Police searching for a teenager missing in Manchester since Saturday say they believe they have found his body.
Adam Pickup, 17, from Bramhall, Stockport, was last seen in the city centre at about 03:20 GMT.
Police searching for a teenager missing in Manchester since Saturday say they believe they have found his body.
Adam Pickup, 17, from Bramhall, Stockport, was last seen in the city centre at about 03:20 GMT.
Norman Lamb said some trusts focussed on urban areas in order to meet response time targets A health minister has said ambulance trusts are not giving enough attention to rural response times.
Norman Lamb, MP for North Norfolk highlighted the case of Peter Nelson, who waited nearly two hours for an ambulance and died in hospital from a haemorrhage.
The 26-year-old collapsed at his home in Blakeney, Norfolk, on 14 November.
Mr Lamb said response time targets should change as some trusts focused on urban areas in order to meet them.
He said he would raise the issue with NHS England. East of England Ambulance Trust refused to comment.
Mr Lamb said Mr Nelson's case was "all too familiar", adding: "We need to rethink these targets because they distort behaviour.
'Rural areas neglected'"I don't have a complete blueprint for the answer but I'm clear there is a massive risk that the current system is distorting clinical priorities and rural patients are suffering as a result."
He said he was due to meet Sir Bruce Keogh, who has carried out a review of emergency care, in the coming weeks.
He added: "It seems that if they meet the target for the whole of the east of England, it satisfies the government target but the danger is they focus on urban areas where they can easily hit the target and rural areas get neglected.
"I'm sure this isn't limited to the east and you can't have a system that allows rural areas to lose out while trusts apparently meet Whitehall targets."
Mr Nelson had arrived home from work with a headache and collapsed later that evening.
Emergency services were called at 23:15 GMT and a paramedic arrived within 15 minutes. The paramedic contacted the control room three times asking for the ambulance to arrive sooner, but it did not arrive until 01:00 GMT the next day, Mr Nelson's family said.
'Seriously wrong'Mr Nelson was eventually taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he died.
His father Sidney said: "He was an otherwise healthy young man. He just came home one night and it was obvious there was something seriously wrong."
The East of England Ambulance Trust has recently appointed a new chief executive after criticism that response times in the region were among the worst in the country.
Targets have been put in place for paramedics to reach the most urgent 999 calls within eight minutes and get a vehicle to patients within 19 minutes.
The ambulance service has not offered the family any explanation for the delay but has told them an investigation has been launched.
A spokesman refused to comment on an ongoing inquiry but clinical operations manager Duncan Moore wrote to the family acknowledging that it appeared to have been a "serious incident".
The ship became trapped on Christmas Eve, about 100 nautical miles from the French Antarctic station Dumont D'Urville Passengers and some crew on a ship stuck in thick ice in Antarctica are to be taken off by helicopter once the weather permits, Russian officials say.
News of the decision came after an Australian icebreaker making a fresh rescue attempt had to turn back.
The Russian-flagged research vessel Akademik Shokalskiy has been stuck in ice for nearly a week. It is carrying 74 scientists, tourists and crew.
The ship is stocked with food and is in no danger, the team on board says.
The third attempt to rescue the vessel - by Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis - failed early on Monday because of fierce winds and poor visibility.
Earlier attempts by Chinese and French icebreakers to reach the ship were also foiled by the thick ice.
The Shokalskiy was trapped on Christmas Eve by thick sheets of ice, driven by strong winds, about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart - the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania.
'Snow showers'"A decision has been reached to evacuate 52 passengers and four crew members by helicopter from China's Xue Long ship, should the weather allow," a Russian foreign ministry statement said on Monday.
Earlier the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said: "The area where the MV Akademik Shokalskiy is beset by ice is currently experiencing winds of up to 30 knots and snow showers."
A crew member on the ship has recorded a video diary
"These weather conditions have resulted in poor visibility and made it difficult and unsafe for the Aurora Australis to continue today's [Monday's] attempt to assist the MV Akademik Shokalskiy."
The BBC's Andrew Luck-Baker, who is on the Shokalskiy, said scientists on board thought the ice was much thicker than usual for this time of year.
The Chinese vessel, the Snow Dragon, came within seven nautical miles (11 km) of the Russian ship before stalling and being forced to return to the open sea.
The Akademik Shokalskiy is being used by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition to follow the route explorer Douglas Mawson travelled a century ago.
Despite being trapped, the scientists have continued their experiments, measuring temperature and salinity through cracks in the surrounding ice.
Those on board include 22 Russian crew. Passengers are of various nationalities, many of them Australian.
One of the leaders of the scientific expedition said via Skype that those on board were in good spirits and wanted their families and friends to know they were safe and well, AFP reported.
"It's Antarctica, we are just taking it one day at a time," said Chris Turney, professor of climate change at the University of New South Wales.
"The conditions are so extreme in Antarctica, you just never know. We are always hopeful."
A Chinese icebreaker failed to reach the Shokalskiy on Saturday 
The Shokalskiy is stocked with food and the passengers were in no danger, the team on board said 
Passengers could potentially be winched to safety by a helicopter when the weather improves 
The Shokalskiy is trapped about 1,500 nautical miles south of Hobart - the capital of the Australian state of Tasmania 
Former BBC correspondent Peter Greste is one of the journalists arrested Egyptian police have arrested four journalists working for the broadcaster Al-Jazeera in the capital, Cairo.
They include the TV network's Cairo bureau chief Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and former BBC correspondent Peter Greste.
The interior ministry said the journalists had held illegal meetings with the Muslim Brotherhood, which was declared a terrorist group last week.
There has been a crackdown on the Islamist movement since the army ousted President Mohammed Morsi in July.
Since then, more than 1,000 pro-Morsi protesters have been killed in clashes with security forces, and thousands of Brotherhood supporters have been arrested, including the majority of its leadership.
A court will hear a case to disband the Brotherhood's political wing, the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), on 15 February.
'Damaging'The journalists, who work for Al-Jazeera English, are understood to have been detained late on Sunday night.
They are Mohamed Fadel Fahmy, who holds Canadian nationality, Peter Greste, an Australian, producer Baher Mohamed and Egyptian cameraman Mohamed Fawzy, who is said to have been arrested at home.
Al-Jazeera journalist Abdullah al-Shami and cameraman Mohammad Badr have been detained in Cairo since the summer Al-Jazeera, which is based in Qatar, has demanded their immediate release.
The interior ministry said in a statement that cameras, recordings and other material had been seized from rooms at a hotel in Cairo.
It accused the journalists of broadcasting news that were "damaging to national security".
The BBC's Bethany Bell in Cairo says Egypt's military backed government has long accused Al-Jazeera of bias, because Qatar gave financial support to the government of Mr Morsi.
Observers say Egypt's media environment has been highly charged since Mr Morsi's overthrow.
Several Islamist channels were closed down immediately after the military intervention in the summer. Al-Jazeera's Egyptian station Mubashir Misr was shut down in September.
The channel previously had its Cairo offices raided, equipment seized, and staff detained. Two of its staff - journalist Abdullah al-Shami and cameraman Mohammad Badr - arrested in July and August remain in detention, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The latest arrests come after deadly clashes between police and Muslim Brotherhood supporters across Egypt.
On Friday, three people were killed - in Cairo, southern Minya province and the Nile Delta - during the violence.
Security forces detained some 265 Muslim Brotherhood supporters, officials said.
The Brotherhood was formally designated a terrorist group after the 24 December suicide bombing of a police headquarters in Nile Delta.
The government accused the movement of being behind the attack - a charge it strongly denied.
US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier called his Egyptian counterpart to express concern about the recent waves of arrests and called for an "inclusive political process".
The inquiry, led by Sir John Chilcot, has been running for nearly three years Progress is said to have been made in talks over the declassification of vital papers relating to the UK's involvement in the Iraq war.
The Chilcot Inquiry said last month it could not proceed further since key material, including notes between the then PM Tony Blair and US President George W Bush, had yet to be released.
But discussions since then have been more productive, the BBC understands.
The inquiry could now publish its report before the end of 2014.
The inquiry, chaired by Sir John Chilcot and which began in 2009, had hoped to have begun contacting those likely to be criticised in its report to allow them to respond - an important stepping stone to its final publication.
But this process has been held up pending discussions over the release of classified documents which the inquiry wishes to include in its report.
These include 200 cabinet-level discussions in the run-up to the 2003 invasion, 25 notes from Mr Blair to President Bush, and more than 130 records of conversations between Mr Blair or Gordon Brown and Mr Bush.
'Difficult material'Last month, Sir John wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron expressing his regret that no agreement had yet been reached over the publication of the most "difficult documents".
He said the next phase of its work was "dependent on the satisfactory completion of discussions" between the inquiry and the government on disclosure of material that the inquiry wishes to include in its report or publish alongside it.
The final decision over which documents can be released is being taken by Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood, Mr Cameron's most senior adviser.
The BBC understands "greater progress" has been made in the past six weeks, and Whitehall sources have confirmed they want the inquiry to be able to publish its report before the general election in May 2015.
'Legal issues'But Whitehall sources cautioned against suggestions in some newspapers that the documents would be made public within three months.
There were still outstanding "legal and diplomatic" issues to be resolved before a publication date could be announced, and in any case some material was likely to be redacted.
In a statement, the Cabinet Office said the process was continuing: "The government is currently engaged in discussions with the inquiry which the inquiry recognises raises difficult issues, including legal and international relations issues...
"These issues are being worked through in good faith and with a view to reaching a position as rapidly as possible."
The inquiry, which is examining the background to the UK's involvement in the 2003 invasion and its aftermath, has never set a firm deadline for publishing its final report - set to be about a million words long.
However, it is thought likely to want to publish by the end of 2014 or early 2015 at the latest, to avoid any conflict with the general election campaign.
Police are investigating the disappearance of Adam Pickup, 17, who failed to return home after a night out in Manchester city centre
Police searching for a 17-year-old boy who failed to return home after a night out with friends have released CCTV footage of his last sighting.
Adam Pickup, of Bramhall in Stockport, Greater Manchester, was last seen in Manchester city centre on Saturday.
Greater Manchester Police have been given until 03:00 GMT on Tuesday to question two men they are holding in connection with his disappearance.
Mr Pickup's father Chris said his son's disappearance was "out of character".
Police said the teenager left the Fab Cafe in Portland Street at about 03:20 GMT and was last seen on CCTV walking along Oxford Street 10 minutes later.
Police want to question a man and woman seen with Adam The newly-released footage shows Adam speaking to a man and woman as he walks along Oxford Road.
Supt John Berry said: "This couple may have vital information to help us find him."
The police search is centred on a 200m radius from Portland Street, taking in a canal, alleys and subways, added Ch Supt Neil Adderley at a later news conference.
Underwater search teams have searched the canal, which was partly drained, he said.
He also appealed to owners of premises that have been empty for the last few days to check them.
At 15:00 GMT, Ch Supt Adderley granted his officers an extra 12 hours to hold the arrested men. He said they would be using the time to put more questions to the men.
'Absolutely distraught'On Sunday, family and friends carried out a search near to the former BBC site in Oxford Road where Adam's mobile phone signal was last traced by police.
Mr Pickup said: "He goes out occasionally and enjoys himself like any teenager does.
"To not let us know where he is, is totally out of character for him.
"We are absolutely distraught at the moment," he added.
Adam is described as white, 6ft 2in tall, slim with mousey brown hair. He was wearing a maroon long-sleeved collared shirt, black jeans and black leather Nike trainers with white soles.
Border controls have been extended to the maximum period of seven years The UK has done all it can "within the law" to delay the lifting of work restrictions on Bulgarian and Romanian migrants, a top Conservative has said.
Party chairman Grant Shapps said the deadline for ending temporary controls had already been extended by two years and this could not be done again.
Tory activists say there is scope within EU law to retain controls until 2018 under exceptional circumstances.
And the UK Independence Party has said the UK's position is "total madness".
Bulgarians and Romanians gained the right to visa-free travel to the UK in 2007, when their countries joined the EU.
But since then, they have been able to work in the UK only if they are self-employed, have a job offer, or are filling specialist posts for which no British worker can be found.
These temporary restrictions come to an end on Wednesday, which has prompted warnings from Conservative activists of a "hugely disruptive and destabilising wave of mass immigration".
Ninety party members have written to David Cameron pressing him to use a clause in EU law - allowing countries to continue with border controls if they have "serious labour market disturbances" - to extend restrictions until 2018.
This comes on top of more than 60 MPs signing an amendment to the current immigration bill going through Parliament calling for a further five-year extension.
Mr Shapps said he had sympathy with those worried about the economic and social impact of future migration from Bulgaria and Romania, on top of that seen since Poland and nine other countries joined the EU in 2004.
But he said the "maximum" seven-year limit for transitional controls on migrants after their countries join the EU could not be extended under current arrangements.
"We are doing everything we can within the current law," he told Radio 4's World at One programme. "You can only act within the law. that is the basic principle of democracy."
Only by renegotiating the UK's membership of the EU, he suggested, could new rules be put in place in future to limit freedom of movement among citizens of existing and new EU members.
David Cameron has said the idea of freedom of movement within the EU, one of its most important principles, needs to be reconsidered as "massive" population shifts in the past decade have put pressure on countries across Europe.
Mr Shapps said: "Of course, this is why we want an EU in-out referendum so we can negotiate these things so these transitional controls can last longer in future.
"So for example, if you've got countries joining the EU in future where the standard of living is so incredibly different, then you are able to have much longer transitional controls or you don't allow people to travel until their countries and economies have come up to a certain level."
'Perplexing'The government is tightening the rules from 1 January to ensure that migrants cannot claim out-of-work benefits for three months after arriving and will only qualify for support after six months if they had a genuine chance of employment.
Overseas visitors and migrants are also to face new charges for some NHS services in England.
But in a letter, written by Conservative Grassroots chairman Robert Woollard, the activists say the government's position is "perplexing" and "politically untenable".
They warn that long-term youth unemployment is already among the highest in Europe and pressure on job markets from further migration could lead to "social unrest", with local authorities and public services unable to cope.
They say a "safeguard clause" written into the EU treaties "allows for the re-imposition of temporary restrictive measures in any member state if it is 'undergoing or foresees serious labour market disturbances'.
Extending the controls to 2018 would allow the UK economy the space and time to reverse the long-term high youth unemployment trend, they add.
Ministers have refused to predict how many migrants might arrive from Romania and Bulgaria.
With eight other EU countries - including France, Germany and Spain - lifting restrictions at the same time, they say such forecasts are difficult.
Romanian and Bulgarian officials have suggested they believe about 8,000 migrants will come every year for five years but campaigners for tighter laws have said the figure could be as high as 50,000.
And UKIP leader Nigel Farage told Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show that it was "total madness in two days' time to open up our borders to hundreds of thousands of new people from Bulgaria and Romania".
"I don't think we need or want any more immigration, by that I mean settlement, in Britain until we sort out the current mess," he said.
Oleg Boldyrev at the scene of the attack: 'Investigators are trying to determine the exact causes of the blast'
The International Olympic Committee president says he has confidence that Russian authorities will deliver "safe and secure" Games in Sochi.
Thomas Bach wrote to President Vladimir Putin to express condolences for the two deadly attacks that struck Volgograd within 24 hours.
Investigators say the attacks on a railway station and trolleybus, while killed at least 31 people, were linked.
They struck just over a month before the Winter Olympics begin in Sochi.
Volgograd was also targeted in October, when a suspected female suicide bomber killed six people in an attack on a bus.
The city is in the same broad geographical area as Sochi and the timing of these three attacks suggests they may be inspired by the Games, says the BBC's Moscow correspondent Daniel Sanford.
In a statement, Russia's foreign ministry did not blame any particular group but likened the attacks to acts by militants in the United States, Syria and elsewhere.
It called for international solidarity in the fight against "an insidious enemy that can only be defeated together", reported Reuters news agency.
Regional Governor Sergei Bozhenov said the bombings were a "serious test" for all Volgograd residents and all Russians.
Russians nervousInvestigators say at least 14 people were killed in a suicide bombing on a trolleybus in Volgograd on Monday morning.
It came a day after 17 people died in another suicide attack at the central station in the city. Scores were injured in the two attacks.
In his letter to Mr Putin, Mr Bach said he was "certain that everything will be done to ensure the security of the athletes and all the participants of the Olympic Games", which open on 7 February.
But correspondents say despite intense security in Sochi, Russians are palpably nervous that following these attacks in Volgograd - which lies 700km north-east of Sochi - bombers could also strike elsewhere.
Witnesses described a scene of carnage following the blast 
Police cordoned off the site of the explosion as they looked for clues 
The explosion was the second in the city in 24 hours. A blast hit a train station on Sunday. 
Sunday's explosion blew out many windows, and sent debris down the station steps No-one has admitted carrying out either bombing, but they came several months after Chechen rebel leader Doku Umarov threatened new attacks against civilian targets in Russia, including the Olympics.
Vladimir Markin, a spokesman for the Investigative Committee - Russia's main federal investigating authority - said identical explosives were used in the two attacks.
"This confirms the theory that the two attacks are linked. It is possible that they were prepared in the same place," he said.
President Putin has ordered security measures to be tightened across Russia and in particular in Volgograd.
Busy marketThe latest explosion took place near a busy market in Volgograd's Dzerzhinsky district.
Maksim Akhmetov, a Russian TV reporter who was at the scene of the blast, said the trolleybus was packed with people going to work in the morning rush hour.
He described the scene as "terrible", adding that the bus was "ravaged" and that there were "bodies everywhere, blood on the snow".
Health Minister Veronika Skvortsova said the injured include a pregnant woman, two 16 year olds and a baby aged about six months whose parents are assumed dead.
The regional governor announced five days of mourning.
The force of the explosion removed much of the bus's exterior and broke windows in nearby buildings.
The blast took place at a busy time on a busy route, as Daniel Sandford explains
"It is now possible to preliminarily say that the explosive device was set off by a suicide bomber - a man whose body fragments have been collected and sent for genetic testing," the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The first blast rocked Volgograd-1 station at lunchtime on Sunday, when it was packed with people travelling to celebrate the New Year.
An Islamist insurgency in the North Caucasus region has led to many attacks there in recent years.
Insurgents have also attacked major Russian towns.
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The duke will learn about the challenges facing the UK's rural communities The Duke of Cambridge is to become a full-time student of agricultural management at Cambridge University from next week, Kensington Palace says.
Prince William will learn about issues facing the UK's rural communities and farming industry during the 10-week bespoke course.
The studies are expected to give him a foundation for when he takes over the Duchy of Cornwall from Prince Charles.
It is thought the duke will live in Cambridge for part of the time.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said the prince was "very much looking forward" to the course, which runs until mid-March.
The course is run by the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership (CPSL), an institution within Cambridge University's School of Technology, which has William's father, Prince Charles, as its patron.
The palace spokesman said: "The executive education programme of seminars, lectures and meetings will draw on the strengths of academics across the university.
"The course has been designed to help provide the duke with an understanding of contemporary issues affecting agricultural business and rural communities in the UK."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are set to visit New Zealand and Australia next year The Duchy of Cornwall is a portfolio of land, property and investments which the prince will inherit from his father when Charles becomes king.
Prince William, who is second-in-line to the throne, will have 18 to 20 hours of lectures, seminars and meetings a week, as well as essays to complete and field trips to attend.
The cost of the course is being met privately.
The duke graduated from the University of St Andrews in 2005 with a class 2:1 degree in geography, and it was as an undergraduate that he met his future wife Kate Middleton.
He then spent more than seven years in the military, most recently working as an RAF search and rescue pilot based in Anglesey, north Wales.
Over the next year he is expected to focus on royal duties and charity work with his wife, now the Duchess of Cambridge - as well as his studies.
In April, the couple are set to visit New Zealand and Australia, most likely accompanied by their baby son, Prince George.
West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka has agreed not to use the "quenelle" gesture again when celebrating goals.
Anelka, 34, made the sign - described as an inverted Nazi salute - after scoring his first of two goals in Saturday's 3-3 draw at West Ham.
France's sports minister accused him of a "disgusting anti-Semitic" gesture.
A statement from West Brom said: "The club has asked Nicolas not to perform the gesture again. Nicolas immediately agreed to adhere to this request."
The French government is trying to ban comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala's shows over his use of the gesture and Anelka confirmed on Twitter he did it in support of the performer.
But West Brom instructed Anelka not to use the gesture again after acknowledging "the goal celebration has caused offence in some quarters".
The club will continue to consider the Frenchman for matches while the matter is being investigated internally and by the Football Association.
"Nicolas was asked to explain his goal celebration by caretaker head coach Keith Downing within minutes of the game finishing at West Ham," the statement read.
"Nicolas said that he performed the gesture to dedicate his goal to a friend and vehemently denied having any intention to cause offence.
"Upon reporting for training this morning, Nicolas was asked by sporting & technical director Richard Garlick to give a full explanation about his goal celebration, during which he again strongly denied intending to cause offence."
West Brom have told the FA they will help with their enquiry as well as holding their own investigation, a process which they say "will remain confidential between the club and Nicolas".
Meghan O'Sullivan and Richard Haass (both centre) have chaired a series of round-table talks Talks between Northern Ireland's five main parties and former US diplomat Dr Richard Haass in a bid to resolve three contentious issues have resumed for the final day.
A deadline for agreement on dealing with the past, parades and flags has been set for Monday evening.
A sixth draft of the proposals was delivered to the parties overnight.
A round table session on Monday morning was delayed to give the parties more time to review the latest document.
The BBC understands that talks will now continue into the evening with a final session being called at 18:30 GMT.
BBC NI political reporter Stephen Walker, who has seen the sixth draft, said the proposal still includes plans for a trauma centre for Troubles victims and a code of conduct for parading, which is proving problematic.
Another issue causing concern for some parties is how people can be compelled to give evidence into historical enquiries.
In the 38-page draft Dr Hass writes that "this is a remarkable opportunity to make bold choices to address the issues that hold us back".
The latest draft also says that the Implementation Reconciliation Group is to be established within six months of a deal being reached.
'Fairly confident'Arriving at the talks Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said he was "fairly confident" a deal could be reached.
"We are hopeful we can do a deal today," he said.
"These issues will not go away so now is the time to deal with them."
On Sunday, Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt said the talks were "80 to 90% over the line".
Delegations from the parties - except the DUP - met Dr Haass separately on Sunday.
The DUP did not take part as it does not negotiate on Sundays.
Talks between all five parties and Dr Haass had ended on Saturday without agreement.
'Humiliation risk'Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness said that Dr Haass and his co-chair, Prof Meghan O'Sullivan, must not be allowed to return to the United States without securing a deal.
"It would be a humiliation if Richard Haass and Meghan O'Sullivan left here against the backdrop of no agreement," he said.
The Alliance Party and the SDLP also urged the other parties to make a deal in time for Monday's deadline.
The DUP met with Dr Haass on Saturday night. The party's Jeffrey Donaldson said he hoped a deal could be reached.
The leader of the UUP, Mike Nesbitt, said he was happy with most of the document.
"I would say 80, maybe even 90% of it, is ready to go over the line," he said.
"So there's not a lot left, but what is left is serious from our point of view."
A spokeswoman for the US National Security Council said the talks were at a critical juncture and the goal remained to achieve agreement before the end of the year.
"We call upon the leadership of the five parties to make the compromises necessary to conclude an agreement now, one that would help heal the divisions that continue to stand between the people of Northern Ireland and the future they deserve," she said.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Theresa Villiers, said she wished the parties well in the final hours of their talks.
"I hope all sides will be able to show flexibility to make an agreement possible on these divisive issues," she said.
"From my many conversations on this over recent days, I am encouraged about the prospects for agreement, although some key issues are yet to be resolved, particularly on the past."
Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan were brought to Northern Ireland in July by the first and deputy first ministers.
They returned to the US for Christmas after talks broke up without agreement in the early hours of Christmas Eve.
The parties were given a fifth draft of proposals from Dr Haass and Prof O'Sullivan on Friday night.
Phil McNulty Chief football writer, BBC Sport As the New Year's Eve celebrations move into 2014 amid reflections on the last 12 months, one date changed the face of British football forever.
Moments after 9am on Wednesday, 8 May 2013, the domestic game's most significant figure of recent times left the stage as Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson announced his retirement as Manchester United manager after 26 years.
He went out in the place he enjoyed most - with United as champions for a record 20th time after a season in which, perhaps more than ever, the sheer force of the Scot's burning personality dragged a less-than-vintage squad over the line.
The signing of Robin van Persie enabled him to make that final flourish and now the floor is left to his chosen Old Trafford successor David Moyes and his rivals to fight over the prizes at home and abroad in the coming months.
So what will 2014 hold in a year in which, once domestic and European matters are settled, we will see the World Cup in Brazil dominate the summer agenda?
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke may just have spoken for many England fans with his now infamous (but let's be honest light-hearted) throat-slitting gesture when Roy Hodgson's team were joined by Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in their World Cup group.
A journey into the Amazon jungle to face the Italians in their opening game adds an extra layer of complexity - but is that early pessimism actually justified?
England will not win the World Cup but on closer examination there may be more cause for hope than that initial reaction suggested.
Uruguay may possess the world-class strike force of Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Paris St-Germain's £55m Edinson Cavani - but they had to navigate the play-offs to get to Brazil so to portray them as world beaters is wrong.
Italy, inspired by Andrea Pirlo, should have overcome England in the Euro 2012 quarter-final long before the inevitable outcome of a penalty shoot-out but this is not a classic side under Cesare Prandelli and Hodgson must believe they can be beaten.
Of course, in an England context, their own standing was placed in an unflattering light by successive Wembley defeats by Chile and an under-strength Germany after qualification was sealed impressively against Montenegro and Poland.
England are hardly blessed with an over-subscription of world-class talent, so Hodgson will be praying Wayne Rooney maintains the magnificent form that has sustained Manchester United in the early months of the season and finally makes the mark on a major tournament that had eluded him since he emerged as a teenage superstar at Euro 2004.
So who will win the World Cup?
Having been in Rio for England's friendly at the refurbished Maracana in May, Brazil will be swept along on a wave of contrasting emotions - joy when the style is there but noisy frustration when it is missing.
Brazil played themselves in with victory at the Confederations Cup and I expect Luiz Felipe Scolari to bring joy to the spiritual home of the game for the second time in July.
The departure of Ferguson and the return of "The Special One" to Chelsea made the headline news and set the scene for what is becoming the most unpredictable Premier League title race in years.
As Moyes stepped in at Manchester United, Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea after his old adversary Rafael Benitez dragged praise out of those who gave him the coldest of welcomes to Stamford Bridge by winning the Europa League against Benfica in Amsterdam.
Manchester City were also under new management as Manuel Pellegrini replaced Roberto Mancini, sacked after he was left empty-handed by victory for Wigan Athletic and their soon-to-depart manager Roberto Martinez in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Whether it is a period of acclimatisation or simply a closing of the gap, 2014 starts with so many of these contenders still harbouring serious ambitions of winning the title.
Pellegrini's commitment to attacking football has seen a succession of sides swept away at The Etihad and now, with signs of improved away form after defeats at Cardiff City, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland, all looks in place for the title to switch back across Manchester.
But what of United? Moyes has suffered some rocky times, not least with two home defeats, by former club Everton - a result he could not manage in 11 years at Goodison Park - and Newcastle United in the space of days.
There have been some ominous signs of the old United, at least in the ability to find a way to win, since then and Moyes will feel they are close enough to the top for him to feel confident the odds might just be overturned with a trademark surge in from January onwards.
If Wayne Rooney's superb form continues and Moyes can somehow get Robin van Persie to enjoy a prolonged period of fitness, then only a fool would dismiss United's chances of title number 21.
Chelsea have also been hit and miss but they are right in the mix and make no mistake, for all the stuttering form, Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to win the Premier League.
Liverpool's attractive football and avalanche of goals, inspired by the brilliance of Luis Suarez, has led some supporters to dream about their first title since 1990.
This is a tribute to the work of manager Brendan Rodgers but realism suggests a top-four place will be regarded as a superb achievement - and one that is well in reach.
Last, and by no means least, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger looks like finally getting a run for his money from a squad he has supported with such unswerving faith as they reclaimed top spot from Liverpool on Boxing Day.
So many would be delighted to see Wenger end a barren sequence stretching back to 2005's FA Cup win - not just for his purist principles but as someone who is a popular figure with so many observers of the game.
The winners will come from this group.
Spurs had plenty of backers when the £85m from Gareth Bale's sale to Real Madrid brought in enough new faces to reupholster Andre Villas-Boas's squad.
Sadly for the Portuguese, the transition proved beyond him and now Tim Sherwood is in charge at White Hart Lane on an 18-month contract. It is a gamble by chairman Daniel Levy and it is hard to see them troubling the Champions League places.
The verdict?
The return of Mourinho persuaded me to pick Chelsea as champions back in August - so there can be no departing from that choice now.
But hard-headed logic suggests that could be wrong and, as so many have said, this Premier League title is Manchester City's to lose.
In plenty of ways (not all of them good) Liverpool's Luis Suarez was one of the personalities of 2013 - now he is on course to be the star of the coming year.
The Uruguayan spent the summer publicly angling to leave Liverpool, courting Real Madrid and Arsenal, who offered £40,000,001 for the striker in the belief it would trigger a release clause in his contract.
The release clause, perhaps to the surprise of Suarez and his agent, was nowhere to be seen and Liverpool stood firm against the sale of the villain of last season who was still serving a 10-game ban for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic at Anfield last March.
How richly this has been rewarded. Suarez returned from his ban seemingly on a mission to transform his image and ensure he is remembered as one of football's most brilliant, intense individuals currently playing the game rather than for his more sinister side.
Suarez must surely be in line for the PFA Player of the Year award. He has been the top flight's stand-out performer, not simply for the goals he has scored but for the quality of those goals.
And this is a story that will stretch into summer as one of the biggest threats to England's World Cup aspirations and will be parked right in front of manager Roy Hodgson for the rest of the Premier League season.
The cynics say another week without a Suarez controversy is just another week closer to the next one - but on the evidence this season English football should celebrate having a player of such brilliance in its midst.
Here there is better news for Roy Hodgson. The arrival of Roberto Martinez at Everton has witnessed the handbrake being released on one of the finest young England talents to emerge in recent years.
Ross Barkley, 20, has been central to Everton's new-look passing, attacking approach with a free role that removes some of the element of risk from the youngster's occasionally poor - understandable in one so young - decision making.
Barkley has proved against Norwich City and Swansea City he can score spectacular goals with left and right foot. He has an outstanding range of skills and touch for such a big, powerful individual and could give England an element of the unknown in Brazil.
If his development continues, he has every chance of being a starter against Italy in Manaus.
The Premier League quartet made it through to the last 16 but it is still hard to see any of Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United actually lifting the trophy.
City and Arsenal face the might of Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively in the last 16 and both will do well to make it further.
Pellegrini's side will pose a real threat to the Catalans but Arsenal may end up paying the price for finishing second in a fiendishly tough group that threw them in with Borussia Dortmund and Napoli.
City's win in Munich suggests they could be a real wild card in the Champions League but realistically the sights will be trained on the usual suspects such as Bayern, Real Madrid and Barcelona should they make it through.
While a Premier League winner will be welcome, it is hard to see them seriously threatening German and Spanish domination.
And with Pep Guardiola in charge at the Allianz Arena, I go for Bayern to retain the trophy they won against Dortmund at Wembley last season.
Two other domestic trophies are up for grabs in the shape of the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup.
Winners?
Capital One Cup - Manchester City
FA Cup - Liverpool.
All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
All posts are reactively-moderated and must obey the house rules.
Comment number 364.
Terry30th December 2013 - 14:57
I still laugh now when Newcastle got criticized by tv muppets when took £35M for Carroll - just has to be the silliest buy ever. and Daglish now on the board as a director !!
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Comment number 363.
Berba_Was_King30th December 2013 - 14:54
People who moan about refs? Can't stand them, really can't. They're human so bound to get some things wrong but so do every other person in life in whatever job they may have.
Just accept these decisions & move on. No ref has ever been responsible in this country for a team winning a league or being relegated. Some of you are right Warnock's!
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Comment number 362.
the_pedagogue30th December 2013 - 14:52
So far as LFC is concerned, lack of squad depth, over reliance on one player will lead to dropped points=struggle to make top four. LS only one decision away from another ban for poor behaviour. Leopards do not change their spots!
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Comment number 361.
chelskikovites30th December 2013 - 14:51
Amazing how the LFC mob conveniently forget Srktel kneeing Oscar in the spine, Leiva raising his hands to Oscar, Hazard being tripped and Terry being elbowed et all. Must have slipped their minds.
I'll happily admit as the home team we got the rub of the green overall, but to suggest LFC didn't get any decisions in their favour which could have gone a different way is blind in the extreme. BLIND.
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Comment number 360.
Stugilboy197130th December 2013 - 14:51
@ 350 fed up of moaning minnies
Aha new comer. How ironic that you choose that user name then waste a full post moaning, trying to get one over me. You failed. I dont know what is more flattering, the fact you dedicated your entire post to me or you likening me to the late great Lady Thatcher? She would have sorted that boy Suarez out I tell you.
Increase the prices, decrease the trouble.
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Comments 5 of 364