POPE Benedict yesterday urged Catholics in Germany to close ranks behind him rather than demand reforms or leave the Church.

LEADING German business groups called for joint eurozone bond issuance, despite their government’s opposition, and the European Central Bank showed its intent to defend Italy and Spain.

Retief Goosen insists he was being “light-hearted” when he suggested Tiger Woods exaggerated his knee injury during his US Open victory.

MANCHESTER UNITED last night appeared to be closing in on a deal to sign Owen Hargreaves after Bayern Munich admitted the England midfielder was leaving them.

Tunisia acknowledged that a deadly gas truck explosion near a historic synagogue was caused by a criminal act.