's soccer team meets New Zealand in the Olympic quarterfinals (Friday, 9:30 a.m. ET, NBCSN), tournament organizers will hand out team sheets to the media that include all the players' names and the clubs they play for.

5 things to watch for Thursday at the Olympicsupdated: Thu Aug 02 2012 02:27:00

Gymnastics once again takes center -- or is it centre? -- stage Thursday when the women compete in the individual all-around. Here's what to look for in that and other top events:

Palestinian athlete heads to Londonupdated: Wed Aug 01 2012 11:47:00

A Palestinian athlete prepares to compete in judo at the London games. CNN's Elise Labott reports.

Business leaders put UK on Olympic trialupdated: Mon Jul 30 2012 00:45:00

The world's top business leaders are using their visit to the London Olympics to raise tough questions about the coalition's management of Britain's stagnant economy and the country's vulnerability to a euro break-up.

French double gold after two world records tumble in swimming pool updated: Sun Jul 29 2012 16:55:00

Two world records tumbled in the Aquatics Centre Sunday while France claimed two golds including a stunning upset in the men's 4x100m freestyle relay.

Fireworks lit up sky at Olympics openingupdated: Fri Jul 27 2012 23:40:00

An impressive fireworks show ended the four hour opening ceremony in London.

Dance beats, Bowie and a Beatle: Is London 2012 the rock 'n' roll Games?updated: Fri Jul 27 2012 23:40:00

"Let it be known from this day forth, the Olympic movement has seen the creation of the first 'rock 'n' roll' Games, and London 2012 will be remembered for all time as the venue of its birth."

Romney's London blundersupdated: Fri Jul 27 2012 14:07:00

Brits rail against Mitt Romney's gaffe. Carol Costello talks with GOP consultant John Brabender about the trip-up.

London builds to Games thrillerupdated: Fri Jul 27 2012 11:29:00

Watch a time lapse film of how a run-down area was transformed into an Olympic arena ahead of the grand opening ceremony.

Danny Boyle: Olympics Opening Ceremony mastermindupdated: Fri Jul 27 2012 11:29:00

He's brought bloodthirsty zombies, squalid junkies and murderous housemates to life on the big screen, but faced the toughest task of his career at London 2012: bringing boogying nurses, bucolic scenes and butterflies on bicycles to a worldwide audience of a billion people.

Chasing the gold dust of 'Brand Olympics'updated: Thu Jul 26 2012 22:26:00

The streets of London are paved with Olympic gold.

London cheers Olympic torch in final hours before opening dayupdated: Thu Jul 26 2012 20:40:00

Sunny, warm weather embraced London on Thursday amid last-minute preparations for the Summer Olympic Games, now less than 24 hours away.

Showtime: London gets set to stage Olympic opening ceremonyupdated: Thu Jul 26 2012 14:10:00

Few shows can claim such an audience. As the dramatic spectacle of the Olympics Games opening ceremony in London unfolds Friday night, millions of people around the world will be glued to their television sets.

London's Olympic security headacheupdated: Thu Jul 26 2012 08:28:00

As tens of thousands of athletes, team officials and visitors gather in London ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, security is paramount for the Games organizers and British authorities.

Olympic torch relay's final legupdated: Thu Jul 26 2012 07:53:00

See a flyover of the Olympic torch relay's concluding leg in London following a 70-day trip from Greece.

CNNMoney: Spain on the brinkupdated: Wed Jul 25 2012 15:26:00

Spain has come under heavy pressure in the bond market this week as investors grow increasingly convinced that the government will need a bailout.

SI.com: Steve Rushin: The wonders of Londonupdated: Wed Jul 25 2012 11:09:00

Before I ever laid eyes on London I laid ears on it, learning its streets, train stations and neighborhoods from song lyrics, as if all were diagramed on the A-to-Z Map of London that every newcomer to the city required. Or so I gathered from "Strange Town," by The Jam, which went: "I bought an A-to-Zed guidebook, trying to find the clubs and YMCAs ..."

Open for business: How to avoid London's Olympic rushupdated: Wed Jul 25 2012 07:46:00

London will at be the center of the sporting universe come Friday but as far as the city's commercial community is concerned, it will be business as usual during the Olympics.

A visitor's guide to Londonupdated: Tue Jul 24 2012 11:19:00

Becky Anderson gives you the do's and dont's of visiting London during the Olympic Games.

Tea time in London: 3 modern teahousesupdated: Tue Jul 24 2012 11:19:00

Forget staid scones. Go to the right London spot, and you're more likely to be served green-tea-infused scones or tea-smoked salmon squares with Japanese yuzu mayonnaise.

London prepares for an Olympics to rememberupdated: Tue Jul 24 2012 09:50:00

These will be the green Games, to many they will be the austerity Games -- and they may even be the rain Games.

CNNMoney: Spain struggles to fund itselfupdated: Tue Jul 24 2012 06:45:00

Spain appears to have crossed a red line in the bond market, where investors are increasingly convinced that the government will need to be bailed out.

The 10 strangest, weirdest Olympic sports updated: Tue Jul 24 2012 04:54:00

Basketball, track and swimming have been staples at the Olympics for decades, drawing thousands of spectators. But solo synchronized swimming or live pigeon shooting?

Steyn finishes off England after Amla's batting heroicsupdated: Mon Jul 23 2012 14:06:00

It was first blood to South Africa in their battle for cricket supremacy with No.1 ranked England as the tourists wrapped up an innings and 12 runs rout in the first Test at The Oval Monday.

CNNMoney: Treasuries: 10-year yield slides to record lowupdated: Mon Jul 23 2012 12:18:00

Escalating fears about Spain's debt problems sent investors rushing to safe haven investments Monday, including governments bonds in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

CNNMoney: Spanish bailout fears to spark stock sell-offupdated: Mon Jul 23 2012 09:18:00

Investors are bracing for an ugly start on Wall Street Monday, tracking a global-sell-off amid heightened fears that Spain will need a full-blown bailout.

Historic Amla triple ton leaves No.1 England in tattersupdated: Sun Jul 22 2012 16:09:00

Hashim Amla became the first South African to score a triple century in Test cricket as his side dominated No.1 ranked England at The Oval Sunday.

WWF ousts Spanish king as honorary president over Botswana hunting trip updated: Sun Jul 22 2012 03:27:00

The conservation group World Wildlife Fund ousted Spain's King Juan Carlos as its honorary president after his Botswana hunting trip sparked an outcry for its extravagance during an economic crisis.

Spanish king blasted for costly safariupdated: Sun Jul 22 2012 03:27:00

Spain's King Juan Carlos is being criticized for an exorbitantly expensive hunting safari to Africa where he broke his hip.

Torch starts final leg before London Olympics openupdated: Sat Jul 21 2012 07:15:00

The Olympic torch relay began its first full day in London on Saturday, marking the start of the final week-long countdown to the opening of the 2012 Games.

CNNMoney: Spanish bank bailout moves forwardupdated: Fri Jul 20 2012 15:09:00

Eurozone finance ministers on Friday approved the terms of a bailout for Spanish banks and agreed to set aside €30 billion in emergency funds.

Olympic torch to make dramatic entry to Londonupdated: Fri Jul 20 2012 12:58:00

The Olympic torch is set to make a dramatic entry to London Friday, descending via a 180-foot line from a helicopter to the historic Tower of London.

Queen welcomes Olympic torchupdated: Fri Jul 20 2012 12:58:00

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the Olympic torch to Windsor Castle, as it makes its way around the UK.

Spain's empty housesupdated: Thu Jul 19 2012 14:05:00

CNN's Richard Quest looks at why 20% of homes are still empty 5 years after the property bubble burst.

Terror arrests in Londonupdated: Thu Jul 19 2012 13:40:00

British police arrested six people in England on terror charges as security fears are elevated before the Olympic Games.

Four appear in UK court on terror chargesupdated: Thu Jul 19 2012 13:40:00

Three men appeared in court in London on Thursday to face accusations of traveling to Pakistan for terrorism training, UK media reported.

Strike called for UK border staff on eve of Olympicsupdated: Thu Jul 19 2012 12:43:00

Border staff are among government workers who are set to strike on the eve of the Olympics, union leaders announced Thursday, risking longer lines at Heathrow airport's passport control for visitors arriving for the Games.

UK faces security questions ahead of London Olympicsupdated: Tue Jul 17 2012 15:16:00

With 10 days to go before the Olympic Games open in London, questions over the provision of security guards for the event are dominating the British media.

Athletes fret on lost bus as wave of Olympic arrivals beginsupdated: Mon Jul 16 2012 11:47:00

The Dutch women's beach volleyball team sailed through Heathrow airport as it arrived in London for the Olympic Games, but not every athlete had such a smooth arrival.

Getting to the Gamesupdated: Mon Jul 16 2012 11:47:00

CNN's Ben Wyatt gives an insider's guide to getting around London for the 2012 Olympic Games.

France's National Front threatens to sue Madonna over swastika imageupdated: Mon Jul 16 2012 07:22:00

France's far right-leaning National Front party is threatening to sue after singer Madonna showed a video of party leader Marine Le Pen with a swastika superimposed on her forehead during a concert in Paris.

UK government downplays Olympic security snafuupdated: Sun Jul 15 2012 11:44:00

British government ministers fought back Sunday against accusations they had taken their eye off the Olympic security ball, rejecting accusations they were warned nearly a year ago about the security giant contracted to provide guards for the Games.

Olympic security firm G4S may lose $77m over guard shortfallupdated: Sat Jul 14 2012 07:38:00

The contractor responsible for providing security guards for the Olympic Games said Saturday it stands to lose up to $77 million after failing to recruit enough staff, less than two weeks before the event opens in London.

Official: 3 Americans die as private jet crashes in Franceupdated: Fri Jul 13 2012 14:50:00

Three Americans died when a private jet crashed at a small airport in the south of France, a local official said Friday.

UK: 3,500 extra troops called in for Olympic securityupdated: Thu Jul 12 2012 16:47:00

British Home Secretary Theresa May defended Thursday the government's decision to bring in an additional 3,500 military personnel to ensure security for the Olympic Games, only 15 days before the event starts.

Never-seen pics of Rolling Stones in '72updated: Thu Jul 12 2012 09:40:00

Legendary Jim Marshall photographed the Rolling Stones in 1972. CNN's Simon Barnett talks about the never-seen photos.

Missiles fly as miners march in Spainupdated: Thu Jul 12 2012 08:47:00

Clashes at a miners' protest in Madrid leave scores of people injured. CNN's Al Goodman reports.

Dozens hurt as police, anti-austerity protesters clash in Spainupdated: Thu Jul 12 2012 08:47:00

More than 70 people were injured in clashes in Madrid on Wednesday as Spanish police used rubber bullets and batons to disperse anti-austerity protesters, witnesses and emergency workers said.

London's docks turn into 'mini Monaco' for Olympicsupdated: Wed Jul 11 2012 08:39:00

Forty years ago London's docklands were an industrial wasteland. The shipping companies had moved to deeper waters, factories were left abandoned and poverty was rife.

Paris's taxi shortage: It's about jobsupdated: Tue Jul 10 2012 14:15:00

The taxi rocked to the pounding sounds of French rap music.

Spain looks for EU aidupdated: Tue Jul 10 2012 03:56:00

Spain's economy minister will formally request EU funding to help bail out Spanish banks. CNN's Al Goodman reports.

Spain may get extra year to meet targetsupdated: Mon Jul 09 2012 10:18:00

Eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday will discuss giving Spain an extra year to meet its deficit targets.

Spain looks for a bank lifelineupdated: Mon Jul 09 2012 06:23:00

Spain requests aid for its troubled banking sector, as CNN's Al Goodman reports.

Spain bows to 'bad bank' ideaupdated: Mon Jul 09 2012 06:23:00

Spain is ready to create a single "bad bank" to house the distressed assets of its teetering financial sector, as it prepares to finalise terms of an EU bailout that is dividing the eurozone and spooking markets.

London police make 7th arrest in counter-terror operationupdated: Sat Jul 07 2012 15:25:00

British authorities arrested a 22-year-old woman Saturday on suspicion of terror offenses amid heightened security before the London Olympics.

Police: 7 men arrested in UK anti-terror operationupdated: Fri Jul 06 2012 11:37:00

Seven men have been arrested in the United Kingdom on suspicion of terror offenses, West Midlands police said Friday.

Is Olympic-level security already under way in Britain?updated: Thu Jul 05 2012 22:21:00

Armed police shut down a busy motorway in central England Thursday amid a security alert centred on a bus, a stark reminder of the heightened watch being maintained by authorities just three weeks before the London Olympic Games.

Why did UK police stop a passenger bus?updated: Thu Jul 05 2012 22:21:00

CNN's Nic Robertson has the latest on a passenger bus stopped by authorities in Britain.

Final Air France crash report says pilots failed to react swiftlyupdated: Thu Jul 05 2012 10:41:00

A series of errors by pilots and a failure to react effectively to technical problems led to the crash of Air France Flight 447, France's Bureau of Investigation and Analysis said Thursday in its final report on the disaster.

No terror threat in highway bus alert, UK police sayupdated: Thu Jul 05 2012 08:41:00

An alert on a bus that led armed police to close a major motorway near Birmingham, England, on Thursday is not terror-related, Staffordshire police said.

Spain crowned Euro 2012 championsupdated: Thu Jul 05 2012 06:04:00

CNN's Pedro Pinto and Al Goodman report on Spain's momentous win over Italy in Euro 2012 final in Kiev.

Suspect in plot against Spanish leader arrestedupdated: Wed Jul 04 2012 11:05:00

French police have arrested a member of the Basque separatist movement ETA in southwestern France, the Spanish government said Wednesday.

SI.com: Grant Wahl: Spain has chance to make history in Euro 2012 title matchupdated: Sat Jun 30 2012 12:45:00

KIEV, Ukraine -- What's at stake when Spain meets Italy in the Euro 2012 final here on Sunday? For the Spanish, the final (ESPN/3/Deportes, 2:45 p.m. ET) provides the chance to take their place in soccer lore as one of the greatest national teams in the history of the sport. No country has ever held two European Championships and the World Cup trophy at the same time. And for all the talk of Spain winning without playing at its best, you just can't argue with three major titles in a row.

London's Olympic torch lit in Greeceupdated: Fri Jun 29 2012 12:01:00

The Olympic torch for the Summer Games in London began its journey in an elaborate ceremony in Greece.

Spanish ETA terror suspects arrested in Londonupdated: Fri Jun 29 2012 09:07:00

Two members of the Basque separatist movement ETA, including one who has been convicted of more than 20 murders, were arrested Friday in London over alleged terror offenses, the Spanish Interior Ministry said.

Hope, skepticism after ETA announcementupdated: Fri Jun 29 2012 09:07:00

Reaction is mixed after the Basque terrorist group ETA pledges to end violence. CNN's Al Goodman reports.

Balotelli double sends Italy through to Euro 2012 finalupdated: Fri Jun 29 2012 05:01:00

Mario Balotelli's first-half double saw Italy through to the final of Euro 2012 as they stunned Germany in Warsaw.

Mayor of London open to Grand Prix in capitalupdated: Thu Jun 28 2012 12:54:00

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is open to the idea of a Formula One race in Britain's capital, but has yet to be approached by the sport's powerbrokers.

We recommend

From around the web