January 2013: The horse meat scandal that engulfed the food industry began in January, when the Food Safety Authority of Ireland found horse DNA in frozen beefburgers on sale at many supermarkets. Over the next few months, horsemeat was found in beef products supplied to shops and institutions around the UK

January 2013: Despite being issued with a lifetime ban in 2012, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong had always denied doping in his career. But in January 2013, he finally admitted his drug use in an interview with Oprah Winfrey

January 2013: After being elected for a second term in November 2012, US President Barack Obama was surrounded by his family at the US Capitol on January 21 2013 when he was inaugurated for a second time

January 2013: On January 11 this year, the NSPCC published its report into the Jimmy Savile scandal. The Giving Victims a voice report revealed he sexually abused 450 people, the youngest aged 5 and, and the oldest aged 47. His crimes were said to have included 30 rapes, and 126 indecent acts.

February 2013: On February 11, Pope Benedict XVI announced he would become the first pope for 600 years to resign, saying his decision was down to his ailing physical health. His resignation came into effect on February 28.

February 2013: On Valentine's Day this year, South African Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius was arrested after his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp was shot and killed at the sprinter's Pretoria home. He is due to go on trial for her murder in 2014

March 2013: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected as the 266th Pontiff, become Pope Francis

April 2013: Three people were killed and more than 250 injured after two bombs went off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15. The suspects, Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were tracked down after an intense police hunt, and Tamerlan was shot dead by police. Dzhokhar is awaiting trial over the bombings

April 2013: Former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died at the age of 87 on April 8. She was given a ceremonial funeral at St Paul's Cathedral on April 17

May 2013: The first revelations by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden - a former analyst with a US defence contractor - are published, revealing details of America's surveillance operations around the world.

July 2013: On July 22, Prince William and wife Kate welcome baby Prince George Alexander Louis into the world. The next day, the world's media crowded outside St Mary's Hospital to get a first glimpse of the future king

July 2013: New laws legalising same sex marriage in England and Wales were given Royal Assent in July

September 2013: At least 68 people are killed after extremists linked to Islamist group Al-Shabaab attack the at Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, in a four-day siege

September 2013: More than a year after it crashed off the coast of Italy, killing 32 people, the stricken Costa Concordia cruise ship was righted in the water in September in the first stage of a major salvage operation

September 2013: People queue round the block to get their hands on the new iPhone 5S, which launched in the UK on September 20

September 2013: 12 people were killed in a mass shooting at Washington Navy Yard in America. The gunman, Aaron Alexis, was also killed in the incident after a gunfight with police

October 2013: The US Government shut down for 16 days in October, after congress failed to reach a deal on its debt and how to fund its operations. Hundreds of thousands of federal workers were told to stay at home, and many services were suspended

November 2013: Super Typhoon Haiyan wreaked devastation across the Philippines in early November. More than 6,000 are thought to have died, with 6,000 more still missing

November 2013: An ordinary Friday night at Glasgow's Clutha pub was shattered when a police helicopter crashed into the roof, killing ten people. They included the three crew on board, and seven pub goers who had been in the packed bar to see a live band

December 2013: The world celebrated the life of Nelson Mandela, who died at the age of 85 in December. A huge memorial service was held in Johannesburg, followed by a state funeral in his home village of Qunu