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The mother of UK computer hacker Gary McKinnon says she is "confident" the new coalition will halt his extradition to the US as early as next week.

Janis Sharp said the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats promised before the election he would be tried in the UK.

They would not want to be the type of government which broke its promises as soon as it took power, she said.

Glasgow-born Mr McKinnon is accused of breaking into the US military computer system and faces 60 years in jail.

The 43-year-old, who has Asperger’s syndrome, says he was on a "moral crusade" to find classified documents about UFOs.

‘Gary’s nightmare’

Ms Sharp has spearheaded a public campaign to keep her son in the UK, and many opposition politicians at the time, including David Cameron and Nick Clegg, were critical of Labour for allowing the extradition.

She said she had "total trust" that the new coalition would "honour its promise".

"We are expecting, probably next week, for them to end Gary’s nightmare and halt the extradition process permanently and allow Gary to be tried here as promised," she said.

"This government is new, it’s fresh and they don’t want to be seen as the kind of government that is going to break its promises as soon as it gets in."

They would not want to "wreck their reputation" so early on, she added.

"It has said goodbye to the old thing of saying one thing and doing another and I totally trust they will do as they have said," she said.

His legal team has already made "representations" to the new Home Secretary Theresa May to overrule the decision to allow his extradition.

At the end of this month, a judge is due to rule on whether the previous home secretary Alan Johnson was wrong to allow the extradition.

But Ms Sharp said her son’s lawyers had applied for this judicial review to be cancelled because they were so "confident" his extradition would be stopped.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary William Hague has promised the government will take a fresh look at extradition arrangements between the UK and the US.

The computer systems Mr McKinnon – now of Wood Green, north London – is accused of breaking into include those at the Pentagon.

The American authorities say his actions in 2001 and 2002 caused $800,000 (£487,000) damage but this is something he disputes.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

The future of Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey will be considered at a party meeting after the general election left it with no MPs.

It is the first time the UUP has had no representation for more than a century.

Earlier this week sources indicated that Sir Reg may step down during the meeting at a County Antrim hotel.

However, some senior figures have expressed hope he might stay on for at least a few months while the party decides on a much-needed new direction.

In less than 10 years, the party has gone from being the fourth largest party in the Commons to having no seats.

Sir Reg took a big risk to try to stop the decline, forging an electoral pact with David Cameron’s Conservative Party.

However, the only UUP MP remaining after its disastrous 2005 general election performance, Lady Sylvia Hermon, left the party to stand as an independent in protest at its link-up with the Tories.

She retained her North Down seat with a convincing majority.

Sir Reg chose to stand in the South Antrim constituency, which was thought to provide the party’s best chance of making a gain from the Democratic Unionists.

However, he lost out to the DUP’s sitting MP, William McCrea.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Air passengers are facing the risk of further disruption from volcanic ash, the Scottish government has said.

High levels of ash from an Icelandic volcano will cover parts of Scotland on Sunday and the whole of the UK on Monday, according to Met Office advice.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said passengers were advised to check flight details with airlines before travelling to the airport.

He added the situation was "fluid" but safety was paramount.

"High levels of volcanic activity in Iceland and prevailing weather conditions mean that Scotland is once again facing disruption as aviation authorities consider appropriate steps to protect the travelling public," Mr Stevenson said.

The Department of Transport said on Saturday that five-day ash prediction charts would be made available on the Met Office website.

Previous forecasts were only given for the following 18 hours.

Mr Stevenson welcomed the decision to publish the five-day prediction charts.

But he called for further action to clarify advice to passengers, following the cancellation of BA flights from Heathrow to Scotland on Friday.

According to reports, some passengers claimed they had been ‘misled’ that the reason was due disruption from volcanic ash.

‘Consistent advice’

Mr Stevenson said: "As important is that airlines are consistent in the way that they report advice and use it to inform operational decisions to avoid unnecessary and unhelpful confusion.

"I have today written to BA Chief Executive Willie Walsh to convey the frustration of passengers and to urge the airline to engage with the CAA, Nats and the Met Office to ensure there is consistent advice and action across the industry."

Nats, the UK’s air traffic services provider, will announce any airspace restrictions if they become necessary.

A spokesman for BAA, which operates Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports in Scotland, welcomed the new five-day forecasts.

He added: "It’s good to have information in advance but we are acutely aware that things can change quickly."

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

A French lecturer charged with spying in Iran after last June’s disputed election will be allowed to leave the country on Sunday, says her lawyer.

Clotilde Reiss was sentenced to 10 years in jail at a hearing on Saturday, but this was commuted to a fine of $285,000 (£190,000), said her lawyer.

The 25-year-old was accused of espionage and e-mailing photographs of anti-government protests.

The French foreign ministry said it was "awaiting her return without delay".

She has been staying at the French embassy in the capital Tehran since she was bailed six weeks after her arrest in July last year.

France frees Iranian

Ms Reiss had been on a six-month teaching and research assignment in the central city of Isfahan.

Her lawyer, Mohammad Ali Mahdavi, said he had paid the fine on her behalf and would collect her passport from the authorities on Sunday.

The BBC’s Hugh Schofield in the French capital says that with France at the forefront of efforts to punish Iran for its nuclear programme, there has been suspicion Ms Reiss was being held to put pressure on Paris.

Last week, France freed an Iranian engineer whom it detained for allegedly exporting electronic parts illegally to sell to Iran’s military.

The US had wanted to extradite Majid Kakavand, but a French court rejected the request last week and he was allowed return home.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

ROSS COUNTYPossessionDundee Utd 50%Ross County 50%Attempts on targetDundee Utd 0Ross County 0Attempts off targetDundee Utd 0Ross County 0CornersDundee Utd 0Ross County 0FoulsDundee Utd 0Ross County 0

Active Nation Scottish Cup final Venue: Hampden Park Date: Saturday, 15 May Kick-off: 1500 BSTCoverage: Live: BBC One Scotland from 1255 BST, BBC Radio Scotland commentary available online (UK only), live text on BBC Sport website. Highlights: BBC One Scotland 2255 BST.

Dundee United are boosted by the return of fit-again Mihael Kovacevic and Danny Cadamarteri for the Active Nation Scottish Cup final.

Paul Dixon is sidelined with a broken foot, while Darren Dods will also miss out with a cartilage problem.

Ross County boss Derek Adams expects to have a full squad available.

Richard Brittain and Alex Keddie are both available after suspension. Goalkeeper Michael McGovern should also recover from a minor knock to feature.

United start the 125th Scottish Cup final as strong favourites, having finished an impressive season third in the Scottish Premier League.

However, there is no chance of Peter Houston’s side underestimating County, with the First Division club knocking out Hibernian and Celtic to secure their place at Hampden.

Scotland’s most northerly senior club hail from Dingwall, with a population of a little more than 5,000, while Dundee can boast 143,390 residents.

Despite the disparity in fan base, United have sold just 10,000 more tickets for the big day and 17,000 are expected to be roaring on the Staggies in Glasgow, with supporters travelling from all over the Highlands.

Indeed, Highland League and shinty fixtures have been rearranged to accommodate the demand.

There is quite a contrast in the honours won by Saturday’s opponents, which is understandable given County were admitted to the senior ranks in 1994 – the same year United enjoyed their only Scottish Cup success.

The Tangerines have been Premier League champions, twice won the League Cup, were European semi-finalists in 1984 and Uefa Cup runners-up three years later.

When United were besting the likes of Barcelona, Monaco, Borussia Mönchengladbach, PSV Eindhoven, Anderlecht and Werder Bremen in their 1980s heyday, County were battling against Forres Mechanics and Fraserburgh.

But County are no strangers to silverware, winning the Challenge Cup in 2006, as well as the Third Division (1999) and Second Division (2008) titles.

This is the furthest the Staggies have ever progressed in the Scottish Cup – their previous best was a spot in the last 16, while United’s 1994 triumph came after six painful defeats in the final and there was more Hampden disappointment in 2005.

Former Everton forward Cadamarteri is almost certain to be among the United substitutes, with Houston looking to David Goodwillie and Jon Daly for goals.

Goodwillie was on target in the semi-final win against Raith Rovers and was named Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.

Kovacevic could replace Keith Watson at right-back, with Sean Dillon, Garry Kenneth and skipper Andy Webster making up the back four.

Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben have been impressive in central midfield all season, while Craig Conway and Danny Swanson are likely to be deployed in wide roles.

With no injury worries, County are not expected to change too much from the side that played so well to stun Celtic 2-0 in the semi-final, although midfielder Paul Lawson will be pressing for a starting place.

Both sides have struggled for form since securing their places in the final. County’s push for promotion fizzled out with two wins from the seven matches that followed their Hampden heroics, while United have won just one of their last six outings.

However, with history to be made on Saturday, every player on show will be straining at the leash to strut their stuff at the national stadium.

Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Watson, Webster, Swanson, D Robertson, S Robertson, Myrie-Williams, Conway, Buaben, Gomis, Goodwillie, Shala, Daly, Dow, Banks, Casalinuovo, Hill, Cadamarteri, Kovacevic.

Ross County (from): McGovern, Morrison, Boyd, Watt, Girvan, Smith, Lawson, Vigurs, Kettlewell, Craig, Wood, Barrowman, Scott, Gardyne, Di Giacomo, Brittain, Keddie, Malin.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Carlo Ancelotti created history as Didier Drogba’s second-half winner sank Portsmouth and sealed Chelsea’s first Premier League and FA Cup double.

Drogba’s precise free-kick just before the hour was the decisive moment of an incident-packed FA Cup Final that saw Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and both sides miss from the penalty spot.

Chelsea – who become only the seventh club to win the coveted domestic double – were again grateful to the prolific Drogba, who kept up his remarkable record of scoring in each of his six games at Wembley with his 37th goal of the season.

He scored just minutes after Pompey’s Kevin-Prince Boateng saw his half-hit penalty kick saved by Chelsea keeper Petr Cech – and in that moment Pompey’s chances of repeating their victory of two years ago effectively disappeared.

Chelsea were even able to survive a rare penalty miss by Frank Lampard in the closing seconds when he shot wide from the spot after he had been brought down by Michael Brown.

The margin of victory belied Chelsea’s superiority, especially in a remarkable first half when Lampard, John Terry, Salomon Kalou and Drogba, on two occasions, all struck the frame of the goal.

Pompey bravely held on, but wasted their own big chances in the shape of Boateng’s penalty miss and a Frederic Piquionne effort from six yards that was scrambled away by Cech before the break.

It is a victory that caps a remarkable campaign for Ancelotti – and there was a personal honour for defender Ashley Cole, who became the most decorated player in FA Cup history by claiming his sixth winners’ medal.

Pompey battled with the resolve that has taken them to Wembley against a background of financial meltdown and relegation to the Championship under Avram Grant, but Chelsea had the extra weaponry when it mattered to deprive the Fratton Park club of any consolation at the end of a troubled campaign.

And Ancelotti, the modest and dignified Italian, took another step towards banishing the ghost of Jose Mourinho from Stamford Bridge by writing a new chapter in the Stamford Bridge record books.

Chelsea dominated the first half, only to run into a wall of defiance from Portsmouth’s defenders and goalkeeper David James – but most of all the woodwork.

Ancelotti’s side struck the frame of the goal five times in a wave of attacks, and yet this resilient Pompey side also had, and missed, a wonderful chance to strike themselves.

Lampard was first to feel the frustration when, after shooting inches wide, he glanced the outside of the post with a swerving effort from 20 yards that left James helpless.

Pompey have performed with great heart throughout a cup run that has salvaged something from the wreckage of their season, and they should have gone ahead after 21 minutes.

Boateng volleyed Aruna Dindane’s cross into the six-yard area and Piqiuonne’s instinctive finish was met with equally sharp reflexes from Cech, who clawed the ball away.

The rest of the opening period was a tale of sustained Chelsea pressure, with Pompey hanging on via a mixture of brave defence and outrageous good fortune.

Kalou was guilty of a dreadful miss after 26 minutes, hitting the bar from almost on the line after Ashley Cole’s cross delivered an invitation to score it appeared impossible to refuse.

Chelsea captain Terry rose in towering fashion to head Florent Malouda’s free-kick against the bar before Drogba then thought he had finally given Chelsea the lead.

The Ivorian’s 30-yard free-kick took Portsmouth by surprise, but James – the oldest keeper to play in an FA Cup Final at 39 years and 287 days – reacted to turn it on to the bar and down on to the goalline. The officials remained unmoved as Chelsea appealed for a goal, and replays proved inconclusive.

There was still time for Drogba to hit the post again, this time from an acute angle, as Portsmouth somehow remained on terms until the interval.

And their spirits soared after 54 minutes when Juliano Belletti, on as a first-half substitute for Michael Ballack after he suffered an ankle injury, brought down Boateng as he raced into the area.

Referee Chris Foy had an easy decision to point to the spot – but Cech’s save was just as easy from Boateng’s woeful penalty.

And the dire consequences of the miss were emphasised five minutes later when Drogba ended the charmed life that had been led by the Pompey goal. The positioning of keeper James may be questioned, but Drogba’s placement was perfect, scoring low in the corner via the upright.

Kalou then dragged a finish wide from a good position, his final contribution as he was replaced by Joe Cole with 20 minutes left. Cole received a huge ovation from the Chelsea fans amid growing speculation that this could be his final game for the club before quitting Stamford Bridge on a free transfer.

And he almost scored with his first touch after Drogba saw his shot saved by James at the near post. He then teed up Cole – but he miscued his effort and the chance was gone.

Chelsea were given the opportunity to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance when Lampard was fouled inside the area by Brown, but he contributed to the seemingly endless drama by miscueing his kick wide.

Pompey, however, were unable to profit from the reprieve and Chelsea added the FA Cup to the Premier League crown they claimed last Sunday.

Portsmouth01 James03 Rocha yellow card16 Finnan04 Mokoena05 O’Hara yellow card06 Mullins (Belhadj 81)08 Diop (Kanu 81)11 Brown23 Boateng yellow card (Utaka 73)09 Piquionne24 DindaneSubstitutes21 Ashdown,18 Vanden Borre,26 Ben-Haim,39 Belhadj,17 Utaka,22 Hughes,27 KanuRef: FoyAtt: 88,335PORTSMOUTHPossessionChelsea 56%Portsmouth 44%Attempts on targetChelsea 10Portsmouth 1Attempts off targetChelsea 14Portsmouth 1CornersChelsea 6Portsmouth 2FoulsChelsea 16Portsmouth 14

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Parts of the UK’s airspace are at risk of closure from Sunday because of volcanic activity in Iceland, the Department for Transport has said.

Disruption could affect some of the UK’s busiest airports in south-east England until Tuesday, it warned.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said passenger safety was the government’s top priority.

Ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano caused disruption to thousands of flights during April.

Airspace across Europe was shut down for five days following concerns that ash could turn to molten glass in high temperatures, crippling plane engines.

Scientists and engineers have since revised the safe to fly threshold, but clouds of volcanic ash have continued to drift over Europe, causing airport closures, flight delays and cancellations.

Prediction charts

In the past week, several airports in southern Europe were forced to close and flights were re-routed.

Ministers have agreed on Saturday that five-day ash prediction charts would be made available on the Met Office website.

"Within this timeframe, different parts of UK airspace – including airspace in the South East – are likely to be closed at different times," the Department of Transport said in a statement.

Previous forecasts were only given for the following 18 hours.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said the five-day forecasts would ensure "airlines, other transport providers and the public [had] the best possible information".

But he stressed the situation "remained fluid" and the forecasts – based on assumptions about future volcanic activity and prevailing weather conditions – were "always liable to change".

"Nats – the UK’s air traffic services provider – will advise of any airspace closures as and when they become necessary and I urge passengers to check with their airlines before taking any action," he added.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber produced a superb display in qualifying to snatch pole position from Renault’s Robert Kubica in Monaco.

The Australian’s time of one minute 13.826 seconds edged out Kubica, who had earlier set an impressive 1:14.104.

Webber’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel was third, just ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton.

Nico Rosberg claimed sixth place on the grid, ahead of team-mate Michael Schumacher, with Jenson Button eighth.

Williams’ Rubens Barrichello and Force India’s Vitantonio Liuzzi rounded out the top 10.

One notable absentee from qualifying was Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso, who crashed into the barriers at Massenet during final practice on Saturday morning, causing such severe damage to his chassis that he was unable to partake and will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid in a spare car.

However, in his teammates absence Felipe Massa produced one of his strongest qualifying displays of the season; setting the initial pace in Q1 before ultimately settling for fourth with a time of 1:14.283.

Once again though, Red Bull have come out on top, continuing their record of being on pole for every one of this season’s six races, with Webber taking his third.

"It was a bit of a blur to be honest," said Webber. "I told the team it was all about lap three and four.

"It all came together in that lap, the car was a pleasure to drive and I am delighted because the guys have worked really hard.

"To get pole at Monaco is obviously a great feeling so I am really pleased."

Kubica had been fastest in Saturday morning’s final practice and his performance in qualifying was comfortably his best of the season, improving on his previous best sixth at Malaysia.

In the space of two flying laps he firstly recorded a time of 1:14.284 and then improving it by 0.280secs to seemingly claim only his second pole, after Bahrain in 2008.

"It has been a good effort from both the team and myself," said Kubica

"I pushed very hard on my first lap because you never know with the traffic here, but the tyres were then gone for my second lap.

"But we have to be happy obviously when you are so close to the front you want to be number one but this is still good."

Vettel, with three poles himself this season recorded a fastest lap time of 1:14.227 to take his place in the second row.

Red Bull will be particularly pleased with the display of their two drivers, who undoubtedly have speed at their disposal but have shown they also possess the driving ability to dominate the slowest circuit of the championship.

More to follow.

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McLaren’s Jenson Button has accused Ferrari’s Felipe Massa of holding him up during Monaco Grand Prix qualifying.

Defending world champion Button said the Brazilian blocked him early in the final session on Saturday.

"It was very annoying that he got in the way because it was blatantly slowing me down," said Button.

Massa denied any wrongdoing, saying: "The car in front of me backed off, so I backed off as well. These things happen. There is nothing you can do."

But Button, who will line up eighth for Sunday’s race with Massa fourth, insisted that Massa was in the wrong and that with the field reduced to 10 cars for the final shoot-out there was no excuse for his behaviour.

"I had so much space, I don’t know what he was thinking," Button said.

"There are only 10 cars out there in Q3 it should be easy to keep out of the way of cars coming round."

"He obviously was not looking in his mirrors and it was right at the end of my first timed lap of the session."

Button said he was surprised Massa had not been given a penalty.

There had been concerns ahead of qualifying that drivers would be held up in the first session, which saw 23 cars packed onto Monaco’s famously tight street circuit following Ferrari driver Fernando Alonso’s practice crash, which ruled the Spaniard out for the rest of the day.

But ironically most of the complaints came after the third session.

Michael Schumacher said he was hindered by his Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg.

"It was in Q3 when there was lowest traffic and he was in the way. Bit of a shame, but there you go," said the German.

The Mercedes pair line up sixth and seventh on the Monte Carlo grid, with Rosberg once again getting the better of his celebrated team-mate.

But Rosberg was far from satisfied with sixth, the 24-year old topped the timesheets in second qualifying and was disappointed that he slipped back in the final session.

"I am in a bad mood, I did terribly today," said the 24-year old German.

"I should have had pole or at least been on the front row of the grid today, because in Q2 it was easy for me to be first with just one set of tyres.

"It just went completely wrong in the last qualifying session.

"I just didn’t get it together too many laps, traffic and I made a mistake myself so just a disaster and very, very disappointing,

"I am really sorry to the whole team that it went so bad and it will be a difficult race starting sixth."

Red Bull’s Mark Webber will start from pole position for Sunday’s race after edging out Renault’s Robert Kubica in the closing stages of qualifying.

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The Thai army has designated an area of Bangkok as a "live firing zone" in a warning to protesters on a third day of violence that has killed at least 16.

"No entry" signs have been put up near a barricaded camp where the protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, have been based since March.

Some 150 people have been injured since the violence broke out, and three more deaths were reported on Saturday.

Authorities have ruled out negotiations with the red-shirt protesters.

Despite claims by the Thai government that the situation is under control and its soldiers have only fired in self-defence, army snipers have been accused of targeting protesters, and footage from Bangkok on Saturday showed red-shirts dragging gunshot-victims to safety.

Explosions and sporadic gunfire can be heard around the protest site, where barricades of tyres are still burning.

The violence escalated on Thursday after a renegade general who supports the protests was shot in the head by an unknown gunman.

Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), is in a critical condition and doctors believe he is unlikely to survive.

Embassy advice

Correspondents say the live firing area, more than 1 kilometre north of the camp, is an area the army has been trying to secure for several hours, and has been designated by the government to prevent reinforcements entering the camp and getting behind military roadblocks.

Around a third of the city is now under emergency rule, but while there are pockets of fighting, life beyond the barricades seems to be going on as normal, correspondents say.

Inside the camp, red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said stocks were running low because of the blockade, but added that they would last "for days".

"We’ll keep on fighting until the government takes responsibility," he said.

Tori Anderson, who lives close to the camp, said the gunfire and explosions overnight had made it a sleepless night for many of the city’s residents.

"I have lived in Pakistan and Afghanistan but I feel more worried right now," she told the BBC. "The atmosphere is really tense because there is such a build up of soldiers and weapons."

The US embassy has stepped up its travel warnings, advising its citizens to stay away from Bangkok, and is offering to evacuate family members of diplomatic staff.

The US has encouraged the two sides "to find a way to work peacefully through these differences", while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also urged restraint.

Journalists shot

On Friday, troops fired live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with the protesters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at the soldiers.

One Canadian and one Thai journalist were shot. A government spokesman said troops had come under attack and "had no choice but to respond", adding that they were authorised to use live rounds in self-defence, for warning shots or against armed protesters.

The military said some protesters had fired guns and threw grenades.

The protesters, who have adopted the colour red, have reinforced the barricades around their camp made of bamboo stakes, tyres and sandbags.

Many of the protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup.

They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.

He had offered polls in November – but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month.

Mr Thaksin has called on the government to withdraw troops and restart negotiations.

Thailand’s worst political unrest in nearly two decades has now left at least 42 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.

Are you in or close to the protest camp in Bangkok? What is the situation in the area? Are you worried there’ll be more violence? Send us your comments Click here to add comments..

At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.

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Italy has fined Irish low-cost airline Ryanair 3m euros (£2.5m) for failing to help passengers after cancelling their flights during the volcanic ash crisis.

Italy’s civil aviation authority said it knew of 178 cases of passengers who did not receive mandatory assistance, such as food, between 17 and 22 April.

Ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano triggered a massive shutdown of European airspace last month.

Ryanair was not immediately available for comment.

The ash cloud paralysed many airports and left an estimated eight million tourists and business travellers stranded.

Italy’s air agency, Enac, accused Ryanair of failing to provide passengers at Rome’s Ciampino airport with drinks, foods and accommodation as required by European law.

Enac found that most other airlines had managed to meet their obligations despite the difficult circumstances.

Ryanair initially insisted it would only refund the cost of passengers’ tickets, but later agreed to fully implement European regulations and pay all "reasonable expenses".

Under EU regulations, if a flight is cancelled, those flying with European carriers into or out of the EU have the right to a refund or to be re-routed.

If passengers chose the latter, they have the right to care – such as accommodation and meals – while they wait.

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Talks between BA and union leaders aimed at averting a series of strikes are due to start on Monday.

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A woman has been charged with the attempted murder of Labour MP Stephen Timms, who was stabbed twice in the stomach at his constituency surgery.

The former treasury minister, 54, was left covered in blood after the attack in Newham, east London, on Friday.

Roshonara Choudhary, 21, of East Ham, has been charged with attempted murder and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

She is due to appear at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

A spokesman for the Royal London Hospital said Mr Timms was recovering well following an operation.

‘Comfortable and resting’

The hospital spokeswoman said on Saturday: "Stephen Timms had surgery yesterday evening at the Royal London Hospital to repair his stab wounds.

"The operation went well. He is comfortable and resting on a ward.

"It is anticipated that he will be discharged from hospital in the next few days to recuperate at home."

Newham Council said it was reviewing security arrangements following the incident.

A spokeswoman said: "Stephen is a popular MP, well-respected by local residents and we wish him a speedy recovery."

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Services through the Channel Tunnel have been disrupted after a problem on a Eurotunnel shuttle train.

Eurotunnel said a CO2 sensor had triggered an alarm, setting off an emergency procedure in which all passengers have to be evacuated.

Eurostar, which runs high-speed trains through the tunnel between London and Paris and Brussels, said its services had been suspended for a period.

Lines have since started to reopen, but passengers were told to expect delays.

Investigation under way

"The traffic is resuming now, we have received authorisation from Eurotunnel," a Eurostar spokeswoman told AFP news agency. "But we expect a knock-on effect on the schedule."

Services in both directions were halted when the alarm was triggered in the tunnel shortly after 0700 BST (0800 GMT).

The nearest train, a shuttle carrying 30 lorries and drivers, was evacuated and taken back to the surface on the UK side.

Emergency services from Kent were called.

Nigel Shamber, duty inspector at Kent Police, said: "They have an awful lot of sensors in the tunnel and one of them went off. These things happen very frequently.

"There has not been a fire or any significant incident. Trains are now running in a reduced capacity."

A Eurotunnel spokeswoman said: "The freight train was travelling towards England and was more than half-way through the tunnel when it was stopped.

"Emergency services are trying to work out why the detector went off. We need to understand why it happened."

Nine Eurostar trains were delayed by between 50 minutes and three hours, French state rail operator SNCF said. Services leaving Paris, London and Brussels were all hit.

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Keep up-to-date with the glitz and glamour of this year’s Cannes Film Festival with our BBC News reporter Fiona Pryor.

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 1900 LOCAL TIME (1800BST)

I’ve been to see my third film of the day, The Housemaid, directed by South Korea’s Im Sang-Soo.

It is based on a 1960 movie of the same name which I’ve never seen, but this version completely blew me away. Not knowing the story, I wasn’t prepared for the ending.

Definitely a strong contender for the Palme D’Or in my opinion.

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 1820 LOCAL TIME (1710BST)

Not everyone who comes to Cannes is lucky enough to have access to all the screening and parties. Many people travel here in the hope they can blag their way into an official event.

The done thing seems to be holding up a sign asking for tickets – a kind of posh begging.

Kader and Antoine caught my eye as they were willing to exchange hugs for tickets. I couldn’t help (my press pass is my ticket and I’m certainly not giving that away) but they gave me a hug anyway!

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 1420 LOCAL TIME (1320BST)

Imagine having £70,000 in savings and then ploughing it all into a low budget movie – withouth knowing how it would take off.

Well that’s exactly what actor and director Warren Speed from Newcastle did (against his wife’s better judgement).

Zombie Women of Satan is out on DVD in the UK next month and Warren and his team are out in Cannes…dressed in character trying to sell it to other countries. Oh, and wife Michelle likes the movie and says it’s worth the gamble.

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 1300 LOCAL TIME (1200 BST)

I am well and truly into the swing of things here!

Benda Bilili was brilliant – a compelling story of Congolese street musicians, which took five years for directors Renaud Barret and Florent de la Tullaye to make.

After meeting the titular band and hearing their music, the film-makers decided to help the group, who were still living on the streets, make an album.

Half of the group are in wheelchairs and they spend their time travelling around rehearsing on the streets – some with custom-made instruments.

I don’t want to ruin the film, but if you have a Glastonbury or Womad ticket then keep an eye out for them. A great start to the 42nd Directors Fortnight.

Meanwhile, Tournee (On Tour) was the first film to be screened in the official competition. Quantum Of Solace baddie Mathieu Amalric directed, wrote and starred in the movie, about a group of US Burlesque dancers touring around France.

He plays Joachim, a former television producer, who brings the curvaceous American showgirls to France with romantic promises of a grand tour culminating in Paris.

In a case of life mirroring art, Amalric hand-picked some real-life dancers to appear in the film and brought them all the way to Cannes for today’s screening.

Their names are reminiscent of Bond girls – Mimi Le Meaux, Dirty Martini – but they got to perform their own routines in the movie.

Afterwards, the director revealed his first cut had been three hours long and it was a "terrible moment" when he had to start editing it down.

But being nominated for the Palme d’Or, he said, was "the icing on the cake".

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 1250 LOCAL TIME (1150 BST)

Some Cannes controversy now. Algerian film-maker Rachid Bouchareb has written to the festival calling for "mutual respect" and a "calm climate" when his movie Hors La Loi (Outside the Law) is screened.

His plea comes after French war veteran groups threatened to demonstrate outside the Palais des Festivals.

Hors La Loi is about three Algerian brothers who become involved in the movement for Algerian independence. French right-wing political figures have criticised it for its depiction of the country’s role in the war – which ended with Algeria’s independence in 1962.

Rachid says that "cinema must be able to broach all subjects".

Another movie that has made headlines is Draquila, which debuts later today. Italy’s culture minister Sandro Bondi said he would boycott Cannes because the movie criticises Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s handling of the relief efforts for the L’Aquila earthquake last year.

Despite that, the movie – whose title is a compression of the words Dracula and Aquila – has been a big success at the box office in Italy.

Comparing herself to Michael Moore, director Sabina Guzzanti told Variety: "I make movies; not documentaries. My main goal was to understand what was going on. To be rigorous in my research, to try to be objective. But, of course, this reflects my viewpoint."

THURSDAY, 13 MAY. 0900 LOCAL TIME (0800 BST)

So, last night was the grand opening of this year’s festival and thousands turned out to greet the stars on the red carpet, including Eva Longoria Parker, Salma Hayek and Dame Helen Mirren.

But it was Kate Beckinsale – who turned up in a pale blue Marchesa gown that looked good enough to eat that, for me, stole the show. Or at least the red carpet!

One person who was missing from the line up was Robin Hood director Sir Ridley Scott, who according to reports is recovering from knee surgery.

But the rest of the A-list clientele more than made up for it. judging by the sea of flashbulbs.

Today I’m off to see my first film of the festival – after all this is what it is all about.

It’s a documentary called Benda Bilili, which is about a homeless band from the Congo and how they struggled to live on the streets whilst still making music.

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY. 1745 LOCAL TIME (1645 BST)

The main roads in Cannes have now closed down and thousands of people are lining the streets, waiting for a glimpse of Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett.

Their movie, Robin Hood, was screened earlier today – with the general feeling that it was good, but not as good as Crowe’s first collaboration with Sir Ridley Scott, Gladiator.

Sir Ridley, by the way, can’t be here for the premiere. He’s having a knee operation.

Crowe, meanwhile, is on bullish form – batting away questions about plans for a Robin Hood sequel with a cheeky smile.

"Obviously there’s a figure in the studio heads’ mind," he told reporters.

"If we pass a certain figure then they’ll give us a call and say, ‘well, tell the second part of the story’, but there’s no grand plan in that regard. We don’t have two other scripts under Ridley’s hospital bed."

While we wait for the talent to arrive, there are a few distractions to keep us entertained… I am stood next to a street artist dresssed as Puss In Boots, who is playing with two very tame cats!

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY. 1415 LOCAL TIME (1315 BST)

Tim Burton and the rest of the jury have just met the press, as they prepare for the mammoth task of watching all 19 films competing for the Palme d’Or.

If past years are anything to go by, they’ll make a shortlist, then rewatch the remaining contenders again – maybe multiple times – before they make their final decision.

Burton says he told his fellow panellists to "feel the films" and "be open".

Kate Beckinsale, sitting beside him at the press conference, looked radiant – especially considering she’d had a fraught journey to Cannes because of the ash cloud.

The actress revealed she’d managed to miss last night’s arrival dinner and was worried her fellow judges "would hate her for being late".

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY. 1245 LOCAL TIME (1145 BST)

Just slipped onto a rather exclusive yacht to meet the big boss of a 3D company. XPand is the official technical provider of 3D at the festival this year. CEO Maria Costeira tells me there are 37 screenings of 3D films in Cannes – but no big Hollywood blockbusters, unlike last year when Pixar’s Up opened the event.

Maria is promoting the world’s first set of universal 3D glasses. It’s all very technical, but basically they can be used on any 3D TV or cinema worldwide. They can be customised, too, to save you looking "like a frog" when at the cinema (Maria’s words, not mine).

Expect them to hit UK shores from August, although apparently some schools have already started using them as part of Biology lessons. Presumably to look at a frog.

WEDNESDAY, 12 MAY. 1230 LOCAL TIME (1130 BST)

Russell Crowe and co are in town! I know that, not because I’ve seen them with my own eyes (yet) but because I could hear all the photographers screaming at them.

I was denied access to the official Robin Hood photo call, so I had to make do with standing outside – with hundreds of others who’d been kept out – listening to the screams and hollers as the Hollywood A-listers had had their pictures taken.

In other news, I’ve had my first taste of what people here will do to get noticed… ANYTHING!

Earlier, I was handed a flyer by a man dressed up as a knight in shining armour. It turns out he’s written a film – My Guaranteed Student Loan – and is trying to promote the movie, which is "for sale on the market".

It stars Academy Award-winning actress Celeste Holm (Gentlemen’s Agreement, All About Eve) and Richard Pryor Jr.

In a nutshell, it’s a comedy about a US college student who makes a bet one Halloween night that could change his life forever.

As for the costume, Dexter Warr says "baby powder is the secret" to slipping it on.

TUESDAY, 11 MAY. 1630 LOCAL TIME (1530 BST)

Despite warnings that the pesky ash cloud might disrupt flights to the south of France, I have made it to Cannes… along with thousands of other journalists, producers, directors and assorted hangers-on.

Strolling around, trying to get my bearings, it seems that mother nature’s attempt to steal the lead role – by gatecrashing the town under the guise of a torrential storm – is well and truly over.

As promised, locals and festival organisers have managed to piece the town back together and everything is back on track for one of the biggest events in the film calendar.

The sun is beaming and the sea is calm, awaiting the arrival of Russell Crowe and his merry men on French turf tomorrow, where they will open the festivities with their retelling of the legend of Robin Hood.

Send us your messages for Fiona, and tell us what you think of the films competing for this year’s Palme d’Or.

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