EU critical of France over Roma
The European Commission criticises France over its expulsions of Roma (Gypsies) and requests more information about the crackdown.

German banker 'should be fired'
The German central bank calls on the country's president to dismiss one of its board members over comments he made about immigration and Jews.

Russia extends grain export ban
Russia will consider lifting its grain export ban only after the next year's harvest has been reaped, Vladimir Putin says.

ECB ups eurozone growth forecasts
The European Central Bank raises its forecast for eurozone growth for this year and next year, and keeps interest rates on hold.

Man held over Russia club blaze
Police in Spain arrest a Russian man wanted for questioning about a fire at a Russian nightclub that killed more than 150 people in 2009.

UK's Hague defended over aide
David Cameron supports William Hague "100%" following speculation about the foreign secretary's private life, the PM's spokeswoman says.

Greenpeace rig activists arrested
Four Greenpeace activists are arrested after giving up their occupation of a Scottish company's drilling rig off Greenland.

Germans accused of honey smuggling
US authorities indict 11 German and Chinese executives for conspiring to illegally import $40m worth of honey from China.

Blair's account of Brown 'unfair'
Allies of Gordon Brown rally behind the former prime minister, describing criticism of him in Tony Blair's memoirs as "unfair" and "one-sided".

Zara launches online retail store
Zara starts selling its clothes online for the first time following similar moves from Gap and Banana Republic last month.