England’s hopes of reaching the World Cup finals in Brazil next year were boosted last night when group leaders Montenegro were thrashed 4-0 at home in a bad-tempered game by Ukraine.

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Scotland's Robert Snodgrass celebrates with his teammate Leigh Griffiths after scoring

Croatia 0 Scotland 1 match report: Scots on high after shock win but boss wants more after World Cup qualifying victory

Scotland manager Gordon Strachan masterminded a famous victory over Croatia on Friday then admitted his side could still do better.

Craig Bellamy celebrates Cardiff's promotion to the Premier League

Craig Bellamy set to retire from international duty with Wales

The Cardiff City striker admits he's unlikely to be around after current qualification process

Welsh Road Trips includes the hire of a two-seat electric car

Summer Guide 2013: Roads

Set a gentle pace on the highways of Mid-Wales in an electric car with Welsh Road Trips (welshroadtrips.com), an initiative by three hotels in the Green Tourism Business Scheme. Guests are given directions between the three properties, with two nights' B&B provided at each establishment – Lasswade Country House in Llanwrtyd Wells, The Old Vicarage Dolfor near Newtown, and Westview Guesthouse in Llowes. Price £595pp, including hire of a two-seat electric car.

The planned development

The Croatians who want to stop golf's Great White Shark eating their coastline

The last time Croatians voted in a referendum it was to decide whether – 21 years after the country broke away from Yugoslavia and declared independence – it should join the European Union.

England manager Roy Hodgson

England slip to seventh in Fifa world rankings

Draw with Montenegro sees Portugal and Croatia go ahead

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: What are our options if we want to fly from Liverpool to Naples?

Q. For the last 25 years I have been holidaying with my University mates, plus kids and now grandkids. The adults are going to the Naples area in late October for four days.

The six adults from the South had to book the planes quickly as the BA flights were going fast. We saw that easyJet flew from Liverpool, but they have not released the flights yet, any idea when they will?

Or any ideas how the Northern lot (Stafford and Liverpool) can get there - as at this rate it will be just the Southern lot going on their own for the first year for 25 years.

Bev Keech

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Can I visit the US with only six months remaining on my passport?

Q. I am going to the US in late June. My current passport is valid until mid-December. Will it be OK to use this passport or should I get a new one?

Mike Truss

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Jabs for India's Golden Triangle

Q. I would like to know what jabs I should have for travelling to India in November 2013. It is a tour of the "Golden Triangle".

Marian Ivory

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Flights from Detroit to the UK

Q. Do you know of any airline that flies direct to Detroit from the UK? Who, and from where, please?

Jenni Willows

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Recommendations for Perth

Q. Any recommendations for staying in Perth this month? I had an apartment booked in the Fremantle but the owner has just cancelled my booking. My young family and I are staying in Perth only for 20 nights.

Edith Owusu

Get me out of here: Morocco, Croatian cruise, Barbados

Now... On 14 April, you could be embarking on an eight-day tour of Morocco. The Exodus group trip visits Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech and Essaouira. The £799 price includes Royal Air Maroc flights from Heathrow, hotels, transport and most meals. Exodus.co.uk

Simon Calder's Holiday Helpdesk: Advice for a Cyprus wedding

Q. We are about to pay £3,000 for a one-week all inclusive holiday in Cyprus for a family wedding. We are worried that with all the banking issues that we might pay five-star and get two-star because staff, suppliers and even the hotel have not been paid. Can you advise?

Claire Binmore

Silence of the past: Aminatta Forna

The Hired Man, By Aminatta Forna

A masterful novel by a gifted writer lays bare the secrets and scars of past conflicts

Andy Murray beat Marin Cilic in just under two hours

Andy Murray scorches into semi-finals as Cilic wilts in Miami heat

Andy Murray's form has sometimes run as hot-and-cold as the weather at the Miami Masters, but as the temperature rose in Florida today, so did the quality of the Scot's play. After an error-strewn first set in which both men struggled to find their rhythm, Murray played some of his best tennis of the week to beat Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3. In tomorrow's semi-finals, he faces the winner of last night's meeting between Tomas Berdych and Richard Gasquet.

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Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
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Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over
Hannah England: I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess

Hannah England: Keeping Track

I've got the right times – now to focus on the chess