World News in Pictures

[Mr Lick]

Demonstrators hold signs aloft as they march during an NAACP march and rally to the Sanford Police Department for Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., March 31. Sanford is the town where Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot dead on Feb. 26 after George Zimmerman, 28, a Hispanic neighborhood watch captain, believed the young man walking through the gated community in a hooded sweatshirt looked suspicious.

[Mr Lick]

Participants compete during a comic tobogganing competition, dedicated to the upcoming All Fools' Day and the end of a winter sports season, at the Vetluzhanka ski stadium in the suburbs of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, March 31. More than 70 participants competed using basins, baths, and refrigerators as sleds according to organizers.

[Mr Lick]

Emotional Stiliyan Petrov receives standing ovation at Villa Park


Fans have paid tribute to emotional Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov as he attended the home game against Chelsea a day after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
Supporters staged a standing ovation, while players from both sides wore "support Stan" messages in the warm-up.

His former club Celtic have announced they will repeat the gesture on Sunday.

Petrov, 32, who is due to start treatment on Monday said football would have "to take a back seat for a while".

In the 19th minute of the game, chosen to match Petrov's shirt number, the whole ground and both benches stood up in applause and chanted his name.

[Mr Lick]

Airlines urge review as UK air passenger duty rises by 8%

Every air passenger will now have to pay more in duty when they fly

Air passenger duty (APD) has risen by 8%, as announced by the government in the Autumn Statement last year.

For short-haul flights, the tax has increased from £12 to £13. For long-haul flights of more than 4,000 miles, it has gone up from £85 to £92.

In light of the increase, airlines called on the Treasury to review the impact on "hard working families".

A Treasury minister said the majority of passengers will only pay an extra £1 as a result of the rise.

Also as of 1 April, corporation tax in the UK falls by 1% to 24%.

The changes in APD will also see it extended to private business jets for the first time.

[Mr Lick]

Hungary's Pal Schmitt resists quit calls over thesis

Pal Schmitt has rejected accusations of wrongdoing

The president of Hungary has resisted pressure to resign after being stripped of his doctorate for plagiarism.

Speaking on state TV, Pal Schmitt said he did not see any connection between the academic title and his role as head of state.

He said he had written the thesis to his "best knowledge and intentions" as a student 20 years ago.

Budapest's Semmelweis University withdrew the award after finding that large parts of his thesis were copied.

Mr Schmitt, whose role is largely ceremonial, denies the accusations, but has faced mounting calls from opposition parties and the media to quit.

[Mr Lick]

EDL takes part in far-right European rally in Denmark

The English Defence League is hoping to strengthen ties with counterparts in other European countries

Far-right groups from across Europe are holding a rally in Denmark aimed at setting up what they term an anti-Islamic alliance across the continent.

The demonstration has been organised by various groups who are concerned about the "Islamification of Europe".

The English Defence League (EDL), which is taking part, said it hoped it would be the start of a Europe-wide movement.

Campaigners against racism are worried that hardline Islamaphobic groups in Europe are now joining forces.

[Mr Lick]

Soviet ex-KGB chief Leonid Shebarshin 'kills himself'

Leonid Shebarshin (seen here in 1991) recently celebrated his 77th birthday

A former head of the Soviet KGB foreign intelligence branch, Leonid Shebarshin, has apparently shot himself dead aged 77, Russian prosecutors and police say.

Shebarshin was found dead with a gunshot wound at his flat in central Moscow, a ceremonial pistol by his side, police told news agencies.

A suicide note was reportedly also found at the scene.

A veteran of Soviet intelligence in South Asia and Iran, he led the KGB's First Chief Directorate from 1989-91.

In 1991, he replaced coup plotter Vladimir Kryuchkov for two days as overall head of the KGB before he resigned himself, as the new post-Communist authorities set about dismantling the organisation.

As head of KGB operations in post-revolutionary Iran, he was expelled along with fellow officers in 1983.

Previously he had served in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Russian media reports say.

[Mr Lick]

Mexico arrests over La Santa Muerte cult killings

The cult of La Santa Muerte is said to be on the rise

Police in northern Mexico have arrested eight people in connection with the killing of two 10-year-old boys and a woman in ritual sacrifices.

Prosecutors in the state of Sonora allege the suspects belong to the cult of La Santa Muerte, or Holy Death.

A spokesman said the victims' blood appeared to have been poured round an altar to the idol, which is portrayed as a skeleton holding a scythe.

The cult, which reveres death, has been growing rapidly in Mexico.

Jose Larrinaga, spokesman for Sonora state prosecutors, said the most recent killing was earlier this month, while the other two were committed in 2009 and 2010.

Their bodies were found at the altar site in the small mining community of Nacozari, some 70 miles (110km) south of Douglas, Arizona.

Investigations were launched after the family of 10-year-old Jesus Octavio Martinez Yanez reported him missing early this month.

Mr Larrinaga said the murders took place at a ritual during the night, lit by candles.

"They sliced open the victims' veins and, while they were still alive, they waited for them to bleed to death and collected the blood in a container," he said.

There have been no confirmed killings previously attributed to the cult, which follows a mix of Catholic faith with indigenous and pagan beliefs.

Many of those arrested belonged to the same family, reports said.

Silvia Meraz, one of the suspects, and her son, Ramon Palacios, were allegedly leaders of the cult, according to prosecutors.

[Mr Lick]

Burma by-election

































An official keeps the gates open for people arriving at a polling station in Kawhmu township, where Aung San Suu Kyi is standing as a candidate









People queue to cast their votes

[Mr Lick]

Email and web use 'to be monitored' under new UK laws




The government will be able to monitor the calls, emails, texts and website visits of everyone in the UK under new legislation set to be announced soon.

Internet firms will be required to give intelligence agency GCHQ access to communications on demand, in real time.

The Home Office says the move is key to tackling crime and terrorism, but civil liberties groups have criticised it.

Attempts by the last Labour government to take similar steps failed after huge opposition, including from the Tories.

A new law - which may be announced in the forthcoming Queen's Speech in May - would not allow GCHQ to access the content of emails, calls or messages without a warrant.

But it would enable intelligence officers to identify who an individual or group is in contact with, how often and for how long.

[Mr Lick]

Chilean volunteers hold up candles during Earth Hour in Valparaiso city, about 121 km (75 miles) northwest of Santiago, March 31, 2012.



A tourist receives assistance while escaping from a fire at Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, March 31, 2012.



A competitor has tanning lotion applied on his body before his turn in a body building competition in Mumbai March 31, 2012.



Kentucky Wildcats forward Terrence Jones falls into Louisville Cardinals cheerleaders during the men's NCAA Final Four semi-final college basketball game in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 31, 2012.

[Mr Lick]

A left-wing demonstrator throws a bicycle at some right-wing protestors as they leave their demonstration in a bus in Aarhus, March 31, 2012



Demonstrators wearing Guy Fawkes masks protest against blanket electronic data retention (vorratsdatenspeicherung) in Vienna, March 31, 2012.

[Mr Lick]

Members of the Serbian gendarmerie (top) detain two armed police officers from Kosovo near Merdare border crossing point between Kosovo and Serbia March 31, 2012.



Fox Hunt of Ireland, ridden by Silvestre De Sousa, falls as it breaks its leg while competing in the third race during the 17th Dubai World Cup at the Meydan racecourse in Dubai March 31, 2012.



Kenya's Maasai Cricket Warriors bowler Jonathon Ole Meshami (L) celebrates taking a wicket with teammate Robert Kilesi during the "Last Man Standing" Twenty20 (T20) cricket match against the Cricadillos in Cape Town March 31, 2012.

[Mr Lick]

Thai rescue workers remove a body after a bomb blast in southern Thailand's Yala province March 31, 2012



Valentina Marchei of Italy performs during the women's free skating event at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Nice March 31, 2012.



Interior Ministry officers detain an opposition activist during a protest rally to defend Article 31 of the Russian constitution, which guarantees the right of assembly, in Moscow March 31, 2012.



An anti-government protester jumps over a tear-gas canister fired by riot police during a protest against the murder of Ahmed Ismael Abdulsamad in Salmabad village south of Manama, March 31, 2012.

[Mr Lick]

Clashes in Syria

A meeting in Istanbul on Sunday, April 1, highlights the global division over how to stop the bloodshed in Syria as much as the unity of dozens of participating countries from the Western and Arab worlds






















In this image made from video, Syrian President Bashar Assad visits Baba Amr neighborhood in Homs, Syria, Tuesday, March 27, 2012. Assad visited Baba Amr, a former rebel stronghold in the key city of Homs that became a symbol of the uprising after a monthlong siege by government forces killed hundreds of people many of them civilians as troops pushed out rebel fighters. Homs has been one of the cities hardest hit by the government crackdown on the uprising that began last March.

[Mr Lick]

Two children lost their lives in a blaze in Noida, India. The result of a LPG leak

[Mr Lick]

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - MARCH 31: Two young mourners cry at the Sao Paulo Museum of Art (MASP) on Paulista Avenue during a protest against the killing of Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti, on March 31, 2012 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Roberto Laudisio Curti was killed by Australian police in Sydney using taser guns after allegedy stealing from a shop on March 18

[Mr Lick]

DUISBURG, GERMANY - MARCH 30: Richard O'Barry (WDSF) attends a demonstration against the Dolphinarium (delfinarium) at the Duisburger Zoo on March 30, 2012 in Duisburg, Germany. Former dolphin trainer and founder of The Dolphin Project Richard O'Barry of the WDSF has joined animal welfare supporters to raise awareness of the concerns they have over the treatment of dolphins at the zoo.

[Mr Lick]

PATIALA, INDIA - MARCH 30: Cabinet minister and Former SGPC President Bibi Jagir kaur appears in Patiala court for Harpreet Kaur Murder on March 30, 2012 in Patiala, India. The special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Patiala deliver its much-awaited verdict in the Harpreet Kaur murder case, in which Bibi Jagir Kaur has been found guilty of kidnap and forcible abortion, however the court dropped murder charges against her.



MARCH 30: Harvinder Kumar accused in Harpreet Kaur Murder Case attends Patiala court on March 30, 2012 in Patiala, India.



PATIALA, INDIA - MARCH 30: ASI Nishan Singh accused in Harpreet Kaur Murder Case appears in Patiala court on March 30, 2012 in Patiala, India

[Mr Lick]

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Maroochydore surf life saving club members carry Matthew Barclay's board during a memorial service for Matthew Barclay along Kurrawa Beach on April 1, 2012 on the Gold Coast, Australia. Matthew Barclay, 14, drowned while competing the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Kurrawa Beach on Wednesday















GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 01: Matthew's father, Steve Barclay (R) seen during a memorial service for Matthew Barclay along Kurrawa Beach on April 1, 2012 on the Gold Coast, Australia. Matthew Barclay, 14, drowned while competing the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships at Kurrawa Beach on Wednesday

[Mr Lick]

Chagford footballer Chris Ralph dies after collapsing in game

Chris Ralph had played in the South Devon Football League for many years

A 47-year-old footballer has died after collapsing with a suspected cardiac arrest during a cup final game.

Chris Ralph was playing for Chagford against Topsham Town in the first-half of the Devon Veterans' County Cup final at Newton Abbot on Friday night.

The father-of-four from Budleigh Salterton, Devon, collapsed after 29 minutes and died later in Torbay Hospital. The game was abandoned.

The club said he was a "fine player, a loyal clubman and great family man".
'Very sad'

[Mr Lick]

Lima, Peru: Members of scouts groups take part in the worldwide celebration of Earth Hour, an initiative organised by the World Wildlife Fund



Bamako, Mali: Cloth sellers wait for customers at the Grand Market. Many sellers say business is suffering as worried residents in the capital, Bamako, hold off from purchasing non-essential items a week after a military coup threw the country into turmoil



Kiev, Ukraine: A dog carries a placard, reading, 'I want to live,' during a protest march over the treatment of homeless animals

[Mr Lick]

Sofia, Bulgaria: Syrian immigrants shout slogans during a rally against President Bashar al-Assad in front of the Syrian embassy



Sarawak, Malaysia: Tourists walk towards the main entrance of the Niah Great cave at Niah National Park on Borneo. The caves contain the oldest remains of Homo sapiens found in Borneoas well as ancient rock paintings

[Mr Lick]

Myanmar's democratic spring

[Mr Lick]

Aung San Suu Kyi is kissed by a voter as she visits a polling station to observe voting in her constituency of Kawmhu township in parliamentary by-elections in Myanmar, April 1. Voters lining up to vote flocked to greet the democracy icon running for her National League for Democracy (NLD) party.