News

Northumbria Police have arrested three men on suspicion of posting racist tweets ahead of a major demonstration by the English Defence League in Newcastle today.

Two of the men are from Gateshead and one is from Stockton, a police statement said.

• UK

A statement on the Facebook page of South Lakes Wild Animal Park has said that staff are distraught by the death of their colleague Sarah McClay:

We are very aware of the sensitive nature of the situation but after full consultation with Sarah's work colleagues, they have decided to ... open the park.

Here is not the place for insensitive comments, the staff are distraught at yesterdays events.

If any comment made in the hours after the tragedy of yesterday were interpreted as offensive then we sincerely apologise, it was certainly not intended to be so, you have no idea how desperately upset we all are and to receive the sick and offensive remarks that we did was distressing and has caused serious trauma to all Sarah's colleagues at the Zoo. We would be grateful for your support, your understanding and your prayers. the staff are in shock at the loss of one of their closest friends and do not need negativity at this time.

Thank you for all the many messages of care, love and support. We all need you to understand our grief as well as your own concerns. The park is a very safe environment and never at any stage were any other public or staff in danger. We have been given the all clear by the authorities after initial investigations yesterday and we hope you will allow us all to work through this tragic event.

With my deepest sympathies to Sarah's family and friends.

• UK
• tigers

More than 4,000 people are expected to attend a memorial day run to honour victims of the Boston Marathon bombings.

The event, along Boylston Street, already has more than 2,600 people signed up on the #OneRun event’s Facebook page, saying they will participate in the run along the last mile of the Boston Marathon route.

The run has been organised by several running clubs, teams, events, businesses and organisations in Boston.

At 10am local time today (3pm GMT), runners will meet at the “one mile left” mark.

Read: PM visits Boston bomb site

• World
• Boston
• Boston Marathon

A female teacher was among the dead when a fire broke out aboard a school bus in Pakistan, according to the AFP news agency.

At least 16 children were killed in the incident near the city of Gujrat in the east of the country.

• World
• Pakistan

A police chief has said that a gas canister on board a school bus that burst into flames in Pakistan has been found intact and was not the cause of the fire, the AFP news agency reports.

Initial reports suggested that the canister, similar to that found in millions of vehicles in Pakistan, had caused a fatal explosion.

The police chief, identified as Dar Ali Khattak, said the fire was caused by a spark when the driver switched from using gas to the petrol engine.

He added that the children were aged between five and 15.

• World
• Pakistan

The Major Projects Authority assessed 191 spending programmes and rated them according to its 'traffic light' system:

Projects rated 'red' means that “successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable,” while red/amber means that “successful delivery of the project is in doubt" and "urgent action is needed".

• UK

German football fans have started to arrive at the national stadium some nine hours before the kick-off of tonight's Champions League final.

Bayern Munich face fellow German giants Borussia Dortmund in the final at Wembley Stadium. Bayern thrashed Barcelona in the semis, while Dortmund eased past Real Madrid.

Join Adrian Chiles, Roy Keane, Lee Dixon and Gareth Southgate at 7pm on ITV.

Alternatively, watch the match live online.

Read more at ITV Sport.

• Sport
• Champions League

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude has welcomed a report that concludes that more than 30 of the government's flagship projects are at risk of never coming off:

Since the general election we have got things back on track and are equipping the civil servants with the skills they need.

There's much more to do but thanks to the work of excellent officials we now expect to double the success rate of major projects, compared with the figures from 2010.

• UK

More than 30 of the coalition's flagship projects, including the HS2 rail link and the Universal Credit system, are at risk of never come to fruition, according to a government report.

The Major Projects Authority (MPA) was set up in 2010 to help governments deliver on large projects, and its annual report rates progress using a 'traffic light' system.

Its latest report gives a 'red light' to the construction of two £7 billion aircraft carriers and the West Coast Main Line scheme, among six other schemes.

Some 23 other projects, which include the HS2 high-speed rail network and Universal Credit, were given Amber/red ratings, meaning that urgent action is required.

See the full report here.

• UK

People have been leaving tributes to the Sarah McClay on the South Lakes Wild Animal Park Facebook page.

Many are defending the park's role in the incident and saying they will continue to visit.

This is just the BEST ZOO I've ever been to. You do such wonderful work. My thoughts are with you all and the girl's family.

Such tragic news. My thoughts are with everyone who knew and loved Sarah. Our family love your animal park, and will be back to visit soon. RIP Sarah.

My heart goes out to Sarah's family and friends and to David Gill and all the staff at the Zoo. You all do a fantastic job up there and all those working closely with the dangerous animals are well aware of the potential risks involved in their role as keeper.

Read: Park owner: Killed woman 'failed to follow the correct procedures'

• UK
• tigers