Italy's former intelligence chief Nicolo Pollari is sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the 2003 rendition by the CIA of a terror suspect.

A slaughterhouse and a meat firm are raided by the Food Standards Agency and police as part of inquiries into alleged labelling of horsemeat as beef.

Barclays says it will cut 3,700 jobs this year following a strategic review by its new chief executive Antony Jenkins.

Smoking in Russia will be banned from restaurants, long-distance trains and housing block entrances under a tough new law passed by parliament.

Two workers from French charity Zoe's Ark are jailed for two years for illegally trying to fly 103 African children from Chad to France in 2007.

After intense debate, France's National Assembly approves a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson says "too much is taken on trust" when it comes to verifying meat supplies, as Labour calls for faster testing of beef.

An EU decision to reclassify a type of minced meat played a significant part in creating the horsemeat crisis, an-ex Food Standards Agency scientist says.

The resignation of Pope Benedict XVI - the first papal resignation in nearly 600 years - surprised governments, Vatican-watchers and even the Pope's closest aides.

A day after Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation, the Vatican acknowledges the pontiff has had a pacemaker for years.

Ryanair says that the European Commission intends to block its proposed offer for rival Aer Lingus and says it will appeal against any such decision.

As authorities across Europe continue to investigate how horsemeat came to be used as a substitute for beef in ready-made meals, there is also a renewed push to tests products for contamination.

An Irish property developer who was found wandering on a country road eight months after he disappeared has left hospital without leaving a forwarding address for police.

Swiss bank UBS is fined £9.45m by the Financial Services Authority for mis-selling an investment fund from insurer AIG.

Pope Benedict XVI will not interfere in the affairs of his successor after his decision to resign later this month, the pontiff's brother says.

Does Europe need a £44m museum in Brussels?

How many people can actually speak Latin now?

The chief executive of Italian aerospace and defence firm Finmeccanica has been arrested on corruption charges.

Action star Bruce Willis has been awarded the Commander of the Arts medal at a ceremony in Paris for his contribution to film.

UK consumer price inflation remained unchanged at 2.7% for the fourth consecutive month in January, after a big rise in alcohol and tobacco prices.