The Week in Pictures: September 22 – September 28, 2015

With so much having gone on over the last week perhaps we should take a moment to look back over some of the big stories to hit the headlines.

In Saudi Arabia the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca which ended on Saturday was marred by the deaths of some 769 people, and injury of 934 more, in a stampede on Thursday at in intersection near the Jamarat Pillars. This is the second disaster to strike this year’s Hajj after a crane collapsed at the Grand Mosque killing 109 people two weeks ago. Saudi authorities began an inquiry into the stampede but faced growing criticism on their handling of the situation.

In the US last week the world’s biggest car maker, Volkswagen, admitted to having cheated on emissions tests for some 11 million of its diesel powered vehicles. The cars could detect when they were being tested and reduce emissions significantly. The revelations caused the resignation of the VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn who has been replaced by the former head of Porche, Matthias Mueller. Volkswagen may now face up to $18 billion in fines.

In Switzerland prosecutors have begun a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter the embattled and controversy tainted head of FIFA. The allegations are that Mr. Blatter signed a contract unfavourable to FIFA and made what is being called a “disloyal payment” to the head of the European football association, Michel Platini. Platini had been tipped to take over from Blatter who since resigning has been careful not to visit countries with extradition treaties with the USA where the FBI are investigating corruption within FIFA.

In sport Manchester United moved to the top of the English Premier League with a three nil win over Sunderland. With goals from Depay, Mata and Rooney who hadn’t scored in 11 games. It was a confident performance for Louis Van Gaal’s team, but can they hold onto their table slot with Man City just a point behind? You’ll have to read our daily news pages to find out, but in the meantime here’s some of the big stories we covered last week.

1. At Sunday’s local election in Catalonia the forces of independence won, however failed to gain absolute majority. This leaves questions about the effects of a possible separation of the Catalan state unanswered.

2. Following the shocking defeat against Japan at the Rugby World Cup South African sport minister Fikile Mbalula warned coach Meyer to pull their act together. After this the Springboks managed to defeat Samoa, however lost their team captain Jean de Villiers due to a jawbone fracture.

3. Not unprecedented, but very rare how Bayern’s Lewandowski scored five goals in a top-flight match. What makes it quite exceptional, is how he achieved this feat being substituted in, within only 9 minutes.

4. It was announced, that the famous MPN Poker Tour for 2016 will kick off in Vienna in January.

5. British citizen Yogvitam Pravin Dhokia, the man who wandered into the track during the F1 Singapore GP , faces 6 months in prison for “Rash Act”.

6. Cowboys’ Brandon Weeden wasn’t successful at manning in for the injured Romo as they suffered a 39-28 defeat from Atlanta at his first start. This had the Cowboys drop to 2-1, but Atlanta advancing to 3-0, together with only 6 other teams. This six includes the usual suspects like New England, Denver, Green Bay, Arizona, but perhaps surprisingly Cincinnati or Carolina as well.

7. Thanks to their new agreement, Microgaming Live Casino dealer games are now available, in cooperation with Evolution Gaming.

Meanwhile the Pope addressed both houses of the US congress, the first time a Pontiff has done so, making a speech that addressed issues such as climate change and immigration, abortion and the arms trade. Rapturously received by Democrats and Republicans alike the Pope’s effect on the political grid lock in Washington was instantly evident as Speaker Boehner first cried and then resigned his post. Perhaps the first scientific evidence the Pope really can cast out evil.