News
Live news stream
Crowds honour Mandela outside former home
Crowds of mourners have gathered outside the former home of Nelson Mandela in Soweta, to pay tribute to the former president. Mandela spent most of his adult life in his home in Vilikazi Street, Soweto, which is now a museum.
Stalls have popped up selling Mandela flags and shirts. The crowd sang and clapped, chanting "Unity for South Africa."
*Read: Nelson Mandela's life celebrated on streets of Soweto. *
Catholic Priest questioned over historical sex abuse in Rochdale
A Catholic priest has been interviewed by detectives investigating reports of historical sexual abuse of three schoolgirls in Rochdale.
The allegations were made by former pupils from a primary school in Norden.
Advertisement
Flights cancelled? Here is what you need to know
Passengers were left stranded today when a technical problem at an air traffic control centre caused chaos at airports across the UK and Ireland.A recent court ruling against Ryanair clarified the rights passengers have when their flight is cancelled or delayed:
- If your flight has been cancelled, your airline must get you to your destination or offer you a full refund.
- If your flight is severely delayed, your are entitled to food, drinks, and some communications.
- If you are delayed overnight, this means a hotel
Boy raises £4,000 for Philippines typhoon victims
An 11-year-old boy has raised over £4,000 for the children affected by the Philippines typhoon with a little help from Olympian Sir Chris Hoy.
After seeing news coverage of the Philippines disaster last month which is estimated to have affected over 15 million people, Charlie Simpson decided to take action by organising a 25-mile bike ride.
The schoolboy, from Fulham, has so far raised more than £4,000 for Unicef's Philippines children's emergency appeal which will provide clean water, food and medical supplies to those in need.
Sir Chris Hoy was even on hand to provide some last-minute tips.
After completing the challenge in just under four hours in Fulham's South Park, Charlie said: "It was really, really hard but at the end I felt quite proud of myself.
"I saw all of the pictures of the typhoon on the news and it made me feel sad. I felt I had to do something about it and I wanted to help the children in the Philippines get food, water and shelter.
"I didn't anticipate quite how far it was. When I got to 30km, I got quite tired. But then I thought of the children in the Philippines, and decided: 'I've cycled 30km, I can do another 10km.'
Read: Donations from British public help 1.6m typhoon victims
Three US presidents to attend Mandela's funeral
US President Barack Obama and his two predecessors, George W Bush and Bill Clinton have said they will be travelling to South Africa to honour Nelson Mandela.
The three will travel together on the Air Force One presidential plane, accompanied by their wives. Mr Obama has also invited the other two living former presidents, Jimmy Carter and George HW Bush.
The office of George HW Bush said he will not be able to travel due to his health.
Read: Cameron to visit South Africa to pay respects to Mandela
Cameron to visit South Africa to pay respects to Mandela
David Cameron will travel to South Africa next week to pay his respects to Nelson Mandela, Downing Street has confirmed.
The former South African president died at his home on Thursday at the age of 95.
Barack Obama announced that he will travel to South Africa next week to take part in memorial events for the former civil rights activist.
A memorial service for Mandela will take place next Tuesday 10th December, before the funeral next Sunday 15th December in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
Advertisement
#AirportNightmare: Angry passengers take to Twitter
With hundreds of flights delayed or canceled due to a technical problem at an air traffic control centre, passengers find themselves stranded in airports around the country.
Closest I'm getting to Milan today is cafe Nero at heathrow. All flights cancelled :( cheese panini n espresso please. Ciao #egg
@british_airways poor service-flight cancelled, no warning/explanation.4 staff for 200 passengers at Vienna airport. Bad end to honeymoon.
England's World Cup opener brought forward
by Steve Scott - Sports Editor
England's opening World Cup match against Italy has been brought forward by three hours.
The match had been scheduled for 02:00 BST on June 15, but it will now kick-off at 23:00 BST on the 14 June.
Fifa agreed to reschedule the clash following an appeal by British broadcasters over the late kick-off.
PM writes to Mandela's widow to express condolences
by Libby Wiener - Political CorrespondentNumber 10 has just announced that the Prime Minister has written to President Zuma and Mandela's widow Graca Machel to express his condolences.
“The PM paid tribute to Mandela's extraordinary grace and dignity and the example that he set not just to South Africa but to the world on his release from Robben Island," a Downing Street spokesman said.
"He said, 'he gave the world new hope that the deepest wounds can be healed and that freedom and reconciliation can triumph over division and hate'.
“The PM concluded 'He will forever have a distinguished place in history. It falls to all of us and future generations to learn from him and try to realise his extraordinary legacy'."
Passengers queue to re-book cancelled flights
by Ben Chapman - Reporter
At Heathrow's Terminal 5, the queue to re-book cancelled flights with British Airways stretches almost the entire length of the terminal building.
One family, about three-quarters of the way up, said they had already been waiting an hour and a half.
They were due to fly to Frankfurt this morning but their flight was cancelled. They don't know whether they may be able to get on a flight tonight or have to wait until tomorrow morning.
Airport staff are moving through the queue handing out bottles of water.
Despite the disruption, and the huge number of frustrated passengers waiting for news, there is a surprising calm in the terminal as people wait patiently to discover if and when they will be able to leave.
