27/04/2014 BBC Weekend News

European military observers held in Eastern Ukraine by pro-Russian

separatists are paraded before the media. One of the group has been

released tonight, as diplomatic efforts continue to free the

remaining seven. More details emerge about the five

British servicemen who were killed in a helicopter crash in

Afghanistan. Our focus for the immediate future is to ensure that

the families receive the support they need at this most difficult of

times. they need at this most difficult of

Pope Francis declares two of his predecessors saints in an historic

ceremony at the Vatican. And a slip from Gerard throws the

title race wide open, as Chelsea beat Liverpool at Anfield.

Good Evening. Negotiations are continuing for the

release of European military observers being held by pro-Russian

separatists in Eastern Ukraine. The eight observers appeared in public

for the first time under armed guard in Slaviansk. One has been released

tonight, apparently on health grounds. Meanwhile the foreign

secretary, William Hague, said new sanctions against Russia for its

"bullying" behaviour will go ahead. Our correspondent Steve Rosenberg

reports from Donetsk. In Sloviansk today, pro-Russian

militia paraded their most high-profile hostages, the military

observers from Europe who were abducted on Friday. The hostages

were nervous as they entered the town hall, and exhausted after two

days held captive in Ukraine's most dangerous town. We have no

indication when we will be sent home to our countries and to see our

families. The militants who seized them have called them NATO spies but

they deny that. The Vienna document diplomats come to the nation without

arms. We are not fighters. We are diplomats in uniform. Later, one of

the observers was released on medical grounds. Talks are

continuing to try and free the whole team. Earlier, the pro-Russian

militia took more hostages. These are Ukrainian special forces

officers, accused of planning and operation against the militants. The

West has denounced the hostagetaking. It accuses Russia of

escalating tension in eastern Ukraine and of orchestrating the

separatist movement here. Fresh economic sanctions are coming.

Britain believes they will bite. Already we have seen capital out of

Russia this year and serious. The Russian stock market, so no one

should estimate the impact on Russia and Russia's own interests have

continued the escalation of this crisis. The TV station Internet has

now been seized so it can be replaced with Russian television.

Attempts to seize strategically important buildings like this one

and the kidnap of hostages, it all increases the pressure on Kiev and

complicated efforts to crack down on pro-Russian militants. It means so

far Kiev is failing to restore control.

The Ministry of Defence says the site where a Lynx helicopter crashed

in Afghanistan yesterday, killing five British servicemen, has been

secured and an investigation is being carried out. Three were from

the Army Air Corps, one was an RAF serviceman, and another a reservist

with the Army Intelligence Corps. The MoD said the crash in Kandahar

Province was a tragic accident. Our defence correspondent, Caroline

Wyatt reports. The flag at RAF Odiham today flew at

half-mast against a leaden sky. At the service men's base, a sense of

great shock and deep sadness. Our heartfelt condolences go out the

families at this most difficult time. The investigation into this

accident is ongoing, but this is not the time now speculation or comment.

Our focus for the immediate future is to ensure that the families

receive the support they need at this most difficult of times. Lynx

helicopters have been vital throughout the conflict in

Afghanistan. This is footage from Helmand last summer. The gunner

constantly on the lookout for threats below. The pilot and

co-pilot in front, their skills honed by long years of training. The

Lynx helicopter has been in service for 40 years and it has been used in

a variety of roles by the army and Royal Navy. The helicopter which

crashed would have been armed with a heavy machine gun. It has a good

safety record. The last fatal military crash was a Royal Navy Lynx

helicopter in 2004. The Ministry of Defence is certain it was not enemy

action. You could be looking at a technical problem, a malfunction,

environmental conditions or pilot error. At this stage it is far too

early to say. All I would say is Afghanistan is regarded as being an

incredibly hostile environment for helicopter flying. The tragedy has

brought tributes from the Prime Minister and many others. David

Cameron said it brought home the sacrifices made by the UK's Armed

Forces in Afghanistan. The law here is to be changed to

make it illegal to download information about how to groom

children for abuse. The Prime Minister has said the new offence

will close a legal loophole which currently allows paedophiles to

write and distribute such material. Two of the most influential popes of

the 20th century have been made saints at a ceremony in the Vatican.

In front of hundreds of thousands of people in St Peter's Square, John

the 23rd and John Paul the II, were canonised by the current Pope,

Francis. This report from our Religious Affairs correspondent,

Robert Pigott, who's at the Vatican .it does contain some flash

photography. It was joyful, Solomon, spectacular

and humble, the moment when the Pope declared two of its own had entered

heaven as Saints. The canonisation took place in the presence of bodily

relics of the two men. A vial of blood from John Paul II and a sliver

of skin from John XXIII. A greeting from Pope Benedict XVI. Never before

have two living popes overseen the making of saints. In Latin, Pope

Francis recited the formula by which mortal men were recognised as in

mortal. We declare and define message on the 23rd and John Paul II

to be saints, and we enrolled among the saints, decreeing that they will

be venerated as such by the whole church.

Almost a million came to witness this unprecedented event, packing St

Peter's Square, the broad boulevard before it and the banks of the River

Tiber beyond. Many were from Poland, a renewed up welling in

pride and affection for Pope John Paul II. His canonisation coming

nine years after his death is the quickest ever. Some who questioned

his handling of sex abuse say it happened too soon. Many others say

he, just like Pope John, lived a holy life. John Paul travelled the

world as the Church's charismatic Evangelist, giving Catholics renewed

confidence. John XXIII in or grated the second Vatican Council which

brought far-reaching reform to the church. Veteran churchmen say

together they helped shape Catholicism as it is today. Pope

John, only five years but he conquered the world, if you like.

Good Pope John. John Paul came over to me as a free man. Here I am, with

my background, I am a Polish priest, Bishop, now Pope, and this is what I

stand for. It was a very powerful one. It was Pope Francis who decided

to balance the canonisation of the traditionalist John Paul the

reforming Pope John. Both he says are models for the papacy and for a

united church. Climbers are returning from Mount

Everest base camp in Nepal, after Sherpa guides cancelled all climbing

this year - in memory of the 16 Sherpas who died in an avalanche

nine days ago. One survivor, who witnessed his colleagues die under

the ice, has told the BBC he will never return to the mountain. Our

correspondent Yogita Limaye sent this report from Kathmandu.

A wall of ice which swept away everything in its path. It struck

just as Nepal's Sherpa guides were preparing the route for this year's

climbing season. It is the worst tragedy this mountain has ever seen.

The ultimate summit for any climate, hundreds tried to scale its icy

slopes every year and it is the Sherpas they depend on to lead the

way. This man was buried under the snow for three hours before he was

rescued. Out of danger, still in shock. He said he has seen his

fellow guides die around him. TRANSLATION: The ice fell on us, it

was so scary. This is my last climb. I will never go up Everest

again. In memory of those who died, most of the other guides have

decided that this year, they will not make the climb. Groups have been

returning from the mountain's base camp. This man was one who came

back. Three years ago I was in a big skiing accident. I could not even

walk up a flight of stairs. Here I am now taking on Everest so I was

very much looking forward to it and then to find that this was closed,

it was an emotional thing for me. For a country which depends heavily

on tourism, this is a loss in many ways. The climbing season for Mount

Everest seems like it is over this year. While many of the climbers

might hope to return another year, this tragedy means that the

Sherpas' lives have been changed forever. This woman was the wife of

one of those. She has an 11-month-old baby girl. She is the

mother and father now she tells me. I have to take care of her, she is

completely hopeless, I want the government to give me a job, she

says. It will be hard for her to look back at the Mountains which

once gave her life which have now taken away so much.

With all the big sports news - here's Lizzie Greenwood-Hughes at

the BBC Sport Centre. Good evening. The Premier League title-race is

wide open after Liverpool lost 2-0 to Chelsea and Manchester City beat

Crystal Palace by the same scoreline today. Liverpool are still league

leaders, but with Chelsea and City breathing down their necks - their

ambitions of a first title in 24 years have been dented. Andy Swiss

watched the action. They began with deafening optimism,

but for Liverpool fans, this was a day the title race took a painful

twist. Their team began well against a weakened Chelsea, but in first

half stoppage time, a calamity. A stumble from Steven Gerard, of all

people, allowing Demba Ba to lead the visitors ahead. After the break,

Liverpool tried to find their fluency, but Chelsea and their

41-year-old keeper stood firm. In injury time, with the entire

Liverpool defence in attack, Chelsea had the victory. Another

chest-thumping win for Chelsea. ForLiverpool, the destiny of the

title was now out of their hands. For Manchester City, they had the

initiative as long as they could win their remaining matches. Against

Crystal Palace, they made the perfect start, Edin Dzeko putting

them in front. If that was good, what followed was even better. Yaya

Toure with an amazing run and a masterful finish. City were in

cruise control. After the break, they could not find a third but they

did not lead to. In two hours they had gone from title underdogs to

title favourites on an emotional, dramatic and potentially season

defining day. At the other end of the table

Sunderland are out of the relegation zone. Conor Wickham scoring twice in

their 4-nil victory over Cardiff, who had a man sent-off. It's

Wickham's fifth goal in three games. Cardiff are now bottom of the table.

There were two Scottish Premiership matches today. Champions Celtic

thrashed Inverness Caledonian Thistle 6-0. And the Edinburgh derby

was won by Hearts - who are already down. Callum Paterson scoring twice

in their 2-1 victory at Easter Road. The result leaves Hibernian just a

point off the relegation play-off position.

Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon side will play Saracens in the final of Rugby

Union's Heineken Cup. The defending champions beat Munster 24-16 in

Marseille this afternoon, 21 of those points kicked by England's

World Cup winner, Wilkinson with six penalties and a drop goal. The final

is on 24th May at the Millenium Stadium. Well Europe's other

competition - The Amlin Challenge Cup final is on the same weekend in

Cardiff and it'll between Bath and Northampton after two tries from Rob

Webber helped Bath beat Wasps 24-18 today. And that is the sport, back

to you. There's more throughout the evening on the BBC News Channel. I'm

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