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Russian speech sparks brawl in Ukrainian parliament

Parliament was briefly suspended in Ukraine after a speech in Russian sparked a fist fight between MPs.

The leader of the ruling Party of Regions, Oleksandr Yefremov, gave a speech in Russian which riled members of the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party, who chanted "Ukrainian!" at the politician.

Then Svoboda MPs approached Yefremov's members and a brawl erupted.

The use of the Russian language is a contentious issue in Ukraine, where millions consider it their mother tongue while many others see its use as an insult to national pride.

This is not the first time Ukraine politicians have resorted to violence.

Watch: Ukraine MPs brawl for the second time in two days.

Watch: Ukrainian politicians fight it out as debate gets nasty.

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Ukraine MPs brawl for the second time in two days

A session of Ukraine's new parliament collapsed amid chaos today when brawls erupted among opposition deputies and those of the ruling party over the election of parliamentary officials - for the second time in as many days.

A massive brawl between MPs erupted with dozens involved in a fight, but leaving boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, who was visiting the chamber, watching from the side.

On Wednesday opposition deputies paralysed the session by encircling the rostrum and sabotaged plans of the ruling coalition to ease Mykola Azarov into a second term as prime minister.

Today opposition deputies swarmed around the rostrum when a vote on the appointment of Vladimir Rybak, the Regions' candidate for speaker, was about to be announced, and clashed with a group of Regions deputies.

Full time: England 1 - 1 Ukraine

The referee has blown for full time and Frank Lampard's penalty has rescued a point for England at Wembley.

A screamer from Yevhen Konoplyanka put Ukraine ahead after 39 minutes before Lampard equalised with three minutes to go.

England captain Steven Gerrard was sent off in the 88th minute for a second bookable offence.

Click here for video highlights and detailed text updates from ITV Football.

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England go one goal down against Ukraine

Ukraine's Yevgen Konoplianka (centre) celebrates scoring the first goal of the game. Credit: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Ukraine's Yevhen Konoplyanka opened the scoring against England with a 25-yard curler 39 minutes into the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.

Earlier, England's Jermain Defoe had a goal disallowed for a foul.

Click here for live video and text updates from ITV Football.

Ukraine High court upholds conviction of former Prime Minister

Ukraine’s highest court has upheld the conviction of former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko for abuse of office, a case that has strained the former Soviet state’s ties with the West.

Tymoshenko was an architect of Ukraine’s 2004 Orange Revolution that promoted democracy and unsuccessfully ran for president in 2010.

She was sentenced to seven years in prison in October 2011, when she was found guilty of exceeding her powers while negotiating a gas contract with Russia while she was prime minister. Emma Murphy reports:

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