Two rebel groups that seized control of the northern half of Mali have agreed to work together to create an independent Islamic state on the territory they occupy.

The Fiction Uncovered prize is an unusual one, in that it selects eight titles instead of one winner each year. Its remit is quite simple: to “uncover and celebrate our best British writers”.

Ride the rapids of the spectacular Tara Canyon in Montenegro on an adventure holiday that also features hiking along the Bay of Kotor.

If national characteristics are reflected in various aspects of a country's football, differing English and Irish attitudes have tended to conform to stereotype when on the road. Whether in South Africa or St Albans, England shut themselves away in a luxurious hotel, country club or castle with security on the door, and only recently opted for a central location in Krakow – albeit in a country where they are not playing and in a city where no football is actually taking place.

Is Hertfordshire the most patriotic place in the country?

When you sit down to dine at at tearoom containing items from one of the largest collections of Royal memorabilia in the world, you probably shouldn't be surprised to be asked to stand for the national anthem. However three disgruntled customers did just that and fell foul of the proprietor.

Genre of football writing grows in credibility with crowning of A Life Too Short as book of the year

At least 96 soldiers have been killed in a huge suicide bomb blast during a rehearsal for a military parade in Yemen, Interior Ministry officials said.

Wade in

A new piece of street art bearing all the hallmarks of a Banksy (pictured, above) appeared overnight in north London.

It saddens me to see that the 250th anniversary of the sandwich has been sullied by a repeat of an old libel against a hard-working public servant. The British Sandwich Association is to blame.

A glittering cast has been assembled for Cannes, take 65 – no wonder the world's most prestigious film festival is feeling bullish

The Wigan coach, Shaun Wane, said that St Helens will go into today's Challenge Cup quarter-final at the DW Stadium "underdone".