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Moments after the first blast
The FBI is leading a terror investigation after three people were killed and more than 140 others hurt in a twin-bombing attack during the Boston Marathon.
Spectators' cheers turned to screams and a pool of blood formed on the ground as the explosions ripped through the crowd near the finish line.
The blasts happened almost simultaneously about 100m (330ft) apart, shattering windows and sending smoke and debris into the air.
Emergency workers tore away fencing as others carried seriously injured men and women from the scene in the heart of the city.
The Associated Press news agency reported that an eight-year-old boy was among the dead. Of the 144 reported injured, 17 are critical.
Massachusetts General Hospital said "several amputations" were performed on survivors.
More than 25,000 people were registered as taking part in the race, 374 of whom were British. There were also 108 Irish athletes.
There have been no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack, the most serious in the US since the 9/11 World Trade Centre atrocity. Al Qaeda-linked groups and militant white extremists have attacked targets in America in the past.
An injured runner is helped away from the blast site The Pakistani Taliban, who have previously threatened attacks in the US, have denied any involvement.
Barack Obama vowed to find and punish those responsible, as a senior White House official said the attacks were being treated as an act of terrorism.
Mr Obama avoided using the words "terror" or "terrorism", saying officials "still do not know who did this or why".
But he vowed: "We will find out who did this. We'll find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups, will feel the full weight of justice."
Bill Bratton, a former head of Boston police who is now based in London, said: "Unfortunately in my country there are no shortage of potential suspects, if you will."
The marathon is held every year on Patriots' Day, a Massachusetts state holiday which commemorates the first battles of the American Revolution in 1775.
The explosions happened on Boylston Street, four hours into the race and about two hours after the men's winner had crossed the line, as amateur runners were reaching the finish.
More than 17,000 competitors had completed the race by the time the blasts struck.
The blasts struck close to the finish line in central Boston TV helicopter footage showed blood on the ground and the desperate efforts of rescuers in the popular shopping and tourist area known as the Back Bay.
A woman near the second bomb, Brighid Wall, 35, said people had frozen, unsure of what to do.
Her husband threw their children to the ground, lay on top of them and another man lay on top of them and said, "Don't get up, don't get up."
She said she saw six to eight people bleeding profusely, including one man who was kneeling, dazed, with blood coming down his head. Another person was on the ground covered in blood and not moving.
"My ears are zinging. Their ears are zinging. It was so forceful. It knocked us to the ground," she said.
Runner Tim Davey, from Virginia, was with wife Lisa and their children in a medical tent set up for exhausted runners. "They just started bringing people in with no limbs," he said.
Roupen Bastajian, 35, a state police officer from Rhode Island, had just finished the race when he heard the blasts.
"I started running toward the blast. And there were people all over the floor," he said. "We started grabbing tourniquets and started tying legs.
"A lot of people amputated. ... At least 25 to 30 people have at least one leg missing, or an ankle missing, or two legs missing."
A senior US intelligence official said another two unexploded bombs were found and disarmed near the end of the 26.2mile (42km).
Windows in buildings nearby shattered into the streets There were reports of a third blast at the JFK library a few miles away but that was later confirmed as a fire that was believed to be unrelated to the blasts.
No one has been arrested, although officers searched an apartment in the Boston suburb of Revere as part of the investigation.
A no-fly zone was also put in place over the city as security was tightened and flights bound for Boston's Logan International Airport were briefly held up at other airports.
At the White House, the Secret Service expanded its security perimeter as a precaution.
One British runner, Anthony Meenaghan, said he was "safe and well" but added "can't believe what I saw and heard".
Mr Meenaghan, 21, is an architectural technology student from Sheffield Hallam University who is on a work placement in Boston.
He was running with his father, who is also called Anthony.
He tweeted: "Thanks for all messages. I'm safe and well. Can't believe what I saw and heard. Sad day."
A bomb squad officer inspects a bag along the route Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said the authorities had received "no specific intelligence that anything was going to happen".
At Massachusetts General Hospital, Alisdair Conn, chief of emergency services, said: "This is something I've never seen in my 25 years here ... this amount of carnage in the civilian population. This is what we expect from war."
British police are now reviewing security plans for this Sunday's London Marathon - the next major international marathon.
The London race's chief executive, Nick Bitel, said it was "a very sad day for athletics and for our friends in marathon running".
Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on Twitter: "The scenes from Boston are shocking and horrific - my thoughts are with all those who have been affected."
Boston Police said there is a helpline in the US for concerned relatives: 617 635 4500, and anybody with information about the blasts should call 1 800 494 tips.
The UK consulate in Boston said British Nationals in need of emergency consular assistance should call the Global Response Centre on 1 877 854 6872.
A full military rehearsal for Baroness Thatcher's funeral procession has taken place in the early hours of this morning.
Timed to last 19 minutes, Wednesday's ceremonial service will involve more than 700 serving Armed Forces personnel and see Lady Thatcher's coffin carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage from St Clement Danes, the church of the Royal Air Force, down the Strand on Wednesday morning.
Led by the Band of the Royal Marines, the solemn procession will then slowly travel along Fleet Street towards St Paul's where around 2,000 mourners are expected to attend the service.
Major Andrew Chatburn, the man in charge of choreographing the parade, said the rehearsal "went very well" and claimed it was "vitally important" to stage a trial of the event.
He said the atmosphere of the thousands of people expected to line the streets could obviously not be replicated, but added those involved, including the horses, were used to big occasions with large crowds.
"We'll have a debriefing and we'll take the points from that. We'll address whatever we have to address. If it's additional rehearsals in barracks we'll conduct those rehearsals and we'll get it right on the day," he added.
The band played the funeral marches of Chopin, Beethoven and Mendelssohn as it made its way along the deserted streets.
The military and police wore their working dress and high visibility clothes respectively, but will be in ceremonial uniform on the day.
The pensioners from Royal Hospital Chelsea did not take part today due to the early start, but they will line the west steps of St Paul's for the real event.
A Union-flag draped coffin carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage Lady Thatcher said she did not want a state funeral, but she has been given the next highest honour: a ceremonial funeral with full military honours tailored to her.
With all the the pageantry of a state funeral, it is set to be the largest in Britain since the Queen Mother's.
Downing Street has refused to give details about the cost until after the ceremony but it is expected to run into several million.
The rehearsal came after a poll by ComRes found that only 25% of people think the event should be funded form the public purse and that 60% are against the idea.
But the Government has defended the plans for the lavish ceremonial service.
Tory Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude, one of the organisers, insisted it had to be a "fitting event for a very great lady".
He told Sky News on Sunday that the ceremony would be a "fitting send-off" and argued that the involvement of the armed forces was "not over the top in any way".
Some 700 serving members of the armed forces took part in the trial run Speaking on the Murnaghan show, he said: "Of course, with any funeral of any former prime minister the state inevitably plays a big role.
"Normally there would be a funeral followed by a memorial service. She was very adamant that she didn't want that, she wanted a single service. So this needs to be a fitting event for a very great lady."
Amid fears protests could mar the funeral next week, Mr Maude also urged critics of Lady Thatcher to be respectful.
"It is a free country. People must be free to express their views," he said, but added: "I would simply ask that they respect the wishes of the mourners for this event to take place in a dignified way."
Sky's events commentator Alastair Bruce, who watched the rehearsal, said Lady Thatcher "would have wanted to see democracy in action" and that organisers were hoping the protests would not offend mourners or affect the procession.
"The ceremonial has been worked on very hard by the armed forces, and they are doing their very best to represent the United Kingdom. They will want to deliver that duty without interruption," he said.
George Galloway will attempt to block PMQs delay so MPs can attend funeral Meanwhile, Respect MP George Galloway will attempt to scupper plans to cancel Wednesday's Prime Minister's Questions so that MPs can attend the funeral.
He has said he will try to block a Government motion dropping Commons questions and delaying the start of business to 2.30pm, after the funeral has taken place.
Ministers had hoped the motion, tabled by the Leader of the House Andrew Lansley, would go through "on the nod" at the end of Commons business tonight.
Last night, police charged a series of demonstrators at London's Trafalgar Square who were protesting against Baroness Thatcher's legacy and who marked her death with a party.
Scotland Yard said nine suspects had been charged with various offences including assaulting police, affray and drunk and disorderly, and would appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on various dates in the next few weeks.
Venezuelan electoral officials say voters have chosen Hugo Chavez's hand-picked successor Nicolas Maduro as their new president in a tightly-fought contest.
His challenger, Henrique Capriles, declared that he would not accept the results and called for a full recount.
Mr Maduro campaigned on a promise to carry on the late president's self-styled socialist revolution, while his rival claimed the late president's regime has put Venezuela on the road to ruin.
Officials say Mr Maduro beat two-time challenger Mr Capriles by just 300,000 votes. The margin was 50.8% to 49.1%.
Addressing a crowd from the presidential palace, Mr Maduro called his victory further proof that Mr Chavez "continues to be invincible, that he continues to win battles".
He said that Mr Capriles had called him before the results were announced to suggest a "pact" but he had refused.
At the opposition candidate's headquarters, people hung their heads quietly as the results were announced.
Henrique Capriles demands a recount Mr Capriles emerged later, saying his campaign's tally of votes came up with "a result that is different from the results announced today".
"It is the government that has been defeated. The biggest loser today is you. The people don't love you," he said directly addressing Mr Maduro.
Turnout was 78%, down from just over 80% in the October election that Mr Chavez won by a margin of almost 11 points.
National Electoral Council president Tibisay Lucena told a news conference: "These are the irreversible results that the people have decided."
In a hint of discontent within Chavista ranks, National Assembly president Diosdado Cabello, who many consider Mr Maduro's main rival, expressed dismay at the tight outcome.
He tweeted: "The results oblige us to make a profound self-criticism. It's contradictory that the poor sectors of the population vote for their longtime exploiters."
Maduro supporters celebrate his victory Mr Maduro, a foreign minister to Mr Chavez, rode a wave of grief for the late leader, who ruled Venezuela for 14 years with a socialist revolution that made him popular among the poor while alienating others critical of the weak economy.
Mr Maduro has vowed to continue the oil-funded policies that cut poverty by almost half to 29% through popular health, education and food programmes.
But he also inherits a litany of problems left behind by his mentor: South America's highest murder rate, with 16,000 people killed last year, chronic food shortages, high inflation and recurring power cuts.
Opinion polls had given Mr Maduro leads of 10 to 20 points during the campaign, but Mr Capriles energised the opposition and closed the gap.
"This is a very important victory for the future of the country. This is the legacy of our comandante, who is no longer here. But he left us Maduro and he will defend his project," said one Maduro supporter, Rafael Perez Camarero.
Police have arrested 11 people after violence broke out among Millwall fans during the FA Cup semi-final against Wigan.
During the second half of their 2-0 loss to Wigan on Saturday, around 20 Millwall fans began fighting with each other behind the goal at Wembley Stadium.
The disturbing scenes, which were witnessed by millions on television, left some fans bloodied and youngsters in tears.
Skirmishes began towards the end of the game A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "Ten people have been arrested following sporadic disorder among fans in the Millwall supporters' area at Wembley.
"Investigations into the circumstances of the incidents are continuing."
Some fans were left bloodied by the violence Alex Horne, general secretary of the FA, said: "The Metropolitan Police and the FA are investigating scenes of sporadic violence and disorder in the Millwall FC end at the FA Cup semi-final.
"The FA and Wembley Stadium will work with police and representatives of Millwall FC to review all events.
Millwall promised to ban those involved "We will look to ensure those involved are identified and we would call for criminal charges and a football banning order to be brought against them.
"The FA deplores the scenes which have taken place, which are unacceptable. Everything will be done to take action against those involved."
Millwall have long had an unwanted reputation for hooliganism and Saturday's scenes were a throwback to the 1980s.
It is unclear what sparked the clashes The club's chief executive Andy Ambler said it would do all it could to find those responsible.
"Our position is clear. Anyone associated with our club found guilty of violent behaviour will be banned indefinitely from Millwall matches in addition to any punishment they receive from the authorities," he said.
"Having worked so hard to show the positive side of our club both on and off the field, we cannot allow the actions of a mindless minority to undermine that.
The match ended 2-0 to Wigan Athletic "At this stage we are still in the process of establishing the full details of what happened in a section of the ground during the second half.
"When we have those facts at our disposal and the police have completed their investigations we may be in a position to comment further."
Millwall chairman John Berylson, who flew in from the United States for the game, said: "There are always a few idiots. That's not our fan-base and we don't even know who those people are. We will be investigating."
Police moved in after the violence started And the team's captain Danny Shittu added: "Today was meant to be a good day out at Wembley. I'm disappointed by it.
"It's sad to hear about these things happening on a day like today. Things like that shouldn't be going on, It should be a great day for both sides."
Wigan's chairman Dave Whelan, whose team will face Manchester City or Chelsea in the final next month, said he was appalled by what he saw.
Millwall fans were condemned for the fighting "I can't understand why the Millwall fans would fight each other," he told the BBC.
"I understand if they want to fall out with the visiting team, but why would they fall out amongst themselves? It just gives football a very, very poor reputation."
"We know Millwall are a tough club, their team's tough to play, the supporters are Millwall Millwall Millwall... straight through. But don't fight each other."
Lavish plans for Baroness Thatcher's funeral have been revealed as a new poll shows more than half the British public oppose using taxpayers' money to pay for it.
Lady Thatcher said she did not want a state funeral, but she has been given the next highest honour: a ceremonial funeral with full military honours tailored to her.
With all the the pageantry of a state funeral, Wednesday's service is set to be the largest in Britain since the Queen Mother's, bringing to the fore the issue of who will pay.
While her estate will make a contribution, Downing Street has refused to give details about how much the service will cost the taxpayer, saying this will be revealed after the funeral.
But a ComRes survey for the Independent on Sunday and the Sunday Mirror has found that only 25% of people think it should be funded by the public purse - compared to 60% who are against the idea.
The survey also showed that one in three people think she was Britain's greatest peacetime prime minister - although 41% of people disagreed.
Lady Thatcher at a Royal Hospital Chelsea event in 2008 Labour's former deputy prime minister John Prescott angrily denounced the cost in his column for the Sunday Mirror.
"Thatcher split this country, North and South, the haves and have nots, 'one of us' or 'the enemy within'. This country paid enough thanks to that woman. So why the hell should we continue to pay now she's dead?," he wrote.
"Privatise her funeral. It would be a fitting tribute," he added.
David Cameron and William Hague both defended using taxpayers' money last week, insisting it would be wrong not to mark Lady Thatcher's huge contribution to the nation.
The Foreign Secretary said: "The rebate she negotiated for this country from the EU has brought us so far £75 billion - which is twice the size of our annual defence budget.
David Cameron will do a Bible reading at the funeral "I think that puts money in perspective ... so I think we can afford to contribute to a funeral."
The poll comes as the Government released the Order of Service for the funeral at St Paul's Cathedral on Wednesday.
Lady Thatcher's coffin will be carried through the streets of London on a gun carriage, allowing the public to pay their respects as the funeral cortege passes by.
It is the same honour bestowed on Diana, the Queen Mother and Winston Churchill.
Then there will be a single bell will toll as the funeral cortege draws up to St Paul's, and 14 Chelsea pensioners will line the steps as the coffin is taken into the cathedral.
The presence of the pensioners - the oldest aged 90 - is aimed at reflecting the strong connection Lady Thatcher built up with the Royal Hospital Chelsea over the last 10 years.
In front of the coffin, Michael and Amanda Thatcher, grandchildren of the former prime minister, will carry cushions bearing the insignia of the Order of the Garter and the Order of Merit and lay them on the Dome Altar.
The service, attended by the Queen, will be "framed" by British music, with traditional pieces by great British composers played at the beginning and at the end.
Lady Thatcher's love of poetry will be reflected in her choice of TS Eliot's Little Gidding, which will be printed on the opening page of the Order of Service and William Wordsworth's Ode: Intimations of Immortality on the final page.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Amanda Thatcher will deliver the readings from the King James Bible - of which she was particularly fond.
It was confirmed that the hymns will be He Who Would Valiant Be, Love Divine, All Loves Excelling, Psalm 84 set to the music of Johannes Brahms, and the patriotic verse I Vow To Thee My Country.
The funeral address will be delivered by the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev Richard Chartres.
The military procession leading to the service will feature more than 700 serving Armed Forces personnel from units particularly associated with the Falklands War, including some from the Welsh Guards, the regiment that suffered some of the heaviest losses.
Plans are also developing for Lady Thatcher's legacy to be enshrined in the creation of a major new institution to promote her political philosophy and shape future Tory politics.
Supporters of the former leader are working on a Margaret Thatcher library for London as a lasting memorial.
Backers also aim to raise £15m in private funds to establish the combined library, museum and training centre.
It is planned that visitors will be able to view key artefacts from her time in office, such as her trademark blue Aquascutum suits and handbags.
:: ComRes interviewed 2,012 Great Britain adults online on April 10 and 11.
The Government has hit back at claims it is to blame for the latest measles outbreak - now the largest the UK has seen for more than a decade.
Andrew Wakefield, the former doctor who caused the MMR scare 15 years ago by linking the vaccine with autism, said ministers were putting the importance of their vaccination programme above the welfare of children.
He told The Independent that the "British Government is entirely culpable" for the outbreak and accused ministers of "putting price before children's health".
But a Department for Health spokesman refuted his claims, insisting that "Dr Andrew Wakefield's claims are completely incorrect".
"Immunisation advice from the Department has always kept the interests of patients paramount. Measles is a highly infectious and harmful disease," he added.
"If your child has not had two doses of MMR, whatever their age, we urge you to contact your GP surgery and make an appointment."
It comes as more emergency measles clinics are being opened this weekend after the number of cases across the UK has risen to more than 970.
The outbreak is the biggest the UK has seen for more than 10 years, exceeding the 622 cases recorded in Merseyside in 2012.
Health officials have confirmed 693 cases in South Wales, 210 in the North East and 75 in Gloucestershire.
Disgraced doctor Andrew Wakefield blames the Government for the outbreak They have warned the outbreak is unlikely to peak for "two to three" weeks because of the incubation period for the disease, and fear it could spread further as children go back to school following the Easter break.
The escalation in cases has prompted health bosses to renew their plea for unvaccinated people to get their MMR jabs immediately.
Marion Lyons, director health protection at Public Health Wales, said at least 6,000 children remain unvaccinated in the south west Wales county.
"With measles cases at almost 700, with 73 of those reported in the last two days alone, we remain extremely concerned that this outbreak is showing no signs of going away," she said.
"We are delighted to see parents starting to arrange vaccination for their children but the numbers simply aren't high enough to bring the outbreak under control when 6,000 children remain at risk from measles in the Swansea area alone."
Before the introduction of the MMR jab in 1988, about half a million children caught measles each year in the UK. Approximately 100 of those died.
Typical symptoms of measles include fever, cough, conjunctivitis and a rash.
Complications are quite common even in healthy people, and about 20% of reported measles cases experience one or more complications. These can include ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea, pneumonia, meningitis and serious eye disorders.
The latest round of emergency vaccination sessions will be held between 10am and 4pm at Swansea's Morriston and Singleton hospitals, as well as The Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend and the Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
More information about the sessions can be found at Public Health Wales.
