NOBEL-LITERATURE

STOCKHOLM - Patrick Modiano of France, whose work focuses on the Nazi occupation and its effect on his country, has won the Nobel Prize in literature. The Swedish Academy gave the 8 million kronor ($1.1 million) prize to Modiano "for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies."

EBOLA

MADRID - Two doctors who treated a Spanish nursing assistant diagnosed with Ebola have been admitted to a Madrid hospital for precautionary observation, bringing to six the number being monitored at the center. A hospital spokeswoman says neither of the doctors, nor the woman's husband - who is also under observation - has shown Ebola symptoms. 

NETHERLANDS-UKRAINE-PLANE

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - The body of one passenger of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was found wearing an oxygen mask, Dutch prosecutors say, raising questions about how much those on board knew about their fate when the plane plunged out of the sky above Eastern Ukraine in July. The passenger, an Australian, did not have the mask on his face, but its elastic strap was around his neck.

GERMANY-ECONOMY

BERLIN- The drumbeat of bad economic news for Germany continues, with the biggest monthly plunge in exports in five years raising the risk that Europe's largest economy might slide into recession. Exports fell in August by 5.8 percent over July, the sharpest drop since early 2009, when the global financial crisis was wreaking havoc on the world economy. 

ITALY-REFORMS

ROME - Italian Premier Matteo Renzi's government has survived a confidence vote on labor reforms in the Senate after a raucous debate that degenerated into scuffles. Renzi on Thursday declared he was "very satisfied" with the 165-111 vote in favor of labor reforms viewed as key to relaunching the country's economy. Germany's chancellor called it "an important step in the right direction" during a jobs creation summit in Milan on Wednesday. SENT: 140 words, photos.

GERMANY-HEROIN

BERLIN - German authorities say they've seized 330 kilograms (728 pounds) of heroin worth an estimated 50 million euros ($63 million) that smugglers brought to Europe hidden in a shipment of bottled pickles and garlic from Iran. The Federal Criminal Police Office said Thursday a Syrian-Iraqi organized crime ring that has operated for years is believed to be behind the attempt to import the drugs, seized Sept. 22 around the western city of Essen. 

IRELAND-SINN FEIN

DUBLIN - An opinion poll in the Republic of Ireland has found that Sinn Fein, the Irish nationalist party long deemed an outsider in southern Irish politics, has grown as popular as the main government party for the first time. Analysts say Sinn Fein could win both parliamentary seats being filled in two by-elections Friday.

LEGO-SHELL

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - Danish toy maker Lego says it won't renew a deal allowing Shell to hand out Lego sets at gas stations in some 30 countries, following a viral campaign protesting Arctic drilling. In July, Greenpeace launched a video showing an Arctic landscape with a Shell drilling platform made of Lego bricks covered in oil. 

NETHERLANDS-WILDERS-HATE SPEECH

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Dutch prosecutors say they are investigating anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders on suspicion of inciting hatred and discrimination against Moroccans in the Netherlands. Among comments under investigation is an election speech in March this year in which he asked supporters if they wanted more or fewer Moroccans. In response, they chanted "Fewer! Fewer! Fewer!" 

BRITAIN-ECONOMY

LONDON - The Bank of England has decided to keep interest rates steady despite the economy's strong recovery as it first wants to see a stronger rise in wages and inflation remains low. Policymakers voted Thursday to keep the key rate at a record low 0.5 percent and to refrain from pumping money into the economy.