As Darren Shan releases the final instalment in his Zom-B tales, he tells Marjorie Brennan why he believes teenagers are reading as much as ever

French bank BNP Paribas was sentenced to five years probation by a US judge yesterday in connection with a record $8.9bn (€7.95bn) settlement resolving claims it violated sanctions against Sudan, Cuba and Iran.

German banks have about €23.5bn in credit exposure to Greece, but the systemic risk is limited as the country’s biggest commercial banks, Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, hold only a tiny fraction of that, according to figures gathered by Reuters.

The European Central Bank has bought covered bonds for the first time since president Mario Draghi unveiled an asset purchase programme last month.

France’s largest bank has agreed to pay nearly $9bn (€6.5bn) to resolve criminal allegations that it processed transactions for clients in Sudan and other blacklisted countries in violation of US trade sanctions, the Justice Department says.

British National Party leader Nick Griffin has been ousted as an MEP – but said Ukip supporters were racists who would turn back to his party when they realised Nigel Farage would not “send them all home”.

BNP Paribas, France’s largest bank, is cutting 1,600 jobs at its Ukrainian unit, or more than 20% of the workforce, as the country faces mounting unrest and a standoff with Russia.

In response to Dr Owen Gallagher (Irish Examiner, Letters, March 17), yes, the British government now realises that same-sex marriage will require a massive rewrite of legislation, dating back to 1285, but that is a good thing, as that was 729 years ago.

Legoland will close its hotel this weekend after far-right extremists targeted the resort for agreeing to host a Muslim fun day.

Two English Defence League (EDL) leaders arrested as they attempted to visit the spot where Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered have been released on bail.

Violence and riots are on the rise throughout Europe, and often, immigrants are the targets, writes Jennifer DeWan

A realisation that the inevitable may not be far away was growing among South Africans as they said prayers for their ailing former leader Nelson Mandela.

One of Scotland Yard’s most senior police officers will be quizzed by MPs over the investigation into the murder of soldier Lee Rigby.

A task force for tackling radicalisation in the UK set up by the British Prime Minister in the wake of soldier Lee Rigby’s murder is to meet monthly in a bid to deal with extremism head on, a Downing Street spokesman has said.

A second man is to appear in court charged with the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, Scotland Yard said.

Some 58 people have been arrested in London after BNP supporters and anti-fascist campaigners came to blows outside the Palace of Westminster.

As second suspect is discharged from hospital, the soldier's family plead for peace.

Ukip leader Nigel Farage had to be rescued by police after being mobbed by rowdy protesters shouting “racist Nazi scum”.

David Cameron today pledged to “work really hard” to win back voters who abandoned the Conservatives for the Ukip as Nigel Farage’s party made a series of stunning gains in the council elections.

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage has hit back at claims that his party is supported by racists and is against foreigners and immigrants.

British cabinet minister Ken Clarke has ramped up Tory attacks on Ukip, branding the party’s politicians “clowns” and some of their supporters racist.

The possible involvement of the BNP and other far-right groups in the Union flag issue in the North is sinister.

Police were today investigating comments allegedly made on Twitter by BNP leader Nick Griffin about a gay couple at the centre of a landmark legal ruling.

The leader of the British National Party, MEP Nick Griffin, has refused to apologise for a tweet in which he referred to “Fenian bastards” — even though in the past he has claimed his ancestors came from a village in North Cork.

A gang of nine Asian men who groomed white girls as young as 13 with drink and drugs were driven by “lust and greed”, a judge in Britain said today.

A gang of nine Asian men was yesterday found guilty of plying white girls as young as 13 with drink and drugs so they could “pass them around” and use them for sex.

A scheduled visit to University College Cork by the leader of the British National Party Nick Griffin has been cancelled.

Rather than ban the debate or protest outside the venue, it is our duty to engage and challenge the likes of Nick Griffin, writes Emmanuelle Schön-Quinlivan

Freedom of speech is a fundamental plank of democracy. To deny anyone the right to express his or her views it to engage in censorship of the worst kind.

Almost 40 UCC academics last night welcomed the decision to withdraw an invitation to British far-right leader Nick Griffin to take part in a university debate on free speech.

BANK of Ireland announced a disposal yesterday and BNP Paribas was said to be looking to sell a package of assets, as Europe’s banks step up plans to raise funds to help meet tougher capital rules.

The challenge facing Italy, the ECB and the eurzone is huge but not insurmountable. There are options but time is of the essence, writes Hugo Dixon

TRINITY College Dublin has been forced into a U-turn on controversial plans to have British National Party (BNP) leader, Nick Griffin, join a debate on immigration.

Trinity College Dublin has been forced into a U-turn on controversial plans to have British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin join a debate on immigration.

NICK Griffin has been invited to speak at a Trinity College Dublin event.

K1 GROUP founder Helmut Kiener has been convicted of defrauding investors with a €345 million Ponzi scheme and sentenced to 10 years and eight months in prison.

IS NAZISM making a comeback? You might think so reading some of the headlines this week. “Behind the migrant row, Europe keeps shifting to the far-right,” warns Time magazine. “Finland leads rise of the far-right in Europe,” according to The Daily Telegraph.

British National Party leader Nick Griffin fought off a bid to have him declared guilty of contempt of court today.

Former British prime minister Tony Blair is considering cancelling a high-profile signing session of his new memoir because of planned protests, he said today.

THE state-backed Polish bank PKO BP will place an offer to buy AIB’s 70% stake in Bank Zachodni WBK (BZ WBK) next week, ahead of the end of June deadline.

British National Party (BNP) leader Nick Griffin has secured an invitation to a Buckingham Palace garden party, it was disclosed today.

Labour veteran Margaret Hodge was victorious today in her battle with the leader of the British National Party.

The British National Party began processing applications within hours of a court order banning recruitment of new members after its leader claimed to have amended the constitution.