News Headlines - 26 February 2013

▽Italy seeks way out of political chaos - FT.com

Leaders of Italy’s two main parties have made their opening gambits towards forming a new government after an election deadlock that saw voters reject European-backed austerity policies and a discredited political elite.

▽Lord Rennard sex allegations widen as Lib Dem minister admits he knew - Telegraph

The Lord Rennard scandal dramatically widened today after an alleged victim said she had complained about the peer to Norman Lamb, a health minister, and said she knew of nine other women who claim to have been molested by the former Lib Dem chief executive.

▽Sexism is still rife in Westminster - and beyond - Channel 4 News

In the wake of sexual impropriety allegations about Lord Rennard, Channel 4 News Presenter Cathy Newman writes about her own experiences in Westminster.

▽Litvinenko lawyer accuses UK of coverup to help Russia ties | Reuters

The lawyer for the family of former KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko, who was murdered in London in 2006, accused Britain and Russia on Tuesday of colluding to try to shut down an inquiry into his death for the sake of lucrative trade deals.

▽BBC News - Horsemeat found in Ikea meatballs in Czech Republic

Ikea has withdrawn meatballs from sale in 14 European countries after tests in the Czech Republic found traces of horsemeat in a batch made in Sweden.