Madrid - The militant separatist group ETA early Sunday warned the incoming Basque government to brace for attacks. In an ETA communique published in the Basque newspaper Gara on Sunday, the group designated the incoming prime minister Patxi Lopez and his government as the "priority target."

Earlier this month, a new parliament was constituted in Spain's Basque region that has the first conservative president taking power since the region was granted broad autonomy in 1979.

Madrid - The militant separatist group ETA early Sunday warned the incoming Basque government to brace for attacks. In an ETA-communique published in the Basque newspaper Gara on Sunday, the group designated the incoming prime minister Patxi Lopez and his government as the "priority target."

Earlier this month, a new parliament was constituted in Spain's Basque that has the first conservative president taking power since the region was granted broad autonomy in 1979.

Vienna  - Luis Echavarri, the head of the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) in Paris, confirmed Thursday that he was Spain's official candidate to replace Mohamed Elbaradei as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Echavarri told German Press Agency dpa that the Spanish government had formally deposited his candidature at the IAEA on Wednesday.

Marbella, Spain  - Dinara Safina came third time lucky to lift the WTA top ranking as current holder Serena Williams crashed to a defeat in the first round of an event in Spain on Wednesday.

The Russian has failed for the last two events to take over the summit spot from the American, beaten by Czech number 95 Klara Zakopalova 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 at the new Andalucia Tennis Experience event.

Zurich - Spain has built up a record lead atop the world football rankings, issued on Wednesday by the governing body FIFA, courtesy of its latest two victories.

The Euro 2008 champions defeated Turkey twice in World Cup qualifiers, 1-0 on March 28 and 2-1 on April 1, to stretch their unbeaten run to 31 games and lead the FIFA list with 1,729 points.

FIFA said that the 367-point advantage over second-placed Germany (1,362) is the biggest lead since the rankings which take into account national team games were introduced in 1993.