News

After two weeks of snowy fun, the Sochi Winter Olympics came to a close on Sunday night. We've been watching with a keen eye, and have gathered together our own particular highlights from the Games.

So, here we have the very best gold medal performances, spectacular falls and photo finishes.

The Games didn't quite start perfectly...

Michael Sam attends the University of Missouri. He is one of the best American Football defensive players in the college system. He also happens to be gay.

Last week, after completing his college football career, he came out as gay and in the likely event he is picked for an NFL team in the draft, that would make him unique in the league. 

However, just a matter of days later, anonymous NFL representatives were telling Sports Illustrated that his announcement would likely harm his prospects in the NFL.

After hearing this news, Dallas TV sports newsman Dale Hansen felt he had to get something off his chest. The result below is quite simply brilliant.

Hot dogs vs beef pies. Budweiser vs ale. There is an eternal battle of cultures between the US and UK, and this weekend we can add another to the list- American football vs rugby.

On Sunday night, it is of course the Super Bowl, but before then the Six Nations kicks-off on Saturday afternoon. Luckily for everyone involved, they don't clash, so you don't need to choose between two of the biggest sporting events from either side of the pond.

Instead, embrace both, choose a couple of venues and enjoy an unbeatable sporting weekend. To help you out, we've gathered together some of the best venues in London for you to watch at.

Super Bowl XLVIII

Sunday 2nd February, UK kick-off 11.25pm

Ok so it is on a Sunday night and doesn't start until almost midnight, but it is only once a year. Prepare for raucous, boozy, foody fun.

Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes

Where? Tavistock Hotel, Bedford Way, WC1H
When? 7pm-4am
Tickets £8 in advance - More Here 

Today (Monday 6th January) has been dubbed Blue Monday after research has placed it as the most depressing day of 2014. We think we know why...

1. Christmas tree graveyards

You leave the house and the first thing you see is stacks of sad looking Christmas trees thrown out on the street. A brutal way to realise the Festive season is well and truly over.

A new report released by the British Council today has predicted huge increases in the number of international students coming to study in the UK over the next ten years. With growing concerns over tighter visa restrictions, unwelcoming governmental rhetoric and increased tuition fees at UK universities, this forecast is hugely encouraging.

In the next decade it is expected that the UK will attract an extra 126,000 international students, making it one of the world's fastest growing destinations by 2024. It will cement its place as one of the leading countries for higher education in the world alongside the US and Australia, though it is predicted that all three will face stronger and stronger competition from China.

On a global level, despite the economic struggles, the overall number of students choosing to study abroad has exceeded expectations in the last five years, and such growth is expected to continue. Amazingly, by 2024, China and India will be sending a combined total of almost 4 million students to other countries, contributing a third of the global total.

However, the UK is expected to perform most strongly in the developing markets of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan where it is currently pushing its higher education sector.