From 4 March, the cardinals will meet for talks at which they will set a date for the start of the secret election, or conclave.

BBC: Benedict XVI vows obedience to successor as pope

From 4 March, the College of Cardinals will meet in general congregations to discuss the problems facing the Church and set a date for the start of the secret election, or conclave, to elect Pope Benedict's successor.

BBC: Pope Benedict XVI recalls joy and 'choppy waters'

Mr Obama and his advisers, at odds over strategy, dithered over allocating troops and, far worse, set a date for them to start their withdrawal (see Lexington).

ECONOMIST: Stanley McChrystal goes

He added vendors and communities were involved in consultations but no start date for such a scheme had been set.

BBC: Bottle of cheap alcohol