As Manchester United turned in their most dominant display of the season against Tottenham on Sunday, the influence of one man cannot be underestimated. Michael Carrick's return to Louis van Gaal's starting XI proved crucial at Old Trafford, and could be the turning point for United as they look to finish in the top four this season. He took less than nine minutes to stamp his authority on the game and show the Old Trafford faithful what they have so missed during his two months out. Michael Carrick (second left) heads Manchester United 2-0 up against Tottenham on Sunday . Carrick is congratulated on his goal by his United team-mates during the 3-0 win at Old . UNITED WITH CARRICK . P15 W10 D3 L2 . Win percentage: 66.70% . Points per game: 2.2 . UNITED WITHOUT CARRICK . P14 W6 D5 L3 . Win percentage: 42.90% . Points per game: 1.6 . With Daley Blind on the ball at left back and no Tottenham players covering a huge gap just in from the left touchline, Carrick burst forward to receive the ball before instantly playing a perfectly weighted pass for Marouane Fellaini to open the scoring for United. Ten minutes later Carrick had headed his side 2-0 up and sent them on the way to a vital win. But it was the composure and attacking intent that Carrick provided on Sunday that United have missed so much in recent weeks - something which was not lost on his manager. 'Michael Carrick is not my second captain for nothing. He is one of the best passers also, not only wide but also forward. We need midfielders who have that passing,' said Van Gaal after the game. Indeed, with Carrick in the side United have picked up 2.2 points per game compared to just 1.6 without him. The club have won 66.7% of the game the midfielder has played but than number drops to 42.9% without the England midfielder. Daley Blind played at left back against Tottenham but has spent most of the season in central midfield . Ander Herrera (left) has impressed in midfield for United since signing from Athletic Bilbao in the summer . Marouane Fellaini (left) has been played in an advanced midfield role for United this season . Liverpool (away) - March 22 . Aston Villa (home) - April 4 . Man City (home) - April 12 . Chelsea (away) - April 18 . Everton (away) - April 26 . West Brom (home) - May 2 . Crystal Palace (away) - May 9 . Arsenal (home) - May 16 . Hull (away) - May 24 . In truth, nobody should be surprised. Carrick has been a mainstay of United's midfield for years now, anchoring the side from a deep position. Whether his midfield partners have been of the necessary quality over the years is debatable, but with the likes of Ander Herrera and Blind - as well as the revitalised Fellaini - now available, Carrick should not have to carry the burden all by himself. At 33, however, Carrick

Summary: Michael Carrick scored and set up another against Tottenham on Sunday . Midfielder returned to starting line-up for first time since January 23 . Man United average 2.2 points per game with Carrick and 1.6 without . READ our player ratings for Man United's 3-0 win over Tottenham here . CLICK HERE for all the latest Manchester United news .


If Saturday night’s victory over Ireland does prove to be Shaun Edwards’ final RBS 6 Nations hoorah in Cardiff, then the former rugby league man could not have picked a finer evening to bow out. The Wales defence coach is out of contract after the World Cup and his players delivered a tackling masterclass at the Millennium Stadium. They repelled wave after wave of attacks to send Ireland’s Grand Slam ambitions up in smoke, providing the 48-year-old with one of his finest hours behind the glass wall of the tactical box. Made from stuff the local steelworks would be proud of, his Welsh rearguard saw off almost 50 phases in seven second-half minutes to set up a three-way title showdown in the final weekend. Shaun Edwards and his players delivered a tackling masterclass at the Millennium Stadium against Ireland . Cian Healy is held up by the huge Welsh defensive effort on Saturday, with the home side winning 23-16 . VIDEO Wales dash Ireland's Grand Slam hopes . ‘Only a Six Nations game can bring the emotion out like that,’ said Edwards. ‘Potentially it could be my last Six Nations game with Wales. If it ends up being that way, it was a great way to sign off. ‘It was a victory for team effort and fitness. To keep tackling for that long, you have to be fit. Our attack was very good in the first 20 minutes and it was an incredible Test match. Ireland are a team that never ever give in; they are coming back at you all the time. It was everything that is good about the Six Nations.’ Edwards punched the air in delight on the final whistle. His players racked up a record count of 250 tackles — missing just 22. It did little to damn the notion that northern-hemisphere rugby is geared towards defence, but there was no question about the entertainment value, with the absorbing close-quarter battles making for the best tie of the championship. Taulupe Faletau puts in one of Wales' 150 tackles on a superb defensive display by Edwards' men . The win over Ireland could be Edwards' last RBS 6 Nations game in Cardiff, it was a good way to bow out . ‘To defend in your own 22 for nine and a half minutes and concede one try from a maul is a great credit to the lads,’ said Edwards. ‘We kept getting off the floor and into position very quickly, which is a massive part of your defence. If you are on the floor, you are out of the game. ‘Our tackling, in particular our leg chops, was of the highest order. The best form of defence is having the ball, but some periods in a Test match you are going to be asked to defend. I said to the players during the week that potentially we would have to make 150 to 200 tackles.’ His predictions were right. Ireland had 66 per cent of the possession but lacked the wherewithal to break through the wall of red. The

Summary: Wales beat Ireland 23-16 in Cardiff in the RBS 6 Nations on Saturday . The home side made 250 tackles, delighting their defence coach . Shaun Edwards is out of contract after this year's World Cup . Win over Ireland could be his last Six Nations game with Wales in Cardiff . Edwards calls the win a 'victory for team effort and fitness' Wales missed just 22 tackles in an absorbing game of Six Nations rugby . Samson Lee and Gethin Jenkins are expected to miss clash with Italy .


Victoria Police have been criticised for a 'blaming the victim' mentality and bad timing after posting a warning about taking extra safety measures in parks late at night, in the wake of the brutal murder of teenager Masa Vukotic. Sean Price, has been charged with stabbing Vukotic to death in a park in Melbourne on Tuesday evening. Police homicide chief Michael Hughes told ABC radio on Friday: ‘I suggest to people, particularly females, they shouldn’t be alone in parks. Scroll down for video . Masa Vukotic who loved pink and 'Lolita Japapese fashion' was murdered at 7pm on Tuesday evening in a Melbourne park . ‘I’m sorry to say that is the case. We just need to be a little bit more careful a little bit more security conscious.’ The service posted on its Facebook advice to people to try to stay safe that included warnings to stay in well-lit areas if travelling through parks 'late at night.' Victoria's Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Fiona Richardson, led the criticism of Hughe's comments. She said he 'undoubtedly has the best interest of women in mind and made comments on radio this morning out of care and concern for women, who are all too often victims of crime.' 'However, hearing a senior police officer say that, as a woman you are not safe going about your leisure activities or daily business, is a sad indictment on our society. 'The community conversation needs to be about stopping men from committing these terrible crimes in the first place, not just about women need to protect themselves.' Community members were quick to point out that Masa was killed at 7pm on Tuesday evening. Meanwhile, devastated friends of Vukotic, who was stabbed to death while exercising in a park, have vowed to wear pink in her honour. Friends of murdered schoolgirl Vukotic have paid tribute to their 'beautiful Princess Marci' on Facebook and organised a picnic memorial in a park for the ‘beautiful, loving, sweet, smart, charismatic and hilarious young woman with a bright future ahead of her’. On Thursday, as 31-year-old man Sean Price was charged with Masa's brutal murder, Victoria Police homicide chief Michael Hughes told ABC radio: ‘I suggest to people, particularly females, they shouldn’t be alone in parks. ‘I’m sorry to say that is the case. We just need to be a little bit more careful a little bit more security conscious.’ ‘The safety of all members of our community is a priority to Victoria Police. We ask that everyone, male or female, take a common sense approach to their safety,’ the police Facebook post said. ‘If you’re walking through a park late at night, stay close to well lit areas or walk with friends where possible. Don’t shut yourself off to the world, keep one ear free when listening to music and keep your valuables secure. We simply ask that everyone stay alert and stay safe.’ Facebook user Pete Bannan replied: ‘It's purely sad that people innocently walking need to be reminded of this.’ Angel Egginton said: ‘This is

Summary: Masa Vukotic's friends have organised a memorial in a Melbourne park . They have asked everyone to wear pink or Lolita fashion in tribute . A 31-year-old man has been charged with Ms Vukotic's brutal murder . She was stabbed to death while exercising on Tuesday evening . Victoria Police posted a warning about going to parks alone on Facebook . Homicide chief told women 'they shouldn't be alone in parks' Members of the community expressed sadness over the advice . They pointed out how Ms Vukotic was innocently walking at just 7pm .


A US Marine accused of murdering a transgender Filipino woman after finding out she had been born a man, has had his $500,000 offer to plead guilty rejected by her family. Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton is accused of killing Jennifer Laude, whose body was discovered in a motel room in Olongapo City on October 11. The deal would have seen him admit to the killing in exchange for having the charge downgraded from murder to homicide, which comes with a maximum prison sentence of 20 years instead of 40. But the family angrily rejected Pemberton's plea bargain offer at the start of his trial today, which is proceeding as the marine has pleaded not guilty to murder. Scroll down for video . Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton arrives at court today for the first day of his trial. He is accused of murdering Filipino transgender woman Jennifer Laude in Olongapo City on October 11 . It is claimed US Marine Pemberton (left) murdered Ms Laude (right) after finding out she had been born a man . Flanked by officers Pemberton (centre) heads to court. His $500,000 plea bargain has been rejected . Laude's relatives said they had received a letter from the US Marine, who was 19 at the time of the killing, offering 21 million pesos ($468,000) in exchange for their approval to lower the charge . Prosecutor Emilie Fe de los Santos told reporters that Pemberton's lawyers had made an offer to settle the case, but no agreement was reached by today so the trial began as planned. De los Santos gave no details about the plea bargain offer. But Laude's relatives said they had received a letter from the US Marine, who was 19 at the time of the killing, offering 21 million pesos ($468,000) in exchange for their approval to lower the charge from murder to homicide. 'No amount of money could pay for the years I spent raising my child,' Ms Laude's mother Julita Cabillan told reporters. 'What they did to my child was gruesome. Just because we are poor doesn't mean we can't fight for justice.' Wearing a black suit, grew shirt and silver and green patterned tie, Pemberton was photographed being escorted by US soldiers to the hearing in Olongapo. Laude, also known as Jeffrey, was found naked with strangle marks on her neck having been drowned in the toilet bowl of a cheap motel room in the city's red light district in October last year, according to a police autopsy report. In rejecting the plea bargain offer made by Pemberton (right) the victim's mother Julita Cabillan said: 'No amount of money could pay for the years I spent raising my child' Pemberton, who had just finished training exercises between US and Philippine marines near Olongapo, checked into the motel with Ms Laude, aged 26, shortly after meeting her at a bar, prosecutors said. The prosecution's first witness, a bellboy, testified today that he saw Pemberton at the motel on the night Ms Laude was killed. However the proceedings were closed to the media,

Summary: Marine Joseph Pemberton pictured arriving for hearing in Olongapo City . Lance Corporal is charged with murdering Jennifer Laude in same city . Post-mortem determined she was strangled and drowned in toilet bowl . Body was discovered in room at Celzone Lodge motel on October 11 . Pemberton met Laude at nightclub in city before two checked into room . Marine allegedly killed Laude after finding out she was not born a woman . Plea bargain, which would have reduced charge to homicide, is now off .


The President and First Lady both filmed TV appearances in Burbank, California on Thursday - but billed taxpayers for two separate private flights to get there. Barack Obama took Air Force One to LAX, at a cost of more than $1million, so he could be on Jimmy Kimmel Live. But, rather than ride with him, Michelle Obama chartered a different, earlier plane for a slot on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, filmed in the same LA suburb as Kimmel's program. Scroll down for video . Obamas' day out: The president goofed around on-screen with Jimmy Kimmel, left, while the First Lady flew to California to give Ellen DeGeneres a hug (right) Busting moves on our dime: Michelle Obama took a different flight to her husband to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres show and dance to Uptown Funk . Tough at the top: Barack Obama took some time to read insulting tweets about himself on the show . Despite the closeness, the White House has insisted that the pair's schedules 'were not in sync', CNN reported. The Commander-in-Chief used his time on the airwaves to read out mean tweets about himself, while Mrs Obama busted dance moves alongside DeGeneres to the tune of Uptown Funk. Obama's episode of Kimmel has aired already, while the full DeGeneres show is due on Monday. White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz defended the arrangement to a group of reporters on Air Force One. No room for Michelle: The president took Air Force One for the TV appearance, at an estimated cost of more than $1million . Low-key: Obama took Marine One, background, from LAX to Burbank airport . He said: 'I believe on this occasion the schedules were not in sync to travel together... I'm not even sure they overlapped.' Obama's visit was also occasion for a host of obvious - and expensive - security measures. When the president took a helicopter from LAX to Burbank airport, he was accompanied by three military choppers. A team of snipers was also dispatched to Los Angles to guard the president, who took a 40-car motorcade from Burbank's airport to Kimmel's studio. Entourage: These black-clad security men were on the tarmac in Los Angeles as part of Obama's detail . The Obamas are not thought to have seen one other at all in California. The president flew on to Phoenix on Friday afternoon, while the First Lady returned to the White House Thursday. Air Force One costs more than $200,000 an hour to fly, meaning the tab for Obama's flight to Los Angeles will have passed the $1million mark by itself. The specifics of the First Lady's travel arrangements are not clear, though it is likely to have stacked tens of thousands of dollars on to the overall cost. It is not the first time the First Family has come under scrutiny for drafting multiple planes for very similar trips. A 2011 summer jaunt to Martha's Vineyard saw the President take Air Force One solo to the famous golfing spot. Michelle, Sasha and Malia followed in a separate jet just

Summary: Barack Obama took Air Force One to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live . Cost for presidential jet along will have exceeded $1million . Michelle Obama took separate plane to be on The Ellen DeGeneres Show . Both shows were filmed in Burbank, California, on Thursday . White House insists that their 'schedules were not in sync' Obamas flew separately before - for breaks in Hawaii and Martha's Vineyard .


A New South Wales company has been forced to settle a tab of more than $10,000 with the ACCC, after it advertised '100 per cent Aussie' beer that was actually made in China. The Independent Liquor Group was hit with an infringement notice by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and had to pay the fine of $10,200 after its green and gold clad beer was falsely advertised. Independent Liquor Group was fined for advertising this Chinese brewed beer as 'Aussie beer' 'Aussie Beer' labelling from March 2014 to August 2014 featured a map of Australia with '100 per cent owned' inside it, and the statement 'Australia's finest malt'. However, contrary to what its packaging suggested, the beer is made in China. The ACCC dished out the penalty in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law. 'Country of origin representations, particularly those designed to grab the eye of the consumer by using well known symbols, colours, or slogans, must be truthful,' ACCC Chairman Rod Sims said. The ACCC fined the New South Wales company $10,200, in accordance with Australian Consumer Law . 'Consumers will often place a premium on the provenance of a product, but are unable to check the accuracy of those claims. This is particularly the case with Australian made products which encourage consumers to support local industries. 'Consumers are entitled to expect that prominent representations made on packaging are accurate without having to check for disclosures in the fine print.'

Summary: Independent Liquor Group fined $10,200 by the ACCC for false advertising . Beer claimed to be '100% Aussie' but is actually brewed in China . 'Aussie Beer' with misleading labelling sold from March to August 2014 . Punishment handed out in line with the Australian Consumer Law .


Arsenal scouts will watch Dynamo Kiev centre-back Aleksandar Dragovic against Everton on Thursday. The 24-year-old Austria international is being touted as one of the best defenders in Europe and is keen to leave Ukraine in the summer. Kiev want around £15million for him but that has not deterred the likes of Borussia Dortmund who see him as a potential replacement for Mats Hummels. Arsenal will send scouts to watch Dynamo Kiev defender Aleksandar Dragovic against Everton on Thursday . Dragovic (left) is valued at £15million and is also attracting interest from Manchester United and Dortmund . The Austria international moved to Ukraine from Swiss side Basle in 2013 . Manchester United and West Ham have also watched Dragovic closely over recent months. United remain unconvinced about his consistency while any deal may prove too rich for West Ham. Arsenal have just signed Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal but know they need greater strength in depth as they wrestle with continued injury problems and the inconsistent form of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny. Manchester United's Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling have also been discussed at Arsenal as they weigh up more summer spending. Arsene Wenger remains keen on adding another midfielder, full-back and striker to his squad.

Summary: Aleksandar Dragovic is a central defender for Ukraine outfit Dynamo Kiev . Arsenal will watch the Dragovic during Europa League clash with Everton . Austria international has also attracted interest from Manchester United . Defender is valued at around £15m with Dortmund also holding an interest . CLICK HERE for all the latest Arsenal news .


Hull defender Michael Dawson will lead his side into Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Chelsea insisting confidence levels have not been hit by a fortnight of frustration which has plunged them deeper into the relegation dogfight. Missed opportunities against Sunderland and Leicester have left the Tigers hovering three points above the drop zone while their hopes have also been hit by the news that striker Nikica Jelavic faces six weeks on the sidelines after knee surgery. On the face of it a clash with Jose Mourinho's champions elect is the last thing the struggling hosts might wish for but former Tottenham star Dawson is adamant his team can once again rise to the occasion this weekend. Michael Dawson (centre) says his side are not low in confidence and have a great fighting spirit . Dawson said: 'We have got a spirit and a fight about us and we have certainly shown that in recent weeks. It's all about fine margins and at the end of the day we picked up points that might be valuable at the end of the season. 'It is a massive challenge playing against all the top teams but we have been away to Anfield and Manchester City and Arsenal and picked points up and we could quite easily have picked up all three against City.' The Tigers' survival hopes took another hit last week when fellow strugglers Burnley upset Manuel Pellegrini's men at Turf Moor but Dawson says that upset can provide inspiration for his own side on Sunday. The Hull captain remonstrates with referee Jonathan Moss following Tom Huddlestone's sending off . 'You do look at other results, there's no hiding that, and seeing that kind of result definitely gives us that belief,' added Dawson. 'On paper it wasn't one you would look at but credit to Burnley who showed what the Premier League is about.' Jelavic's untimely absence will mean another chance for either record signing Abel Hernandez or Sone Aluko in attack, but the game is likely to come too early for long-term injured trio Mohamed Diame, Robbie Brady and Liam Rosenior. However despite Jelavic's grim immediate prognosis, boss Steve Bruce is determined not to completely write the Croatian striker off and believes he could yet return to play a part in the potentially crucial end-of-season run-in. Bruce said: 'Being realistic we think it's going to be at least six weeks. It could force him out for the rest of the season, but knowing Jela the way I do I am sure he is going to give it a good shot.' Nikica Jelavic faces up to six weeks out and is all but ruled out of their Premier League survival bid .

Summary: Michael Dawson has praised his team-mates for their fighting spirit . The Hull captain thinks this mentality will help them survive relegation . Hull face leaders Chelsea at the KC Stadium on Sunday in a crucial clash . Click here for all the latest Hull news .


Manny Pacquiao received a surprise visit from drug testers prior to his Fight of the Century with Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao was approached unannounced by an anti-doping examiner at the house he is renting in Los Angeles where he is preparing to face Mayweather in Las Vegas on May 2. Both fighters can expect to be tested under the US Anti-Doping Association programme to which they have both signed up. Manny Pacquiao was paid a surprise visit by an anti-doping examiner on Sunday to take a drug test . Pacquiao has a plaster applied after giving a blood sample to the examiner . Pacquiao was visited only four days after the packed red-carpet media event in LA which formally launched the build up to the $350million richest fight of all time. The inspector called at the house, where Pacquiao was relaxing with members of his team between work-outs with master trainer Freddie Roach at the fabled Wild Card Gym . The PacMan readily complied with tests for both blood – a process about which he had previously expressed his dislike – and urine. ‘No problem,’ he told the medic, with a smile. Earlier, his promoter Bob Arum had made it clear that Pacquiao had issued a $5m challenge to Mayweather with regard to the testing, and offered to surrender that amount should he fail the examination. In addition to the giving blood, Pacquiao also gave a urine sample during the test . Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather can expected to be randomly tested before the bout on May 2 in Las Vegas . Arum explained: ‘Manny proposed that if either of them did not pass a test, that man should pay the other $5m. ‘Floyd’s team declined. Not because anybody here is afraid of the outcome but because they realised they could legally get a lot more if it happened. ‘Fine with Manny. If Floyd fails we will be looking for much more compensation than $5m.' Pacquiao has already been paid damages – reportedly in seven figures – after taking legal action for remarks made by members of the Mayweather team, when they began demanding drugs-testing, which inferred that he might have used performance enhancing drugs in the past. Under the US procedures, which comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency standards applied for the Olympics, both boxers must submit to random testing in the weeks leading up to the fight and to another immediately after the event. Pacquiao was happy to be filmed by a camera crew from the Philippines, who are documenting the build up . Pacquiao proposed that if either boxer failed a drug test they would have to pay the other $5million . Pacquiao has had to overcome an element of paranoia that a loss of blood prior to fights might weaken him in the ring. But he is so cool about testing now that he allowed video-taping of Sunday’s test by a Philippines camera crew which is filming virtually his every move between now and fight night in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mayweather has campaigned vociferously in the last

Summary: Manny Pacquiao took drug test at the house he is renting in LA on Sunday . Anti-doping examiner turned up unannounced taking both blood and urine . Pacquiao allowed a Philippines camera crew to film Sunday's test . READ: Fans join in with Pacquiao's Day 12 road workout . CLICK HERE for all the latest Pacquiao and Mayweather news .


The body of Australian Kurdish fighter Ashley Johnston is on the way home, following a funeral service held in his honour was carried out in Iraq. The former soldier was reportedly killed while fighting for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) on February 24. Johnston, known as Heval Bagok Serhed, along with British man Konstandinos Erik Scurfield were honoured together before their bodies were sent home, according to the YPG's Facebook page. Scroll down for video . Ashley Johnston, 28, was reportedly killed while fighting for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) on February 24 . Mourners held up framed photos of Johnston, 28, and the Australian flag to pay tribute to him. His coffin was adorned in a red cloth with yellow and green ribbon wrapped around it. On top of the casket, bright yellow flowers were attached. A picture of the fallen Australia was stuck at the foot of the coffin, while it was carried through the streets by four pallbearers. Mr Johnston, known as Heval Bagok, along with British man Konstandinos Erik Scurfield were honoured together . Mourners held up framed photos of Mr Johnston and the Australian flag to pay tribute to him . Days after his death, Johnston's mother revealed she did not know her son was fighting against Islamic State (IS) until he was killed in Iraq. On February 24, the truck he was travelling in reportedly broke down and his group were 'outnumbered and outgunned' by IS fighters. A fellow fighter also recalled how Johnston died, saying the Australian 'sacrificed himself' for his comrades. This comes as Johnston said in his final interview before his death, that he was afraid of returning home because he thought he'd be treated like a terrorist. Amanda Johnston, of Canberra, told The Sydney Morning Herald that she thought her son was with the Kurds because he was doing some humanitarian work. Ms Johnston said she only knew of his whereabouts from a text message sent by her son on December 30. Johnston had informed his mother that he was in the Middle East 'supporting the Kurdish people'. Ms Johnston learnt of her son's death on Thursday, saying she was shocked by the news and is in disbelief that he was killed while fighting ISIS. A former Australian soldier was reportedly fighting for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Iraq and Syria but was killed on February 24 . The Lions of Rojava, a band of volunteers that help recruit soldiers to the YPG, claimed Ashley Johnston was 'outnumbered and outgunned' The Australian reportedly died on February 24 in a small village near Shingal in Iraq, close to the border with Syrian Kurdistan . 'I just kept calling because I didn't believe it was true. I know in my head that it is actually Ash but the rest of me doesn't like to believe it's true,' she said. 'I just said, "I need to talk to you. You have to ring me. I don't believe that what I've been told is true. I need you to ring me and

Summary: Australian Ashley Johnston was killed in Iraq while fighting Islamic State . He was killed in Iraq after he joined the Kurdish People's Protection Units . It is believed his body is being sent home to Australia following the funeral . His mother did not know he was fighting Islamic State until he was killed . Kurds say Johnston 'sacrificed himself' when tank was encircled by IS .


Dressed in supermarket-branded loungewear, unemployed Ronnie Moore would look out at his freshly-trimmed lawn with a washing-line full of cottons blowing above it and wonder if his future lay in the kitchen rather than the dugout. Sacked by Tranmere Rovers last April having admitted an FA charge of breaching rules regarding betting on matches – a ‘joke’ he calls the whole affair - the Scouser was at rock bottom. Meanwhile, 150 miles north of Liverpool in Hartlepool, the town’s football team had themselves plunged new depths. Bottom of League Two having lost seven of the previous eight, their proud status as residents of the Football League since 1920 was under threat. Ronnie Moore reacts in the touchline as his Hartlepool side continue to fight for survival in League Two . In December, they turned to Moore, a month shy of his 62nd birthday. It was a long-shot for both parties. ‘People must have thought I was crackers coming in here,’ he says on the eve of a home match with Cambridge which could see Pools emerge from the relegation zone for the first time since October. ‘But I had been out of work for eight months. I knew how to wash up, hang washing out, what heat your cottons should be on. My back garden was like bloody Wembley. I was even going shopping and looking for the cheapest thing – the own brands. ‘Others might not have given me the chance considering all the crap that was written. ‘I was not going behind people's backs betting thousands of pounds on things. It was nothing but a family syndicate. The whole thing was a joke. Marvin Morgan (left) celebrates scoring a winning goal for Hartlepool in February against Northampton . ‘So just to be given the opportunity when no-one wants you, just to get back in, that drives you on.’ Within a few weeks, however, Hartlepool had fallen 10 points adrift of safety. They had still not won under Moore’s care. He had been horrified when it took 15 minutes during his first training session for the team to string five passes together and commented, ‘We’ve got some f****** bad players.' He had some harsh words for them in public, too. ‘I have sent out a circular to say we have players available but I don’t expect my phone to be red hot to be honest,’ he said in January. ‘Where do they think they are going to go at the end of the season? They are not going to Real Madrid. ‘One of them might go to League One, but one or two of them might be working in Asda. Hartlepool, who are currently bottom of League Two, have won their last three matches . ‘These lads don’t have a clue what life is about. They go home at 1pm, get their feet up and watch Home & Away. All we can try to do is wise them up.’ Wise up and shape up they have. Indeed, three wins in a week without conceding has moved them to within one point

Summary: Hartlepool are bottom of League Two, but now only one point from safety . Former Tranmere Rovers manager Ronnie Moore took over in December . Moore was sacked by Tranmere in April but has thrived in Hartlepool .


High social status has its privileges - even in wild animals. Researchers studying spotted hyenas in Kenya found that high-ranking members of a clan live longer, are healthier and even have more offspring. The discovery was made by analysing the lengths of telomeres - caps at the end of each strand of DNA - regarded as important signs of ageing and stress in many species, including humans. Researchers studied the status and health of spotted hyenas in Kenya (stock image). They found high-ranking members of groups live longer and are healthier and these alpha females were also found to have more offspring. The discovery was made by analysing the lengths of telomeres . Nora Lewin from Michigan State Univerity's zoology department said: 'If you want to see the hierarchy of spotted hyenas, throw down some fresh meat near them. 'It's quickly apparent who's dominant and who's not.' But she wanted to know if these long-accepted biological markers would support what she was seeing in the field. Ms Lewin worked with fellow lead author and MSU zoologist Kay Holekamp to study more than 25 years of data on hyenas across the African country. Telomeres are caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect chromosomes from deterioration. These biomarkers are regarded as important signs of ageing and stress in many species, including humans. Shrinking telomeres are a signal that cells are sliding into 'defensive mode', stressful actions that could soon lead to cells' - and to the person or animal's - death. High-ranking hyenas had longer telomeres than their peers. In young humans, telomeres are about 8,000-10,000 nucleotides long. They shorten with each cell division, however, and when they reach a critical length the cell stops dividing or dies. This internal 'clock' makes it difficult to keep most cells growing in a laboratory for more than a few cell doublings. She also spent a summer in Kenya observing hyenas' social structure. The team of researchers focused on telomeres, caps that protect chromosomes from deterioration. These biomarkers are regarded as important signs of ageing and stress in many species, including humans. Shrinking telomeres are a signal that cells are sliding into 'defensive mode', stressful actions that could lead to cells' - and to the person or animal's - death. High-ranking hyenas had longer telomeres than their peers suggesting they were healthier. Group membership significantly predicted telomere length of those female hyenas that sat at the top of the social hierarchy. But Ms Lewin also noted a couple of interesting twists. The alpha females of each clan had the longest telomeres. However, the length was relative to each individual clan. This meant that if researchers found a lone hyena wandering the savanna they couldn't simply identify it as an alpha female based solely on telomere length. Also the team was able to rule other factors that could possibly influence telomere length such as abundance of food - which could be linked to better overall health. Telomeres are caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect chromosomes from deterioration. These biomarkers

Summary: Researchers studied the status and health of spotted hyenas in Kenya . They found high-ranking members of groups live longer and are healthier . These alpha females were also found to have more offspring . Discovery was made by analysing the lengths of telomeres . These caps at the end of each strand of DNA are regarded as important signs of ageing and stress in many species, including humans . High-ranking hyenas had longer telomeres than their peers .


Norway international Martin Odegaard has become the youngest player to start a European Championship qualifier. The Real Madrid star, aged 16 years and 101 days, started for his country in their Group H tie against Croatia on Saturday. Odegaard previously became the youngest footballer to play in a Euro qualifier when he came on as a substitute against Bulgaria at the age of 15 years and 300 days. Real Madrid youngster Martin Odegaard started for Norway against Croatia on Saturday evening . The 16 year-old has become the youngest player ever to start a European Championship qualifier . Odegaard (top left) lines up alongside his international team-mates ahead of their match against Croatia . The game did not start well though, as Croatia took the lead after half an hour. Marcelo Brozovic was the scorer as the group leaders went ahead once more. Going into the game, Croatia had not lost any of their opening four fixtures, and they continued that run, eventually winning 5-1 and brushing Norway aside with ease. Odegaard, although unable to stop his country from losing on Saturday, is a talented young forward with a big future ahead of him. He joined Real Madrid in January, and has been plying his trade with Castilla, Madrid's reserve side. Odegaard, pictured signing autographs while training with Norway, played for his country on Saturday . Odegaard joined Real Madrid in January, and is playing his football for Castilla, their reserve side . Odegaard signed for Madrid after copious amounts of attention from a number of clubs around the world .

Summary: Martin Odegaard started for Norway against Croatia on Saturday . He is now the youngest player to start a European Championship qualifier . Odegaard, who plays for Real Madrid, is 16 years and 101 days old . He previously became the youngest footballer to play in a Euro qualifier when he was brought on as a substitute at 15 years and 300 days .


A talented pitching prospect for the Seattle Mariners has died after he was hit by a boat in his native Venezuela. Victor Sanchez, 20, was swimming near the Playa Medina in the city of Carupano on February 14 when the propeller struck him in the head. The rising star, who signed for the MLB franchise when he was just 16, was taken to a local hospital with multiple skull fractures and a cranial hematoma and underwent surgery. Doctors then placed him in an induced coma and transferred him to a larger facility in the country's capital, Caracas, but he failed to recover from his extensive injuries and died on Saturday. Prospect: Talented pitcher Victor Sanchez has died after being hit by a boat in his native Venezuela . Tragic: The rising star was swimming off the coast in Playa Medina in the city of Carupano on February 14 when the propeller struck him in the head (file picture) According to The Seattle Times the tragic incident took place just days before he was due to report to a Mariner's mini-camp in Arizona ahead of the start of the season. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said: '[We] are saddened to learn of the passing of Victor Sanchez.' 'Victor was a tremendous young man and a wonderful teammate. He was a very talented player who was close to fulfilling his promise as a Major Leaguer. 'He will be missed by his teammates, and the coaches and staff at the Mariners. 'The entire Mariners organization sends our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,' Zduriencik added. Condolences: The Seattle Mariners uploaded a tribute by general manager Jack Zdurienick following news of Sanchez's passing on Saturday . Sanchez was signed by the Mariners for $2.5million as an undrafted agent in 2011. Those who played beside him took to social media to pay their respects after news of his death surfaced, . Teammate D.J Peterson tweeted: 'My prayers go out to the family of victor Sanchez I will always remember you! R.I.P. Big man.' Tyler Pike said: 'Really sad to hear the news. RIP Victor Sanchez. Great man, great teammate, and a great friend. You will be missed mi hermano. Patrick Kivelhan said: 'We lost a teammate but lost an even better person with the passing of Victor Sanchez tonight. Your memory will live on forever in my heart.' Devastated: Patrick Kiivelhan was one of Sanchez's teammates to share his respects for the talented player .

Summary: Victor Sanchez was near the Playa Medina on February 14 when he was hit . The boat's propeller struck him in the head, causing multiple brain injuries . He was taken to hospital for surgery then placed in an induced coma . Was then transferred to a ward in Caracas, but failed to recover . Talented player signed for the MLB franchise when he was just 16 . Tragic incident took place just days before he was due to report for training .


A woman who lost her unborn baby girl after the fetus was cut from her womb in a brutal attack by a stranger has been released from hospital, her family said on Wednesday. Michelle Wilkins, 26, was seven-months pregnant when she responded to a Craigslist ad for maternity clothes in Longmont, Colorado last week. She was stabbed and had her fetus ripped out allegedly by 34-year-old Dynel Lane. Miss Wilkins had been treated at Longmont United Hospital. In a statement, her family said: 'Today marks a week since the brutal attack that nearly cost Michelle her life and ended that of her soon to be born baby Aurora. 'She is now out of the hospital in a safe location and accompanied by her partner Dan, is taking the first tentative steps along a long journey towards recovery and spiritual reconciliation. Scroll down for video . Michelle Wilkins, 26, was seven months pregnant when she was stabbed and had her baby removed by a female attacker in Longmont, Colorado. She was released from hospital on Wednesday . A GoFundMe account has been set up for the 26-year-old and raised close to $47,000 from well-wishers. Her family expressed their gratitude on Wednesday . 'She is surrounded by friends and family and wishes to express her deep gratitude for all the expressions of love, kindness, and spiritual solidarity she has received from both the Longmont community and from around the world. 'Michelle believes her recovery is directly aided by the prayers and positive energy she is receiving. The statement continued: 'We cannot predict what lies ahead for Michelle. We have no guidebook on how to navigate this crisis, or a checklist on what to do next. We wish there were. 'What we can say is that we have all been deeply moved by the many people who have reached out to Michelle and her partner to share their own personal stories of tragedies they’ve endured and how they managed to first just survive and then eventually start to heal. That alone has given us the strength to get up and face each day. The 26-year-old was surrounded by family who confirmed she had now left hospital. They said she was drawing comfort from her beloved dog, Jade, who had not left her side . 'You’ve touched our hearts and souls and we thank you so much.' A GoFundMe page has raised close to $47,000 for the 26-year-old. The family wrote on the fundraising page that Miss Wilkins was also being comforted by her 'beloved dog Jade'. The 26-year-old had moved to Colorado and just started a job teaching pottery classes. On March 18, she answered a Craigslist ad for baby clothes in a suburban neighborhood of Longmont, about 30 miles from Denver. She was glassed in the neck and then attacked with a small knife in the basement, allegedly by Dynel Lane. The suspect then fled with the baby, who was found by Lane's husband, taking her last breath's in the bathtub. Lane reportedly told her husband that she had suffered a miscarriage and he

Summary: Michelle Wilkins, 26, was knifed when she responded to a Craigslist ad for maternity clothes in Longmont, Colorado last week . She was stabbed and had her fetus ripped out allegedly by 34-year-old Dynel Lane . Her family said in a statement: 'She is now out of the hospital in a safe location and accompanied by her partner Dan'


Labour could be dead in ten years, one of Ed Miliband’s closest advisers warns. Policy co-ordinator Jon Cruddas said the party could ‘disintegrate in real time’ because traditional supporters were splintering off to increasingly successful smaller parties. It comes as Mr Miliband’s party, which was formed in 1900, languishes in the polls as Labour voters defect to the Greens or SNP. Scroll down for video . Labour dead in ten years? The remarks will embarrass leader Ed Miliband (left) because policy co-ordinator Jon Cruddas (right) is meant to be rebuilding the party in the wake of New Labour . The remarks will embarrass Mr Miliband because Mr Cruddas is meant to be rebuilding the party in the wake of New Labour. During a debate on digital democracy, Mr Cruddas was asked whether Labour might go the same way as social democratic parties in Greece and Spain, which have been overtaken by radical anti-austerity movements. Asked whether Labour could be gone within a decade, Mr Cruddas replied: ‘Yes, yes. There is no safe ground for any orthodox parties, and the stakes could be high potentially. ‘They could just disintegrate in real time – and I include the party I represent.’ Labour’s biggest individual donor: John Mills (pictured) believes Mr Miliband’s flagship tuition fees policy will destabilise universities and not help working-class children . Last night it emerged Labour’s biggest individual donor believes Mr Miliband’s flagship tuition fees policy will destabilise universities and not help working-class children. Question to the Chancellor: Ed Balls has refused 13 times to rule out a post-election deal with the SNP . John Mills told The Daily Telegraph there were ‘redistributive problems’ with cutting fees to £6,000 a year, and warned it could hurt Labour’s economic credibility. The founder of shopping channel firm JML also said the party was likely to fall short of a majority. It marks the biggest internal challenge to Labour’s tuition fees position since Mr Miliband revealed the proposals a fortnight ago. Mr Mills said: ‘What it’s doing is helping middle-class rather than working-class children.’ Meanwhile, Ed Balls refused 13 times to rule out a post-election deal with the SNP yesterday. Despite a growing clamour for Labour to reject any power-sharing with the SNP, the Shadow Chancellor dodged repeated questions on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show. He said: ‘It is not part of our plans. I’m not going to get involved in speculation about post-election deals.’

Summary: Policy co-ordinator Jon Cruddas says it could 'disintegrate in real time' Party is languishing in polls as Labour voters defect to Greens or SNP . Donor says Mr Miliband's tuition fees policy will destabilise universities . Ed Balls refuses 13 times to rule out a post-election deal with the SNP .


The National Basketball Association is one of the pre-eminent sport Leagues in the world and every Thursday, Bleacher Report will bring you a round-up of all the action on and off court Stateside. Their five-star Mobile App 'Team Stream' helps you follow the NBA 24-7:DOWNLOAD NOW. Newsmaker . All of a sudden, the San Antonio Spurs own the Western Conference's longest winning streak. With a 117-107 thrashing of the Toronto Raptors, the Spurs have won six straight games behind the contributions of Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. Parker totaled 23 points and nine assists, which means he's surpassed the 20-point threshold in each of the Spurs' last three games. San Antonio are 11-2 when Parker compiles at least 20 points this season. Leonard, who posted 24 points, 11 rebounds and five steals, has a similar effect and the Spurs are now 7-0 over the last two seasons when he records a 20-10 game. Kawhi Leonard (front) dribbles against the Toronto Raptors during his side's 117-107 victory . Good Week . It's seemingly a nightly occurrence at this point, but LeBron James made franchise history again on Tuesday evening. En route to racking up eight assists, James passed Mark Price as the Cavaliers' all-time leader in assists. Opting to leave his headband in the locker room, James finished with 27 points (10-of-14 shooting), eight assists and seven rebounds as Cleveland's starting five trounced Dallas' lethargic line-up. Every Cavaliers starter finished with a plus/minus rating of plus-21 or better, and Timofey Mozgov (17 points) was the only member of that group to score fewer than 20 points. J.R. Smith and Kevin Love both scored 21, while Kyrie Irving added 22 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Cleveland are now one game clear of the third-seeded Chicago Bulls in the East. LeBron James has made history for the Cleveland Cavaliers, surpassing Mark Price's record for most assists . Bad Week . The Dallas Mavericks are in a world of hurt, and head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged as much following that loss to the Cavs. Over the past three weeks, Dallas has posted the worst net rating (minus-5.5) of any current Western Conference play-off qualifier. They are also scoring 96.6 points per 100 possessions which ranks 25th overall since the trade deadline. The Minnesota Timberwolves have recorded an offensive rating of 99.4 in that same span. Dallas still occupies the number seven seed in the West but Oklahoma City can shake things up in a big way if it takes care of business over the season's final month. The Mavs have a five game lead on the Thunder, but play OKC three more times in their final 16 games. Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (left) attempts a layup as Cleveland's Iman Shumpet (right) blocks . Bleacher Report's Mobile App 'Team Stream' helps you stay in the know with your favourite teams across a range of sports via hand-picked, curated sports stories from around the web. Get news for your teams all in one place and get real-time alerts for breaking stories. DOWNLOAD NOW. And

Summary: LeBron James surpassed Mark Price's all-time assists record for Cleveland . He racked up eight assists and seven rebounds against Dallas Mavericks . San Antonio Spurs have the Western Conference's longest winning streak . They beat the Toronto Raptors 117-107 to record their sixth straight win . Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler has revealed himself as a fan of Taylor Swift .


Arrested: Gina Louise Causey has been arrested for a false rape claim against a fictitious police officer . A Louisiana woman has been arrested after falsely claiming she was raped to hide from her husband the fact she had fallen pregnant through an extramarital affair say police. Gina Louise Causey, 40, was charged with criminal mischief after she arrived at Mandeville Police station with her husband on Tuesday crying rape. Causey spun an outlandish tale, claiming she was sexually assaulted by a police officer. She said he had raped several other women and he had caused her to become pregnant. According to Mandeville Police Cpl. Kevin Covert, her story was 'like something straight out of Hollywood'. She told police she was abducted at gunpoint in broad daylight while eating lunch at Mandeville lakefront. Her attacker then made her lie on the floor of his car and drove for 'only a minute or so' to a nearby house where he took her inside and raped her. Causey then said the fictitious rapist demanded she hand over her driver's license and he took a picture. He then put it into a box 'wtih several other women's driver's licenses' and told her if she went to the police he would know according to NOLA.com . Tall story: Casey said she was raped at the Mandeville lakefront on Tuesday by a police officer . The story was apparently too much for officers who doubted it from the start. They found inconsistencies with her time line and where she claimed to have been raped. When confronted Causey folded and admitted she made the whole thing up to hide an extramarital affair from her husband and that she had become pregnant. She has been booked on a misdemeanor charge and is unlikely to face jail time.

Summary: Gina Louise Causey was charged with criminal mischief but wont face jail .


Katie Hopkins has been reported to police by Labour MP Simon Danczuk over claims she incited racial hatred in tweets linking Pakistani men to the Rochdale child sex abuse scandal . Katie Hopkins has been reported to police by Labour MP Simon Danczuk over claims she incited racial hatred in tweets linking Pakistani men to the Rochdale child sex abuse scandal. Mr Danczuk, who represents the town, has asked the Police Commissioner of Greater Manchester Police, Tony Lloyd, to investigate whether a crime had been committed after comments made by the outspoken TV star on Twitter. Hopkins sent the tweets after Mr Danczuk attended the raising of a Pakistani flag over the town hall for half an hour on March 23 to mark Pakistan's National Day. She wrote: 'Raising a Pakistani flag in Rochdale is not helping community cohesion. it is inflammatory. @SimonDanczuk you & your party disgust me.' Outspoken Hopkins posted a series of messages to her account after the MP tweeted a picture of himself at the event. In response the controversial columnist sent a picture of eight men convicted of child exploitation offences, asking Mr Danczuk if they were his friends too. She wrote: 'Are these your friends too @SimonDanczuk? Is this why you are raising the Pakistani flag in Rochdale? 77 years inside.' 'Your Pakistani friends saw young white girls as fair game when they abused them,' she wrote in a separate post. 'Do NOT lecture me on community cohesion fool.' 'Raising a Pakistani flag in Rochdale is not helping community cohesion,' she added in another. 'It is inflammatory. @SimonDanczuk you & your party disgust me.' Explaining his decision to make the complaint, the MP said it was about the businesswoman 'inciting racial hatred'. He said: 'The letter is me asking the Police Commissioner to investigate whether a crime has been committed in relation to Katie Hopkins.' Hopkins is said to have started sending the tweets after Mr Danczuk attended the raising of a Pakistani flag over the town hall for half an hour on March 23 to mark Pakistan's National Day . He continued: 'It is not right that somebody who has little to do with Rochdale incited hatred of this kind. 'Rochdale is a very cohesive community - people work well together. 'Of course there are tensions, like there are in other communities, but people rub together really well and we don't need outsiders like Katie Hopkins to come in and cause trouble just for the sake of causing trouble and creating Sun headlines.' Mr Danczuk said Rochdale has faced up to the 'heinous crime' of child grooming 'in a way that's managed to keep our communities together'. He said: 'That's why Katie Hopkins' crass comments are not helpful. They are a clear attempt to divide communities, undo three years of hard work and make an unfair and racist generalisation that anyone of Pakistani origin is a child abuser. 'To equate the Pakistan flag with child abuse, as she has done on social media over the last week, is absurd and it creates a dangerous environment

Summary: Katie Hopkins has been reported to police by Labour MP Simon Danczuk . She tweeted linking Pakistani men to the Rochdale child sex abuse scandal . Comes after Mr Danczuk attended the raising of a Pakistani flag over the town hall on March 23 to mark Pakistan's National Day . In response the columnist sent a picture of eight men convicted of child exploitation offences, asking Mr Danczuk if they were his friends too .


Police have launched an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks on Twitter which were directed towards rugby referee Nigel Owens, they said. The comments were posted after he refereed the England v France international at Twickenham on Saturday, Dyfed-Powys Police said. Referee Nigel Owens looks at the scoreboard prior to awarding the try scored by Anthony Watson . Owens awards England's second try during the RBS Six Nations match against France at Twickenham . The force said in a statement: 'This follows a number of complaints made by members of the public. The tweet concerned has now been removed from the page. The investigation is at an early stage.' England scored seven tries in beating France 55-35 in a dramatic contest, but were unable to overturn a pre-match 26-point deficit as Ireland clinched the RBS 6 Nations title on points difference. Owens speaks to Chris Robshaw and Thierry Dusautoir during the RBS Six Nations match at Twickenham . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.

Summary: Police have launched an investigation into alleged homophobic remarks . Remarks were aimed at referee Nigel Owens on social media site Twitter . Owen refereed Saturday's England v France international at Twickenham . England scored seven tries in beating France 55-35 in a dramatic contest .


Ligue 1 top scorer Alexandre Lacazette will not be heading for the Barclays Premier League next season, if Olympique Lyonnais president Jean-Michel Aulas is to be believed. Lacazette has 21 league goals this season, more than any player in England's top division and only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the Europe-wide goalscorer rankings. And while the France international has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, his president at Lyon says there is no way their star man will be crossing the channel. Alexandre Lacazette has 21 goals this season and his club Lyon are reluctant to see their top hit man leave . The 23-year-old admitted that he could move on in the summer but Lyon's president has refuted that . Lacazette has been linked Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool but amid speculation of a summer departure, Aulas has confirmed he will be keeping hold of the striker. The 23-year-old told Lyon's TV channel on Thursday: 'I know that several clubs are watching me, but I will think about whether I want to leave or stay later on and then we shall see. 'At the moment I cannot say if I am staying or not, because if a club puts a certain amount of millions of euros on the table, the president will probably tell me to leave.' Lacazette (right) is a summer target of Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City but is unlikely to move . Aulas responded to the talk of Lacazette leaving on his Twitter account, saying: 'Impossible. He will be with us at the (new) Stade des Lumieres and in the Champions League.' Lyon lead the Ligue 1 table with 54 points from 27 games ahead of Chelsea's Champions League opponents Paris Saint-Germain.

Summary: Lyon president says Alexandre Lacazette will not be leaving this summer . Lacazette is top scorer in Ligue 1 with 21 goals so far this season . Only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have scored more across Europe . Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool are known admirers .


Every MP in the country is to get a brand new iPad after the general election, costing the tax payer £1million. The House of Commons Commission claimed that offering all 650 ministers a new laptop or iPad Air 2, would actually save money. Liberal Democrat John Thurso, who represents the commission in the chamber, said moving away from Apple's products would be too expensive. Caught in the act: Tory MP Nigel Mills was caught playing Candy Crush on his taxpayer-funded iPad last December . But Shadow Cabinet Office minister Chi Onwurah criticised the decision to lock MPs into the Apple operating system and told Computerworld UK she would have preferred a 'device agnostic' policy. 'As we saw with Nigel Mills and Candy Crush, MPs will be using the games, and the iTunes and other features on the iPad,' she added. 'Locking some of the most powerful people in the country into a platform that most of my constituents can't afford seems like a mistake. And that's without mentioning the tax avoidance issue. I'm pushing for a device independent digital platform for Parliament.' Liberal Democrat John Thurso claimed a move away from Apple's operating system would incur more costs . Apple iPads have been used across Parliament since a pilot scheme was launched in 2012. Currently 209 MPs have taxpayer-funded tablets with the understanding they use them for working while on the move in Parliament. But last December a Tory MP was caught playing a game on his iPad for more than two hours during a meeting. Nigel Mills escaped punishment after he admitted having a ‘game or two’ of Candy Crush and promised not to do it again. Mr Mills, the MP for Amber Valley in Derbyshire, was supposed to be listening to experts give evidence at a meeting of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee. He had initially said he would merely ‘try’ not to be diverted by the game again, but yesterday afternoon in a statement he said: ‘I guarantee it will not happen again. In 2013, the House of Commons Commission agreed to a recommendation from the administration committee that 'a tablet and a laptop should be the first pieces of equipment offered to all members after the 2015 election'. The Commission assessed a range of tablets with prices ranging from £100 to £600 and where they decided on the Apple iPad Air 2. The cost of supplying the new iPads would be £200,000 a year over the life of the next Parliament. Mr Thurso said the decision to buy the new gadgets was to avoid spending more money on training staff to use non-Apple systems and to reduce hard copy printing in favour of online publication which was already saving more than £3 million annually. The House of Commons Commission said that buying the 650 MPs an iPad Air 2 each, worth £499, will save money . 'Having been in use across Parliament since 2012, iPads are integrated with current business processes and infrastructure,' he said. 'A move away from the Apple operating system (iOS) at this time

Summary: Every MP in the country is to be offered a brand new iPad worth £499 each . The cost to the tax payer for the iPad Air 2s will be more than £1 million . But the House of Commons Commission claim the move is to save money .


It didn’t take long for us to get used to Googling things, instead of looking them up in books. But the process of typing words into a search box could be replaced by using the cameras on our smartphones to find the information we’re looking for. Blippar, the world’s largest image recognition and augmented reality platform, has re-launched its app to change the way we search for things and interact with the world around us. Scroll down for video . Blippar, the world’s largest image recognition and augmented reality platform has re-launched its app, which aims to change the way we search and interact with the physical world. Users can 'blipp objects, such as CDS and adverts to access information about them online and could soon blipp any object, such as apples (shown) Users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘look’ at any object and use the image to search for it online in the long-term. But to begin with, they will be able to use it on English-language album covers, fiction books, DVD covers and movie posters. When a user ‘blipps’ one of these items or images, they will be presented with a range of information about it. For example, if they blipp an album cover, they may be presented with access to videos of the band, a source to buy tickets to an upcoming concert, details on what people are saying about them on Twitter or photos of the band itself. Users have to launch the app on their phone. The new version will be out in April. They will see a view using the phone's camera, which will show any products that are 'blippable'. When an object is detected, users will see augmented reality content, which could take the form of a video, reviews or related information. The first blippable objects on the new app will be CDs, DVDs and film posters, but more will be added. However, the app’s plans are more ambitious. Blippar aims to make the entire physical world visually searchable via mobile devices and wearables. In the future, it aims to make everything blippable, from an apple or chocolate bar, to a dog on the street or even the Eiffel Tower. Web-based search as it exists today has dominated the digital experience, both online and mobile. From inputting keywords to digging through pages of links to access information, this search behaviour is limited by vocabulary and literacy. Blippar’s image recognition service aims to go beyond language to allow consumers to pull timely, relevant information directly from the environment around them. ‘The human imagination, curiosity and the quest for knowledge are all often limited by our capacity to define and assign language to describe and seek answers from the world around us’ said Blippar Founder and CEO Ambarish Mitra. Users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘look’ at any object and use the image to search for it, and related information online. The New York and London-based company has already rolled out inority report-style advertising. A

Summary: Free Blippar app will be refreshed in April to allow users to use their smartphone cameras to access information online . The long-term plan is that users will be able to use the camera on their smartphone to ‘look’ at any object, from apples to the Eiffel Tower . At launch, they will be able to 'blipp' CDs, books, DVDs and film posters . The service will give them access to videos, information and reviews .


Pilots with regional airline Regional Express are no longer allowed to use visual approaches to airports after one captain mistook a row of giant coal loaders for a runway, an air safety report has revealed. Crews must use navigational equipment - instead of relying on the human eye - after the incident near Newcastle's Williamtown airport, when Kooragang Island was mistaken for a landing strip, even though it is 19km away from the small terminal. From a pilots perspective Williamtown airport, left, has similar features to Kooragang Island, right. A report released on Friday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said air traffic controllers intervened just in time to direct the Rex plane back to Wiliamtown airport on November 8, 2013. The plane’s crew were given clearance to approach Williamtown at about 7.30pm. Soon after air traffic controllers noticed the descending plane was making a questionable left hand turn after passing Nobbys Head. A report found Williamtown airport, north east of Newcastle, was difficult to identify among other features on the ground . The captain is reported to have seen a ‘brightly lit row of buildings’ and believed them to be a part of the airport. At this stage the tower controller saw that the plane was ‘manoeuvring at a greater distance than usual from the runway’ and redirected the Sydney to Newcastle flight, not before it had descended to 450 metres off the ground. Same, same but different: The Kooragang Island industrial area is located 19 kilometers from the airport . After landing the pilot told authorities the airport was hard to identify as 'lighting conditions were darker than usual' due to 'cloud cover in the western sky.’ Regional Express pilots have since been told not to make a visual approach, instead using navigation equipment to pinpoint their positions. Banned: Rex airways have ruled out visual approaches after crew incorrectly identified Williamtown airport . The report also claims the pilot was effected by an undisclosed illness which left him fatigued. 'The captain later reported that he may not have been fully fit for duty and that, in hindsight, the illness may have affected his performance on the Newcastle Airport flight.' A report found Williamtown airport, north east of Newcastle, was difficult to identify among other features on the ground.

Summary: A plane almost landed on a coal loader after pilot mistook it for an airport . The Rex flight from Sydney to Newcastle had descended to 450m when air traffic controllers noticed it had veered off course . It was re-directed it to Williamtown, 19km away . A report into the 2013 incident found Williamtown airport is hard to identify from the sky . Subsequently, Rex pilots have been banned from using visual approaches and must use navigational equipment .


England captain Chris Robshaw is 'devastated' after his side ended up being RBS 6 Nations runners-up at the weekend. The Harlequins openside was understandably disappointed not to get his hands on the trophy after an extraordinary final day as the Red Rose fell six points short of the required total, despite beating France 55-35 at Twickenham on Saturday evening. Instead it was Ireland who retained the title, with their 40-10 triumph over Scotland enough to overhaul a tough target set by Wales with their 61-20 win over Italy on what is already being touted as the greatest day in the competition's history. A dejected Chris Robshaw leaves the field at Twickenham having given it his all against France - he has since said he is 'devastated' with second place in the Six Nations championship . Robshaw is left devastated after his side ended up being RBS 6 Nations runners-up against despite France win . England flanker Robshaw and France flanker Thierry Dusautoir speak with referee Nigel Owens . Robshaw shakes hands with Referee Owens at the end of the RBS Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium . Such plaudits mean little to Robshaw, who is now determined to use the disappointment as fuel for a tilt at the World Cup on home soil later this year. 'I am devastated,' Robshaw told several national newspapers. 'Once again to fall short on points is tough to take. We went out and gave it our all but unfortunately came up short again.' Scott Spedding is tackled by Jonathan Joseph during the RBS Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium . Bernard Le Roux is tackled by Luther Burrell during the RBS Six Nations match between England and France . Jules Plisson, Robshaw, Loann Goujon and Luther Burrell all challenge for the ball at Twickenham . The back-rower was at pains to point out that it was not the failure to get the 26-point victory they needed against France that was the most costly factor in their doomed bid for the northern hemisphere crown. 'It didn't come down to this game,' he added. 'If we'd been more clinical and taken more points against Scotland and been better defensively against Italy it would have been different. 'We are not where we want to be. We want to be champions. But to score 50 points against France, considering they had only conceded two tries all tournament, was a great scoreline and really showed our intent.' Billy Vunipola is tackled by the French defence during the RBS Six Nations match at Twickenham Stadium . Courtney Lawes is helped up by Benjamin Kayser at the end of the RBS Six Nations match . With England the host nation at this autumn's tussle for the Webb Ellis Cup, the Twickenham support could make a huge difference to their bid and Robshaw was quick to praise the fans for their efforts at the weekend. 'I think it was the loudest I have ever heard Twickenham - the place was rocking and that is what we want,' he said. 'We are playing very well

Summary: England finished second for the fourth year in a row despite France win . The Red Rose were six points short of the required total to come top . Instead Ireland retained their title with impressive 40-10 win over Scotland . Final day is already being touted as the greatest in competition's history .


Jason Cuellar, 44, is accused of hitting a man over the head with a bottle 'because he was black' A central Florida man faces hate crime charges after authorities say he told a man the bar they were in wasn't for blacks and hit him with a bottle. Forty-four-year-old Jason Cuellar was brought to the Volusia County Jail following the Friday night incident. Deputies say 24-year-old Kenneth Hodge was at the Hideout Lounge when Cuellar, who is white, told him 'this bar is not for blacks.' The Daytona Beach News-Journal reports Hodge ignored the comment. A Volusia County sheriff's report says Cuellar then grabbed a beer bottle and hit Hodge on the head, cutting him. The report says Hodge wrestled Cuellar to the ground but he got away. Several bar patrons tried to stop him but Cuellar allegedly used pepper spray in their eyes . Cueller managed to escape the bar at first but police caught up with him as he was riding as a passenger in a friend's car. Friend Ellis Lloyd told police he was driving Cueller home because he called him to say he had pepper sprayed multiple people at the bar. 'The aggravated battery charge was reclassified to one degree higher due to the hate crime allegation,' investigating deputies wrote in the police report. Jail records don't indicate whether he has a lawyer. Alleged hate crime: Deputies say 24-year-old Kenneth Hodge was at the Hideout Lounge when Cuellar, who is white, told him 'this bar is not for blacks'

Summary: Forty-four-year-old Jason Cuellar allegedly told Kenneth Hodge, 24, he was not allowed at Hideout Lounge because 'he is black' Cuellar supposedly then grabbed a beer bottle and hit Hodge on the head, cutting him . Cops say Hodge wrestled Cuellar to the ground but he got away .


Patients at a hospital A&E department are being forced to parade details of their conditions on laminated signs. They are assessed by staff when they arrive, then given a red card if their illness is serious or a green one for less urgent issues, with a two or three-word summary of their ailment. These are designed to speed up staff assessments as patients wait for treatment, but the trial scheme has been described as ‘insensitive’ and like ‘a police line-up’. Elizabeth Reid, 49, has criticised a hospital after she was forced to wear a sign detailing her condition while waiting for treatment . It means those with alcohol, mental health and gynaecological problems, and others who might prefer to keep their conditions private, could be at risk of losing patient confidentiality. Elizabeth Reid, 49, said she was appalled when she went to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, and was given a green card detailing her ankle injury after she was assessed by a nurse. ‘I didn’t mind much for me as I had hurt my ankle,’ she added. ‘But I thought it was disgusting that patients with alcohol problems or mental health issues had to carry cards that showed everyone what was wrong with them.’ The mother of five from Chelmsford has complained to hospital bosses about the scheme. She said for those ‘carrying signs saying they had alcohol problems, it just smacked of them being marked out – it was like a police line-up’. Mrs Reid added: ‘The poor man in front of me was looking after his teenage daughter, who had alcohol poisoning, and everyone could see what was wrong with her. ‘I could see why every single person in the queue was there – and we had to wait in a line that went past lots of people sitting down waiting, so they could all see what was wrong with us too. It’s really poor for patient confidentiality.’ Hospital bosses at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, said it was designed to speed up staff assessments . She suggested it would be possible to obscure the details written on the cards, leaving the colour visible for staff, but said patients coming into A&E might be too distressed or distracted to think of doing this. ‘The people who come in are panicking or in pain,’ she added. ‘They could see anyone they know as it’s a local hospital, and they have to carry these cards showing what’s wrong with them.’ Another woman who visited the hospital said: ‘I had a laminated card and actually laughed at the insensitivity. I had a very negative experience, having just moved here from another county, and as a nurse myself was quite disheartened with the overall care I received at a sensitive time to myself and my family.’ The trust responsible for the hospital has defended the scheme, saying it will lead to quicker assessment times. The trial scheme has been described as ‘insensitive’ and like ‘a police line-up’ (picture posed by models) Dr Donald McGeachy, medical director of the Mid-Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

Summary: Patients at Broomfield Hospital are given a card with summary of ailment . The card is red if their illness is serious or green for less urgent issues . Hospital bosses said it was designed to speed up staff assessments . But trial scheme was described as ‘insensitive’ and like ‘a police line-up'


Two assailants armed with knives attacked people outside Guangzhou Railway Station in southern China on Friday, injuring nine. Police shot one of the suspects, who died on site, said a report carried by People’s Daily. A second suspect who was injured was captured and detained. Police control the site after the knife attack outside the Guangzhou Railway Station . Investigators check the scene after the attack which left nine people injured with stab wounds . The attack left nine injured and one assailant shot dead . The incident was still under investigation and a motive has not been determined, police said. The nine injured are in stable condition under hospital care. The station has gone back to normal order according to People’s Daily. Photos and video posted on social media reportedly showed the attack took place in a square outside the station. Armed paramilitary policemen stand guard in front of the Guangzhou Railway Station after the attack . One video showed a man hacking near a vendor stall with a cleaver while a security officer approached with a long baton. Several photos showed blood smeared in several places on the rain-soaked pavement. A knife attack at a train station in the southern city of Kunming about a year ago claimed 29 lives. Authorities blamed separatists from the western province of Xinjiang. Guangzhou Train Station is the largest train station in southern China, handling some 120,000 passengers daily during the past Chinese New Year, according to Chinese media. Guangzhou Railway Station is one of the largest and busiest train stations in China . Police seal off the scene after the attack .

Summary: Motive of the assailants has not been determined . Attack took place outside Guangzhou Railway Station, one of the country’s busiest train stations . A similar knife attack in Kunming claimed 29 lives .


Greedy rail firms are charging customers up to £215 per day to park at city centre stations in what has been branded 'daylight robbery' by union bosses. The 'outrageous' parking charges amount to a 'stealth tax' on train travel adding up to 50 per cent of the total cost in some areas, according to the TSSA Rail union. The worst offenders were Birmingham New Street, Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Piccadilly and Leeds, all of which charge £215 for a 12-hour stay. Liverpool Lime Street station was named among the most expensive for parking in the country, forcing customers to pay £215 for a 12-hour stay . Union bosses accused train companies of using parking charges, such as the £215-per-day fare at Birmingham New Street, as a way to get around rail fare price caps issued by the Government . The most expensive annual parking tickets are Birmingham Snow Hill at £3003.30, Reading at £1805.50, Guildford at £1,800 and Cambridge at £1,596.30. These parking charges are on top of hefty annual season ticket prices such as from Reading to London at £4,796, Cambridge to London at £4,648 and from Guildford to London at £3,248. Figures released today also show that transport companies and Network Rail are making £800million a year from non-railway charges including parking and catering. Per 12-hour stay . Birmingham New Street - £215 . Liverpool Lime Street - £215 . Manchester Piccadilly - £215 . Leeds - £215 . Per year . Birmingham Snow Hill - £3,003 . Reading - £1,805 . Guilford - £1,800 . Cambridge - £1,596 . Union bosses claimed companies were using the extortionate charges as a way to get around the caps on rail fares which are imposed by the government each year. The report says: 'Rip off rail firms have been profiteering at passengers expense by hiking 'back door' car parking increases to by-pass inflation only curbs on fare rises. 'Network Rail and the private rail firms are charging as much as £215 for day long stays at city centre rail car parks while also charging as much as £3,000 for annual parking tickets.' Union general secretary Manuel Cortes said: 'Rail passengers are being caught in the cross fire by these greedy rail firms. 'They can charge what they like for parking because, unlike key rail fares, there is no Government cap, it is a free for all.' He added: 'Charging over £200 for all day parking in station car parks at Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds is little short of daylight robbery. 'And charging over £3,000 for an annual parking ticket at Snow Hill in Birmingham is simply outrageous, that's as much as many commuters pay for their annual season ticket.' Mr Cortes said: 'Parking charges as high as £1,800 at commuter hot spots like Guildford and Reading were effectively putting another 40 per cent to 50 per cent parking tax on top of annual season tickets which are already way too high. 'Ministers may have limited regulated fare rises this year to 2.2per cent this year but passengers have still got both barrels

Summary: Liverpool Lime Street and Leeds station also charge £215 for 12-hour stay . Some annual car parking tickets added 50 per cent to cost of travel card . Union bosses say firms using 'back door' charges to get around fare caps .


A woman has been left ‘gobsmacked’ after a camera, packed with memories of her once in a lifetime trip to Antarctica, is on its way back to her after she lost it three months ago on a snowy iceberg. Photographer Hulia Boz, from Sydney, was on an impromptu two-week holiday to the remote region costing around $13,000 after being invited along by friends who had a spare place on their trip. She’d loaded her iPad up with episodes of American comedian Ellen DeGeneres’s chat show to entertain her while travelling to Antarctica and had been watching a Robin Williams episode with her fellow travellers in the moments before she lost her camera. Packed around her tiny screen on a remote iceberg, surrounded by nothing but ice, snow, penguins and seals, Ms Boz and her tour group then decided to record a message to Ellen on her white Canon camera. ‘We spent an open night on an iceberg, the only thing around us were penguins and seals lazing around. I took the camera out of my pocket and said “everyone let’s do a very Merry Christmas from Antarctica to Ellen because she’s entertaining us at the bottom of the earth”,’ Ms Boz explained. 'Nothing like a selfie to help identify a lost camera!': This is the distinctive photo that helped tour operator staff identify Hulia Boz from the photos on her lost camera . Moments after recording the festive message on December 12, on day seven of her trip to Earth's southernmost continent, Ms Boz got up to go to the ‘bathroom’. ‘You’ve got to build a wall from ice to go to the toilet. I went to do my wee and the camera must have fallen out of my pocket, I didn’t realise,’ she said. The 34-year-old was unaware that she’d lost her white camera in the snow until she boarded the ship the next day and began unpacking her belongings. ‘The ship started to pull away and I thought “where is the camera? Where is the camera?” and we thought “no we were going to send it to Ellen!”,’ Ms Boz laughed. The story of how Ms Boz is now being reunited with her camera, which was white and camouflaged in the snow, is nothing short of a miracle. Before departing on the ship to Antarctica, Ms Boz and the rest of her tour group had mugshots taken at the port in Ushuaia, Argentina – the southernmost city in the world - where they sailed from. All tourists heading to Antarctica have these photos taken so they can be officially identified if need be. Photographer Hulia Boz, from Sydney, was on an impromptu two-week holiday to Antarctica when she lost her camera. She took the white Canon camera along on her trip so she could capture 'silly' photos and used her professional cameras for landscape photography . This picture shows Hulia's friend cosying up with a seal in Antarctica. Her friend took photos on her camera and shared them with Hulia when her camera was lost . She was lucky enough

Summary: Photographer Hulia Boz, from Sydney, travelled to Antarctica via Argentina in December . She lost her white camera, which she was using to take fun selfies, on day seven of the two week trip . She only learned it had fallen out of her pocket once she was back on the ship . Now three months later her camera is being returned to her after another tourist found it on the same iceberg . Moments before she lost it Ms Boz had recorded a Christmas message to chat show host Ellen DeGeneres . 'I am one lucky person who is grateful and overwhelmed by this all. Miracles do happen,' Ms Boz said .


The NHS is owed £62million by so-called 'health tourists' who have yet to settle their bills, despite receiving thousands of pounds worth of care in Britain's hospitals. The bill, built up over five years and across 40 different trusts, suggests previous estimates on the amount owed were far below the mark. The NHS is thought to act as a magnet to people from overseas because it will always care for someone who needs urgent treatment. The bill, built up over five years and across 40 different trusts, suggests previous estimates on the amount owed were far below the mark . An investigation by the Sunday Times has found people who owe money for dialysis, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. The newspaper revealed King's College Hospital is owed a staggering £17,852,037 - more than £10million more than Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Foundation, which has then second highest amount outstanding. One person alone is understood to owe more than £420,000 at Guy's and St Thomas' for treatment for hemophilia. The investigation also uncovered a new mother who posed alongside Health Minister Daniel Poulter to mark the reopening of a maternity ward has yet to pay the bill she incurred. Caroline Nyadzayo, 34, owes £3,000, more than two years after she gave birth at Norfolk and Norwich University Trust. The size of the unpaid bill comes as the NHS is forced to make a series of unpopular decisions to save money as it struggles to balance its budget. King's College Hospital, pictured, is owed a staggering £17,852,037 - far more than any other trust . This week, it was revealed the Cancer Drugs Fund for England had cut 19 life-extending treatments, because they cost too much. Similarly, new guidelines from Nice suggest doctors start prescribing medication to people with type 2 diabetes which experts have warned will 'put the NHS back a decade' - all because the ones currently prescribed are too expensive.

Summary: King's College Hospital, London, is owed a staggering £17,852,037 . One foreign patient owes more than £420,000 for treatment for haemophilia . Comes as the NHS is looking to cut costs in the service it provides .


A Boston woman has been indicted with . fraudulently obtaining $8,000 from the fund set up for victims . of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, and thousands more from . other fundraising, officials said on Thursday. Investigators found that Joanna Leigh, 41, was at the Boston . Marathon on April 15, 2013 when two bombs exploded, killing . three people and injuring more than 260, but they argued that . she was not injured, the Boston Police Department said in a . statement. Leigh was indicted earlier this month by a Suffolk County . grand jury on five larceny counts and a charge of making a false . claim to the government, the police department said. Charged: Investigators said Joanna Leigh, 41, was at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 when two bombs exploded, , but they have argued that she was not injured . It said Leigh received $8,000 from The One Fund Boston, . which raised nearly $80 million in the aftermath of the attack. She also received a combined $28,700 from a middle school . fundraiser, an online campaign and the Massachusetts Victims of . Violent Crime Compensation fund, according to the police . statement. The news comes as the trial of accused bomber, 21-year-old . Dzhokhar Tsarnaev takes place in Boston. Tsarnaev could be . sentenced to death if he is convicted. Police said Leigh did not seek medical treatment for about . two weeks after the bombing, and when she did, she called . herself a 'hero' who ran toward the second explosion. 'At a time when most people were asking how they could help, . others were wondering how they could benefit,' Suffolk County . District Attorney Daniel Conley was quoted as saying in the . police statement. Leigh claims the charges are punishment for criticism of The One Fund Boston over its compensation policies . Leigh, who is set to be arraigned on Monday, told the Boston . Globe newspaper that she was injured in the blast, and that the . charges were punishment for her criticizing The One Fund Boston . over its compensation policies. 'I don't think this is about me; I think this is because I . spoke out about The One Fund,' she told the Globe. 'I think this . is about killing the messenger. I went after the governor and . the mayor's charity, and I didn't shut up about it, and I caused . them trouble.' Several others have also been charged with theft from the . fund. In January a woman from Maine was arrested on charges of . scamming $8,000 from The One Fund, and a New York woman was . sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty last . May to fraudulently collecting $480,000 from the fund.

Summary: Joanna Leigh, 41, was at the Boston Marathon on April 15, 2013 . Investigators claim she wasn't injured in the explosions that killed three and injured more than 260 . Police say she did not seek medical treatment for about two weeks . Leigh blames the charges as punishment for criticizing The One Fund Boston over its compensation policies .


A seaside town and a London borough are bucking a nationwide trend of ageing which will see the average age of the population hit its forties by 2037. Towns and cities across the country are getting older, thanks to people living longer, with half of those born after 2007 expected to live to over 100. While the average age of the population will be 43 in 2037, up from 36 in 1992, the the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, and the seaside town of Bournemouth in Dorset, populations are getting younger. In Barking, the average age is set to drop from 34 to 33.4 during the 45 year period- thanks to rising birth rates and the influx of young Londoners with families looking to get on the housing ladder. By 2037, a quarter of all residents in the borough will be under 16 years old. The county of Dorset has one of the oldest populations in the UK - Christchurch where almost 31 per cent of the population are pensioners- and one of the few places where the population is getting younger - Bournemouth where the age is due to drop from 41.3 to 41. Bournemouth (pictured) is one of only two places in the UK where the age of the population is due to drop by 2037 . The fastest ageing areas were in rural Scotland where Eilean Siar (pictured) in the Western Isles's average age of 38.5 is set to increase to 55.7 - a 31 per cent increase . The past decade has seen an influx of young professionals and migrants to the seaside town. Britain's towns and cities are getting older as a national trend of ageing is set to put the UK's average age at 43 . The fastest ageing areas were in rural Scotland where Eilean Siar in the Western Isles's average age of 38.5 is set to increase to 55.7 - a 31 per cent increase. It will mean there will be fewer than one in seven will be under 16 by 2037. Inverclyde's population will age by 5.3 years while Clackmannanshire, the third fastest ageing location, will increase from a median of 35.4 to 49.5. Experts are now warning that the rapidly ageing populations in rural Scotland could mean services such as doctors and schools come under threat. Professor Robert Wright, a population expert at Strathclyde University, told The Independent: . 'The issue is that depopulation and rapid population ageing of more-remote regions means that it will become too expensive to provide services needed by an ageing population. Basically, people will need to move to receive them.' The oldest parts towns and cities in Britain will be Rother in Sussex, and north Norfolk, where the median age will exceed 57 by 2037. In contrast, the areas of the UK which are slowest to age include Southampton, Bristol, Nottingham and Norwich. Location 1992 2037 . Eilean Siar (Western Isles) 38.5 55.7 . Inverclyde 35.9 51.2 . Clackmannanshire 35.4 49.5 . Rutland 37 51.7 . Suffolk Coastal 39.3 55 . Shetland Islands 34.7 47.9 .

Summary: General population trend will normally see average age increase by 2037 . Within 45 years, population in Inverclyde will age by 5.3 years to 51.2 . But in London the average age in Barking will have dropped from 34 to 33.4 . The seaside town of Bournemouth population will decrease from 41.3 to 41 . Town with the oldest population in the UK is Christchurch in Dorset .


A woman came home from her local markets with more than she bargained for after unexpectedly giving birth on the grass amidst dozens of busy stalls. Kashelle Knox, 28, hadn't been expecting her second child to arrive for another ten days but the Brisbane mother from Fairfield told Daily Mail Australia that she knew it was time while waiting in a queue for food at the Boundary Street Markets. 'After a few contractions I was like, this baby is coming now whether I like it or not,' Mrs Knox said. Pictured in an ambulance after giving birth, Kashelle Knox unexpectedly went into labour while out for some dinner at the Boundary Street Markets . She gave birth to a baby boy, almost two weeks before her due date, as 3,500 market attendees looked on . Market manager David Bostock said he was informed by paramedics that a woman was delivering a baby beside the Wurst-Meister market stalls and a café (pictured) 'I called my midwife and got my friend to call my husband to come and pick me up. We knew this one was going to be faster than my first [child birth], but not that fast.' Mrs Knox gave birth within half an hour. By the time paramedics made it to the scene, the baby's head had already appeared and by the time her husband made his way over, his wife was presenting him with their newborn son. Market manager David Bostock told Daily Mail Australia that there were over 3,500 people at the market with 'music was playing in the background' when Mrs Knox gave birth. 'I was closing a stall up when an ambulance drove up the driveway and I rushed out thinking someone was in trouble. The paramedic said someone was delivering a baby beside the Wurst-Meister shop and the café,' Mr Bostock said. Mrs Knox's waters broke just after a friend arrived to take her home: 'That's when my midwife recommended I move to a quiet corner and so I moved five metres away and had the baby,' she said . Mrs Knox gave birth within half an hour. By the time paramedics made it to the scene, the baby's head had already appeared and by the time her husband made his way over, his wife was presenting him with their son . Her husband, Andrew (pictured with his newborn son), struggled to find someone to take care of the couple's first child so he could rush to his wife's side . 'People took their shirts off and were handing her towels and now they're all hanging on the market fence on coat hangers all ironed and pressed with beautifully written thank you notes saying 'thank you very much for helping and supporting the birth of our baby'. Mrs Knox admitted that while shy at first, and desperate for her husband to be there for the birth, she was forced to accept the circumstances. 'I told my friend I was feeling a bit funny, I was a bit nauseous, and as we were lining up for food

Summary: Kashelle Knox was queuing up for food when she started to feel nauseous . In half an hour the 28 year old gave birth among a 3,500-strong crowd . Market-goers donated their shirts to the mother of two . Paramedics and her husband arrived at the scene shortly after the birth .


A cheating husband nearly had his penis bitten off by his wife’s younger friend when he allegedly tried to persuade her to have sex with him. Florin Ionita, 53, had been at a picnic at a park in Chisinau, Moldova, with his spouse and a group of friends - before she took some of them home, leaving him alone with the 24-year-old woman. But when wife Maria Ionita, 49, returned to collect him 30 minutes later, she claimed to have found him clutching his genitals and moaning in pain, telling her: ‘Call an ambulance, it is going to fall off.’ Treatment: Maria Ionita, 49, with her husband Florin, 53, at hospital after he had his penis bitten by her friend . Aid: A nurse at the hospital where Mr Ionita was treated after the incident after a picnic at a park in Chisinau . Mrs Ionita said: ‘I was at a picnic with my husband and some friends and I left to take some of them home in our car, leaving him behind with one friend. ‘When I came back I saw him with his trousers around his ankles clutching his private parts and saying “Call an ambulance, it is going to fall off”.’ After demanding to know what had happened, Mrs Ionita was allegedly told that her husband had tried to force himself on her friend, but she had bitten his penis after he pulled down his trousers. Mrs Ionita added: ‘I have forgiven him as he was only trying to do what all men try to do - but when I called the ambulance I didn't do it too fast, and I told them not to hurry.’ Agonising: The friend reported Mr Ionita to police in Moldova, accusing him of attempting to assault her . She also claimed to have given the ambulance drivers unclear directions to the area of the park in which her husband was waiting in agony. The friend reported Mr Ionita to police, accusing him of attempting to assault her. After being released from hospital he will be questioned - and faces up to five years in jail if charged and convicted over what happened. Mr Ionita told his wife after the incident: ‘I just wanted to pass the time pleasantly.’ A Chisinau Police spokesman said the woman told officers that Mr Ionita had tried to force himself on her - and biting him appeared to be the only way to make him lose interest in her.

Summary: Florin Ionita, 53, had been at park picnic in Moldova with wife and friends . But Maria, 49, left him alone with one friend, 24, while taking home others . Returned to find husband clutching his penis amid fears it would 'fall off' Friend reported Mr Ionita to police, accusing him of attempted assault .