Image caption Thousands have died, and many thousands more rescued, trying to cross the Mediterranean

Hundreds of people are feared dead after two boats carrying up to 500 migrants capsized off the Libyan city of Zuwara, residents and officials say.

The first boat, which signalled for help early on Thursday, had nearly 50 people on board.
The second overcrowded boat, which sank much later, had about 400 passengers.
Officials said about 201 people had been rescued by the Libyan coast guard but many people appeared trapped in the hold when the boat capsized.
A detention facility for illegal migrants in Sabratha, west of Tripoli, received 147 people, an official told Reuters.
At least 100 bodies were taken to a hospital in Zuwara, west of Tripoli, a resident told the BBC.
The victims included migrants from Syria, Bangladesh and several sub-Saharan African countries, the resident said, but the information could not be independently verified.
About 2,400 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, the UN says.
More than 100,000 others have landed in Italy, whilst another 160,000 have crossed to Greece.
On Wednesday, the bodies of at least 51 people were found in the hold of a stricken ship off Libya's coast.
They were picked up by a Swedish coastguard ship that also rescued more than 400 survivors - among at least 3,000 migrants saved that day.
The Swedish ship, Poseidon, docked in the port of Palermo, Sicily, on Thursday.

SOURCE : BBC NEWS

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Stones considering moving house after abuse from Everton fans as club reject transfer request from £38m Chelsea target

Everton reject John Stones' transfer request as defender pushes for Chelsea move

John Stones is considering moving house after receiving threats from Everton fans. He was abused by travelling supporters after his side's Capital One Cup win at Barnsley on Wednesday night - the first time he has returned to his former club since he left in 2013. He was in the starting line-up for the 5-3 extra-time win but was heckled off the Oakwell pitch by some of the away support. Footage from the stands showed one fan shouting: 'F*** off Stones, you f****** rat

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL

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Lionel Messi crowned UEFA Best Player in Europe as Barcelona star tops vote ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez

Lionel Messi topped the live vote by a panel of journalists on Thursday
The Barcelona star beat Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez to the award
Messi scored 58 goals and provided 31 assists last season
Germany's Celia Sasic was crowned UEFA Best Women Player in Europe

Lionel Messi added another individual trophy to his collection on Thursday as he was voted UEFA's Best Player in Europe for last season.

The Barcelona star beat Luis Suarez, his teammate at the Champions League winner, and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in a Europe-wide poll of journalists.

Messi, the four-time FIFA world player of the year, got the UEFA honor after a season-long duel with Ronaldo for the Champions League scoring record. Both resume this season on 77 goals.

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