The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 5 August- 12 August

Well it comes as no surprise that the main headlines in the UK this week are the riots in London and across the rest of the UK. Following the death of Mark Duggan, a suspected gangster, who was shot dead by police last Thursday, all hell was let loose in Tottenham. Rioters dominated a peaceful protest in his name and displayed extreme violence and destruction in North London. There were more than 100 arrests and 26 officers were injured on Sunday night. Homes and businesses were destroyed, and many used the riot as an excuse to line their pockets with stolen goods ,among other criminal activity and outright violence. The violence continued throughout the beginning of the week, spreading to Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Gloucester, Manchester and Liverpool. Sickening images and videos have been posted of the damage and horrific scenes on the streets. The first fatality was reported on Tuesday 9 August, a 26 year old man who was shot in Croydon. The rioters have been using social media to plan the riots and police have been urging people to help identify suspects online. The prime minister cut his holiday short in attempt to control the riots and prevent further affray. Metropolitan police called on the help of police from across the country, with more than 16,000 police in the streets of London to protect the public from the rioters on Tuesday night.

                                             

Police are urging anyone with any information on the 'rioters' to come forward and have posted images of those caught on CCTV camera with the hope that members of the public will recognise them.

Thursday saw the total number of deaths from the riots reach five. The latest fatality was Richard Mannington Bowes, 68, who was left in a coma when he was attacked by rioters in Ealing, west London, on Monday.

More than 1500 people have now been arrested in conjunction with the rioting earlier this week and more than 500 charged with offences related to the four days of disorder. The courts have been in operation through the night in order to bring justice to all those involved in the riots and looting. There have been concerns that prisons will become overrun and sentences too short.

Olympics ''ambassador'' Chelsea Ives, 18, was reported to the police by her mother after allegedly throwing bricks at a police car in Enfield on Sunday and boasting that she had had ''the best day ever''.

On a lighter note, the true British spirit has shone through the tragedy as communities and celebrities band together to show their support for the police and those affected by the riots. Many have formed groups to help clean up the streets and creating an online campaign, 'Operation cup of Tea'. The riots have become headlines around the world, with messages of both hope for peace and disgust in the behaviour of the rioters posted on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

In other news this week:

- Scientists find water on Mars - Nasa scientists believe they may have found evidence of flowing water on Mars for the first time.

- Helicopter crash kills 38 in Wardak province - 31 US special operation troops and seven Afghan soldiers were killed when the NATO helicopter is believed to have been shot down. Taliban chiefs have claimed responsibility.

- Paul McCartney is the latest celebrity to claim that he has fallen victim to the phone hacking scandal.

- Mr Bean star, Rowan Atkinson, lucky to be alive following McLaren F1 supercar crash.

- A polar bear in Norway mauled to death 17 year old Horatio Chapple and injured four others. The survivors are being treated for their injuries. It is believed that the polar bear was severely under-weight and would have been desperately seeking food.

- Manchester United came from 2-0 to a 3-2 win against Manchester City.

- The Big Chill - An A-list line up joined together for the Big Chill festival at Eastnor Castle this weekend. The bill included Kanye West who made headlines for his trade-mark rants and Dionne Broomfield who paid a moving tribute to the late Amy Winehouse. Also performing were: Jessie J, The Chemical Brothers, Empire of the Sun, Chipmunk, Calvin Harris, Example and Katy B.

- Cher Lloyd reached number one in the official top 40.

-  England v's Holland friendly in Wembley cancelled due to the riots.

- The Celtic Legends triumphed 5-2 in a charity football match against the Manchester United Legends. The Celtic line-up included singer Nicky Byrne, actor Gerard Butler and football legends Henrik Larsson and Bobby Petta. Playing for the Manchester United team were Dwight York, Ricky Whittle, Roy Kene, Simon Webbe, Dion Dublin, Patrick Kielty, and Tinchy Stryder. The match raised more than £300,000 for Oxfam's East Africa Appeal.