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Six dead and nine missing after Everest avalanche
Six local guides have been killed and nine more are missing after an avalanche swept a route used to scale the world's highest peak, a Nepalese tourism official said.
The avalanche hit just below Mount Everest Camp 2 around 6.30am local time, Krishna Lamsal said.
He added that four bodies have been recovered and rescuers are digging two more out of the snow. Nine other Sherpa guides are unaccounted for and believed to be buried in the snow.
All those killed and missing had gone early in the morning to the area to fix ropes for climbers along the route to the 29,000ft summit.
Hundreds of climbers and guides have gathered at the base camp, gearing up for their final attempt to scale Everest early next month when weather conditions get favourable.
PM calls for Ukraine deal to be 'rapidly implemented'
The deal aimed at calming tensions in Ukraine must be "rapidly implemented", David Cameron has said.
The European Union should continue preparations for potential extra sanctions against Russia although it will also do all it can to help bring in yesterday's deal, the Prime Minister and Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council, agreed in a phone conversation.
A Downing Street spokesman said of Mr Cameron's conversation with Mr Van Rompuy: "They agreed that the outcome of the Geneva meeting represented a positive step forward, but that it was essential that the agreements reached were rapidly implemented.
"They agreed that the European Union should do all it could to help implement these agreements, but in the meantime should continue preparatory work on potential additional sanctions, so that the EU was ready if the agreement was not implemented."
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Govt: 'We're far from complacent' on rent rises
The Government has claimed it is "far from complacent" about the cost of rent, but argued the slowing in the rise of accommodation costs showed their long-term economic plan was working.
Housing Minister Kris Hopkins said:
– Kris HopkinsToday's figures clearly show how our long-term economic plan is working, with more properties being made available to rent, meaning more choice for tenants and average rents down compared to last month.
But we're far from complacent and with millions of people renting privately we're working to expand the sector even further.
Crowds gather to see Duke and Duchess at Easter show
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have today visited the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park.
The royal couple observed sheep shearing and learnt more about rural produce during the short visit.
Five feared missing after Mount Everest avalanche
Up to five climbers are feared missing after an avalanche swept the slopes of Mount Everest and hit a route used to scale the world's highest peak.
The avalanche hit the area just below Camp 2, according to Nepal Tourism Ministry official Madhu Sudan Burlakoti.
Rescuers and fellow climbers at the base camp are heading to the area to help, and a helicopter is on the way from Katmandu.
Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said four or five climbers are believed to have been buried and more injured by the avalanche.
South West has 'strongest annual rise in rent'
Renters in the South West have seen their accommodation costs rise most in the last twelve months, according to data from a major lettings network.
LSL Property Services said there was 5.2% rise in the average rent in the South West of England.
They also found:
- Average monthly rent in the South West was now £664.
- The east of England has seen the sharpest fall, down by 3.6% over the course of twelve months and taking typical rents there to £713.
- London rents rose by 1.3% over the last year to reach £1,121 on average.
- Rent in Wales have fallen by 2.0% annually to around £556.
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Report: Rents rise by smallest amount in four years
Rent has risen by its smallest amount in four years, with more people jumping on the property ladder, a major lettings networks has reported.
Read: CAB: More homeowners at risk of losing property
Read: Payday loans 'used to fund rent and mortgages'
The average rent across England and Wales has increased by just 0.9% over the last year, according to LSL Property Services.
However, this rise still pushes the average monthly rent up to £741.
The proportion of tenants' rent which is late or unpaid has dropped back from 8.5% a year ago to 7.8%, which LSL said was a further signs household finances were improving.
Read: Third of Brits 'worry they will never be able to buy a home'
Kate and William meet Fred the ram in Sydney
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Fred the ram as they visited the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park.
Duke and Duchess visit Royal Easter Show in Sydney
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have today visited the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park.
The royal couple observed sheep shearing and learnt more about rural produce during the short visit.
Divers enter hull of capsized South Korean ferry
Local media is reporting that divers have entered the hull of the capsized South Korean ferry.
