Spain's fourth-biggest bank, Bankia, said Friday it will ask the government for 19 billion euros (US$24 billion) in the largest bank bailout in the country's history.

Taiwan-born MLB pitcher Chien-Ming Wang made a winning return from injuries as the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 7-4 Friday.

The main opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will elect its new chairman today, with former Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) still the front-runner.

Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook has opted not to take US$75 million in dividend payout on restricted shares of stock he owns in the maker of iPhones, iPads, iPods and Macintosh computers.

The Vatican confirmed Saturday that the pope's butler had been arrested in its embarrassing leaks scandal, adding a Hollywood twist to a sordid tale of power struggles, intrigue and corruption in the highest levels of Catholic Church governance.

For the 30th straight year, cancer remained the top cause of death in Taiwan in 2011, responsible for 28 percent of all deaths recorded, a Department of Health (DOH) report said yesterday.

Visiting tennis greats Andre Agassi and "Swiss Miss" Martina Hingis yesterday praised Taiwanese youth for their enthusiasm for the sport and said that with proper training these local talents have the potential to become great players.

Shares in Spain's fourth-biggest lender Bankia SA were suspended on the Madrid stock exchange on Friday, ahead of an evening announcement when the bank is expected to ask the state for a rescue of more than 15 billion euros (US$19 billion).

The candidate of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood won a spot in a runoff election, according to partial results Friday from Egypt's first genuinely competitive presidential election. A former prime minister and a leftist were in a tight race for second place and a chance to run against him to become the country's next leader.

Bargain hunters thronged the 2012 Taipei Tourism Exposition yesterday in search of discounted tour packages offered by travel agencies and other Taiwanese and foreign tourism organizations.