Robin van Persie was all smiles as he returned to Arsenal pre-season training today, but the long-term future of the Gunners skipper remains uncertain.

Alisher Usmanov fears the “pinnacle” of Arsenal’s ambitions next season will be just securing Champions League qualification again, as the Gunners face up to the prospect of seeing captain Robin van Persie leave.

Usain Bolt will head to Berlin for the World Championships as a double world record holder and triple Olympic gold medal winner – but not as defending champion.

From an Antarctic research base and the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Empire State Building in New York and the Sears Tower in Chicago, illuminated patches of the globe went dark for Earth Hour, a campaign to highlight the threat of climate change.

Ireland’s flag bearer, six-time Paralympian Patrice Dockery, proudly led the 45-strong Irish team along with team staff into Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium today at opening ceremony of the 13th Paralympic Games.