Heavy fighting for control of the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo and a major military air base nearby has killed some 150 rebels and government soldiers over the past two days, activists say.

SURROUNDED by grandchildren, some as young as six, legendary sports commentator Micheál O Muircheartaigh yesterday celebrated his 80th birthday by climbing Ireland’s second highest mountain, Mount Brandon (3,123ft) in Kerry.