Arsenal's 18-year-old German-born midfielder Gedion Zelalem will go straight into the USA national team if FIFA grant him eligibility, coach Jurgen Klinsmann told reporters on Thursday. Zelalem was born in Berlin and played for Germany at youth level and was also eligible to play for Ethiopia through his parents. However the player has expressed a desire to play for the United States and gained U.S. citizenship in December, opening the door to a potential switch pending permission from the world governing body. VIDEO Scroll down to see Zelalem score an amazing basket for Thierry Henry . Gedion Zelalem in action for Arsenal against Galatasaray in the Champions League in December 2014 . 'He is a special case. I think he is already at a level that he can definitely play with the senior team,' Klinsmann told reporters. Although Zelalem has yet to feature in a Premier League game for Arsenal he is seen as one of the most exciting prospects in the club's youth ranks. He made his first-team debut in the FA Cup win over Coventry City in January last year and made another appearance from the bench in the Champions League game away to Galatasaray in December 2014. USA head coach Jurgen Klinsmann hopes that FIFA grants Zelalem permission to play for his side . Klinsmann did not rule out the midfielder being given a slot in one of the U.S. youth teams at some stage but said he wanted to see him with the first team initially. 'Definitely I would like to see him with me first. I want to see how he interacts with the whole group and what level he is in. For the next dates, I am totally open to have him in the Under-23s,' he said. Zelalem lived in the United States from 2006 until 2013 when he joined London club Arsenal. Zelalem, playing for the Gunners during his debut last year against Coventry, lived in the USA from 2006-13 . FIFA rules, designed to stop players from being granted citizenship for entirely football reasons, require players to live in a country for five years after their 18th birthday before they are eligible. The U.S. is hopeful of being granted a waiver in the case of Zelalem, given that his move to the country as a schoolboy had nothing to do with soccer. Klinsmann continues to look for other dual-nationals to strengthen his squad, with Mexican team Club America's Phoenix-born defender Ventura Alvarado and Leon goalkeeper William Yarbrough also on his radar. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger (left) has voiced high praise of promising midfielder Zelalem (right)

Summary: USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann wants the 18-year-old to play for his side . Arsenal's German-born midfielder played for Germany at youth level . Zelalem gained U.S. citizenship in December but needs FIFA's permission . 18-year-old has yet to feature in a Premier League game for Arsenal .


Portugal manager Fernando Santos has revealed his desire to sew up qualification for Euro 2016 before their return trip to face Serbia in a tricky tie in Belgrade on the final day of qualifying. Santos' side face Serbia at Lisbon's Estadio da Luz on Sunday, hoping that star man and captain Cristiano Ronaldo can help open up a gap on one of their rivals for a place at the finals in France next summer. With a win offering the Portuguese a chance to leapfrog Denmark at the top of the group, Santos wants to take what he sees as a key step towards sealing qualification. Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Fernando Santos (right) talk ahead of Portugal's Euro 2016 qualifier on Sunday . Santos has made it clear that the game against Serbia is very important to their qualification hopes . Ronaldo took the chance to show off during training as Portugal went through their paces on Saturday . Speaking after training, Santos said: 'The game is not decisive but it is very important. We depend only on ourselves, and if we win we get to depend only of us in an even stronger way. In this sense it is a very important game. 'The desire is to go to Belgrade (when they face Serbia on October 11) with qualification from the group already guaranteed.' Ronaldo has scored both of low-scoring Portugal's two goals in qualifying so far, securing late wins over Denmark and Armenia after a shock opening-fixture defeat by Albania. The Ballon d'Or winner has come under some criticism for his Real Madrid performances of late but looked full of confidence out on the pitch as his side went through their final preparations for Sunday's game. The Portuguese talisman looks away as he prepares to fire a pass away from the goalmouth . Ronaldo pulls off a flick as some of his team-mates watch on at the Antonio Coimbra da Mota stadium . Keeping an eye on the ball, Ronaldo prepares to pull off another trick in preparation for facing Serbia . Despite Serbia's poor record in qualifying so far - taking just one point from three games - they do boast a number of stars from Europe's top divisions, including Chelsea pair Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic as well as Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic. However, Santos said that he would not be preparing his players to give any 'special attention' to any opposition players. 'There will be no special care for anyone,' he said. 'Portugal respects all of their players, Matic, (Zoran) Tosic, Markovic, I won't go on as I would have to name them all. 'As I told the players in this morning's meeting, the important thing is for us to be compact and dynamic.' Manchester United's Nani, who is spending the season on loan at Sporting Lisbon, joined in with the tricks . Serbia trained at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday as they looked to revive their qualification hopes . The current state of play in Group I, showing how Portugal can top the group with victory

Summary: Portugal can move top of qualification group I with a win over Serbia . Victory would move them eight points clear of Sunday's opponents . Manager Fernando Santos wants to qualify for Euro 2016 early on . Cristiano Ronaldo will be the key man, and he was showing off in training . READ: Euro 2016 state of play, Portugal have work to do to qualify .


As heir to the Formula 1 empire, Tamara Ecclestone's childhood was no doubt a luxurious one. And it seems that she wants the same for her daughter Sophia, who celebrated turning one today with a lavish and extravagant birthday party in her honour. Tamara, 30, and husband Jay Rutland clearly wanted to give their only daughter a first birthday to remember - and they pulled out all the stops by creating 'Sophia's farmyard' in the garden of their London mansion. Scroll down for video . Happy birthday, Sophia! Tamara Ecclestone and Jay Rutland celebrated daughter Sophia's first birthday by creating a farmyard for the tiny tot in the garden of their London mansion . Birthday girl: Tamara uploaded a snap of her firstborn wearing custom-made pyjamas on Instagram with the words: 'Happy birthday angel no words could ever describe how much I love you so proud of the beautiful little lady you are the light of my life' Zebras, sheep, puppies and ponies were just some of the animals that were seen arriving at the family home, which had been kitted out with pink balloons crafted into 'S' shapes in honour of the youngster. Each animal had its very own station complete with a gazebo and pink name sign and a balloon artist was also seen making his way into the family home. On Tuesday morning, Tamara uploaded a snap of her firstborn wearing custom-made pajamas on Instagram. The picture of the tiny tot wearing the outfit, which was emblazoned with her name and the number '1', was captioned with the words: 'Happy birthday angel no words could ever describe how much I love you so proud of the beautiful little lady you are the light of my life.' Fit for a princess: The entrance to the house was transformed into a balloon castle emblazoned with giant 'S' letters in the child's honour . Welcome to the farmyard: Each animal had its own station complete with a pink sign with its name on and a princess crown . Enjoying her special day: Tamara's little daughter Sophia seemed to be enjoying her special day in this Instagram shot of her playing with her new presents . Which was is the party? Guests and animal experts made their way into the event armed with little puppies on leads . Disneyland comes to London: Tamara even invited a real life princess along to join in the celebrations at her family home . Speaking about the event, Steven Duggan, who didn't organise this event but has organised events for the likes of Elton John and Adele, believes the event could have cost around £70,000. He said: 'This is a beautiful setting for Sophia on her birthday. 'We have done similar 1st birthday parties for high end clientele like Tamara Ecclestone before where our clients spent upwards of £70,000. It's a first birthday, if you can spoil them why not! It looks magical; a perfect fairytale party!'. Formerly of the party-girl persuasion, Tamara is embracing a more quiet life with open arms, confessing that 'parenting is so

Summary: Tamara Ecclestone and Jay Rutland created a farmyard in their garden with an array of animals . Entrance to the family home was decorated with giant pink 'S' balloons and security guards carried giant presents in . Sophia was seen on Instagram wearing a custom-made outfit in honour of her first birthday . Celebrity party planner, who has organised similar events, estimates that it cost £70,000 .


Doug Jandebeur may have lost his wallet to a common thief, but he won the fight. The 84-year-old army veteran was getting into his pickup truck outside his business in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Monday night, when a robber who was waiting for him attacked from behind. The young man punched Jandebeur in the face and managed to grab his wallet. However, as car park CCTV shows, Jandebeur was no victim. Scroll down for video . Incoming: Police in Tulsa, Oklahoma, are searching for this man, who appeared to be waiting in a car park to attack 84-year-old Doug Jandebeur on Monday night . Approach: As this CCTV shows, the suspect approached Jandebeur from behind as he got into his truck . Attack: The robber grabs Jandebeur and punches him in the face, grabbing his wallet from his pocket . Running scared: However the thief is sent packing after the army vet spins around with his gun . As Jandebeur explained to Fox News: 'I pulled out my automatic and was getting ready to ventilate him. 'Once he saw my gun, he decided it was time to leave.' Jandebeur said his wife was actually sitting in the passenger seat of his truck waiting for him . He said he was concerned for both of them. However he is thankful to have had his gun, and that his business is situated in a gun zone. 'Anybody that doesn't arm themselves is asking for trouble,' he said. Fighter: Doug Jandebeur, 84, an army veteran, believe's that anyone who doesn't carry a gun is 'asking for trouble'. He was attacked on Monday night . Police in Tulsa are now using the CCTV to try and determine who the suspect is. Jandebeur suffered a bruised jaw from the hit, and lost his wallet, but is otherwise ok. Anyone with information on the man is advised to call Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS.

Summary: Doug Jandebeur, 84, was attacked leaving his business in Tulsa, Oklahoma . A robber had been waiting for him, punching Jandebeur in the face . However the thief was scared off when Jandebeur produced his gun . The suspect remains at large and still managed to get Jandebeur's wallet .


Design heiress Margherita Missoni has just unveiled her new children's clothing collection, but don't expect it to be over-the-top extravagant. The 32-year-old Italy-based mom, who has an 18-month-old son, Otto, with husband Eugenio Amos and is currently expecting her second child, made sure the line, dubbed simply Margherita, was comfortable, practical and affordable. Asked by Yahoo! Style whether she felt under 'pressure' to dress Otto in the manner of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's one-year-old daughter North West, she responded: 'No. Not at all. You have all your life to be an adult, and to dress like one - you should be a child for as long as you can.' Scroll down for video . In bloom: Pregnant design heiress Margherita Missoni, who has just unveiled her new children's clothing collection, pictured at the launch in Paris last week . Both toddlers: Asked whether she felt under 'pressure' to dress her son Otto (left) in the manner of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's daughter North West (right), she responded, 'No. Not at all' Margherita, whose collection launches today on Yoox and Nordstrom, also remarked that she loves children's clothes precisely because they are 'different' from adult clothes, and quipped she would love to be able to wear rompers herself. Kim Kardashian, on the other hand, has delighted in parading North West from front row to front row at this season's biggest fashion shows, often matching her daughter's audacious attire with her own. Notably, she dragged a rather miserable looking North West to a show at New York Fashion Week last month dressed in a silver fox fur coat, estimated to be worth more than $3,500, and donning a black fur herself. Nori, as she is affectionately known by her friends and family, has also been used as a model for the Kardashian sisters' own childrenswear line; in September 2014 she was seen wearing a leatherette mini skirt from the range while attending Paris Fashion Week with her parents. That's more like it: The 32-year-old Italy-based mom made sure the line, dubbed simply Margherita (pictured), was comfortable, practical and affordable . Laid back: Margherita's vibrant 70-piece line-up, for both boys and girls, is priced between $30 and $80, and designed for children to be able to feel 'free' Practical: The designer explained that her 'main goals were to make clothes kids could be free in, and clothes their parents could get them in and out of easily' Accessible: She also remarks, 'So many baby clothes have sleeves that don’t let the baby’s arms go in and out' Young and fun: Margherita, whose collection launches today on Yoox and Nordstrom, says she loves children's clothes precisely because they are 'different' from adult clothes . Margharita's vibrant 70-piece line-up for both boys and girls is priced between $30 and $80, and designed for children to be able to feel 'free'. 'All the clothes I got before my son was born; he can’t really wear them!' she said. 'Either you can’t wash them, or they’re too hard to get on and off - you know, so

Summary: Margherita's vibrant 70-piece line-up, for both boys and girls, is priced between $30 and $80, and designed so that children can feel 'free' It's a far cry from the $3,500 fur coat Kim Kardashian dressed her daughter North West in last month .


A hapless smuggler who tried sneaking an incredible 146 iPhones through Chinese customs by strapping them to his body was caught after officers spotted him walking strangely. Chan Shih, 30, was found with 126 phones taped around his waist and another 20 around his legs while travelling from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland, reports People's Daily Online. A customs spokesman said: 'He appeared to be a big man and was wearing a very loose fitting T-shirt and trousers and had a small carry bag. Caught: Smuggler Chan Shih, 30, with the iPhones he had tried to smuggle into China from Hong Kong . 'But as he moved towards the Nothing to Declare exit officers noticed he was having difficulty with walking and asked him if he was OK. 'He said he had injured his back after falling over but officers were suspicious so asked him to go through a metal detector. 'When it went off he said it was because of his gold bracelet, but when officers searched him they found the phones cellotaped around his stomach. 'Then they found more around his calves.' Cunning plan: He had 126 handsets taped around his waist and another 20 around his legs . The haul from the known smuggler was the biggest ever seized by Chinese customs . The customs official - from Louhu checkpoint in Shenzhen - added that this was not the first time the man had been caught trying to sneak electronic goods onto the mainland, but it was the first time he had been caught with so many. It was also a record in phone smuggling for a single person. The spokesman said: 'This is the fifth time he has been caught smuggling since 2011. 'In total he has tried to bring in 511 iPhones and 127 CPUs, all of which he strapped to parts of his body. 'He needs to think of a new way of doing it as it is getting a bit obvious.' The man was arrested and is now awaiting trial.

Summary: Chan Shih, 30, a known smuggler, arrived in China from Hong Kong . After setting off metal detector, officials noticed him walking strangely . He had 126 iPhones taped around his waist and another 20 around his legs .


Fernando Torres' last return to Anfield was met with boos from the Liverpool crowd when he was in a Chelsea shirt but the Atletico Madrid striker will be hoping for a different reaction on Sunday. Picked by Steven Gerrard to play up front in the All-Star charity game against Jamie Carragher's side, the Spaniard will partner Luis Suarez. Torres struck up a close relationship with the Liverpool captain during his days at the club and he's excited to be returning for this special occasion. Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres (centre) is excited to be returning to Anfield for the All-Star game . Speaking to Liverpool's club website he said: 'I'm really looking forward to meeting some of my old team-mates, especially Stevie. I'm sure it's going to be a great day and night for him. And also to meet Liverpool fans again; many times I have been back to Anfield as an opponent, but this time I'm going like part of the home team. It's going to be a really emotional day for me.' The Atletico player says he's fully behind the cause and is looking forward to helping Gerrard out. 'My first reaction was: 'Of course I will be there. I will do anything I can, anything in my hands, to be there with Stevie on that day.' The Spaniard had an incredible few seasons at Liverpool and became one of the best forwards in the world . Liverpool fans will be drooling over the prospect that two of their best forwards in recent years will be partnering up and Torres admits he can't wait to play alongside Luis Suarez. He said: 'I saw what Luis did in his time at Liverpool and it was amazing, just amazing. Luis is a good friend - we have a good relationship and good friendship. We were sitting together for two days at Melwood when I was leaving and he was coming. 'We made good friends and we are still in touch now. I also know what it means to him to go back to Anfield and play there again. It will be great to play up front with him, especially with Stevie G behind us.' The 31-year-old's move to Chelsea didn't work out and he was booed on his last return to the club . In his previous returns to Anfield, Torres was greeted with a chorus of boos - with some fans still upset after he moved to Premier League rivals Chelsea. But the 31-year-old was quick to play down the boos and praised Liverpool's fans. He revealed: 'I will say to everybody that what the media says about the relationship between Liverpool fans and me after I left was not the reality. Everybody knows the kind of reaction Liverpool fans had when we met on the street in London or when I went back to Liverpool - everybody gave me thanks for everything I did in Liverpool. Torres could feature up top alongside his friend Luis Suarez who left the club for Barcelona in the summer . 'That is what I

Summary: Fernando Torres returns to Anfield for the All-Star Charity game against Jamie Carragher's side . The 31-year-old was picked by Steven Gerrard to take part in the clash . Torres praised Gerrard as the best he's ever played with in the game . The Spaniard also praised his time at Liverpool and the clubs fans . Click here for all the latest Liverpool news .


A Maine man was found guilty of using a fake Facebook profile to lure a 15-year-old girl to her death during a botched plot to look like a hero. Kyle Dube, 21, or Orono, was convicted of kidnapping and murdering high school sophomore Nichole Cable in May of 2013. It took the jury in Penobscot County Superior Court in Bangor less than an hour to find Dube guilty and the prosecution said the speedy verdict reflected the 'overwhelming' evidence against him. Kyle Dube, 21, (mugshot left) was convicted of kidnapping and murdering 15-year-old high school sophomore Nichole Cable (right) in May of 2013 in Maine . Assistant Attorney General Donald Macomber held up a picture of Cable during opening arguments on the first day of Dube's trial at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor, Maine . Dube planned to rescue Cable, but she died of asphyxiation and was found after an eight-day search . Dube was found guilty of staging Cable's kidnapping so he could later rescue her and be hailed as a hero. Instead, Cable died of asphyxiation and her remains were found in the woods in Old Town on May 20 after an eight-day search. Dube had covered up her body with leaves and sticks. After the verdict was announced, Cable's father began to applaud, the Bangor Daily News reported. Other friends and family of Cable began to cry, as did Dube's mother and other family members. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Marchese called the crime 'a cautionary tale'. She said. 'It's a cautionary tale to everyone to be careful when you are using social media.' During the two-week trial, the prosecution's case centered on Dube's use of a phony Facebook account to lure Cable out of her home. The profile, under the name of another man who was not involved in Cable's abduction, was traced back to Dube's home. During testimony, that man told jurors he was aware Dube didn't like him. The jury at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor came back with a guilty verdict after about 45 minutes . Dube's attorneys professed his innocence and said someone else must have committed the horrid crimes . DNA evidence also tied Dube to Cable's disappearance and several people, including fellow inmates and an ex-girlfriend, testified Dube confessed to the crime. The convicted felon told others that he'd intended to abduct Cable and later come to her rescue, according to police. His plan was to kidnap her while wearing a ski mask and return later without the disguise and find her. Dube's attorneys professed his innocence and said someone else must have committed the kidnapping and murder. Dube, who pleaded not guilty, did not testify. He faces 25 years to life in prison for the murder conviction and up to 30 years for the kidnapping conviction. David Walker, the superintendent of the high school Cable attended, said he has not seen a dramatic change in the way students use social media. He said: 'Hopefully they recognize that the internet isn't always a safe place. 'Everyone is reminding students of the

Summary: Kyle Dube, 21, found guilty of kidnapping and murdering Nichole Cable . Dube, of Orono, Maine, staged Cable's kidnapping so he could rescue her . She died of asphyxiation and was found after an eight-day search . Penobscot County Superior Court jury deliberated for less than an hour . Dube, who pleaded not guilty, faces 25 years to life in prison for the murder conviction and up to 30 years for the kidnapping conviction . Victim's father applauded in courtroom after verdict was announced today .


A one-year-old boy has died after a pick-up truck thought to belong to one of his relatives reversed into a garden wall which then collapsed on top of him. The baby, believed to be from an Asian family, suffered a serious head injury and died outside a semi-detached home in Yardley, Birmingham. Several neighbours have said they thought the owner of the truck may be the boy's father, a taxi driver, who was seen 'crying his eyes out' after the crash. An air ambulance landed in a public park opposite the house and paramedics made desperate efforts to save the baby after the 'tragic' crash earlier today. Floral tributes have been left at the scene of the incident in Birmingham where a one-year-old boy died after a pick-up truck -thought to belong to his father - reversed into a garden wall which then collapsed on him . The boy suffered a serious head injury and died outside a semi-detached home in Yardley, Birmingham . Police were alerted at around 5pm and officers said the road was likely to be closed for some time for an investigation to take place. The family's next door neighbour Mary Mason, 67, said: 'The pick up truck is there quite often so I think it belongs to the home owner. 'I saw it reversing out my window and then it lurched forward and I heard a massive crash. I looked out and their garden wall had collapsed. 'Next thing I know I can just hear screaming and shouting, I don't know what was going on. There was chaos. I could just hear yelling and panicked screams. 'There was blue flashing lights everywhere but I had no idea what had happened, I thought the wall had just collapsed but the shouting and the noise made me think it could have been something worse.' One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I don't know how he managed to do it or whether the lad was in a pushchair or cot,' she said. A white forensic tent was erected outside the £120,000 semi-detached property where the crash took place . Several neighbours said they thought the owner of the truck may be the boy's father, a taxi driver, who was seen 'crying his eyes out' after the crash. Dozens of flowers were left at the scene outside the home today . One young girl and her mother leave a bunch of flowers at the scene, where the crumbled wall remains today . 'But I'm certain he must have been on the footpath the other side of their garden wall. I looked out my window and could see the man crying his eyes out - he was a mess, he was really in a bad way.' A white forensic tent was erected outside the £120,000 semi-detached property where the crash took place and a large number of people could be inside one of the nearby homes. Neighbour Barbara Porter, 76, said: 'I heard the helicopter land in Old Yardley Park over the road and there was police and ambulances everywhere.

Summary: One-year-old has died after truck crashed into wall which collapsed on him . Boy suffered a serious head injury and died at the scene in Birmingham . Neighbours have said the owner of the truck may be the boy's father . They said they saw the driver 'crying his eyes out' after the horror crash . Officers were called to the Yardley area of the city at around 5pm today .


Dame Esther (pictured) was giving evidence in trial of Penny Mellor who allegedly sent hundreds of abusive tweets to campaigner Shy Keenan . Childline founder Dame Esther Rantzen has denied that she was told about Jimmy Savile's child sex abuse in 1986 while giving evidence in a cyber stalking trial. Dame Esther today discussed allegations by child sex abuse victim and justice campaigner Shy Keenan that were printed on the front page of the Sun under the headline 'Abuse campaigner: I told Esther Rantzen about paedo Jimmy Saville 18 years ago.' She said she 'would have remembered' if she had been told by Ms Keenan that Saville, Gary Glitter and Jonathan King were child abusers. If she had been told of such an 'explosive allegation' Dame Esther said she would have told her to go to the police. Dame Esther was giving evidence in the trial of Penny Mellor, 53, from Coven, Wolverhampton, who is alleged to have sent hundreds of abusive tweets to Ms Keenan. Ms Keenan, from Colchester, Essex, wrote a book in 2008 called Broken, where she told of the abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepfather. The revelation led to the conviction of Stanley Claridge and others in 2002 and Ms Keenan set up her own organisation, Phoenix Post, with campaigner Dr Sara Payne, whose daughter was murdered. Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Mellor has accused Ms Keenan of repeatedly lying in her book, claiming she was a fraudster and an attention seeker. Mellor called Dame Esther as a witness to challenge Ms Keenan's credibility. Dame Esther, wearing a navy dress and black jacket, spent nearly an hour in the witness box today. She told the jury that she had not met Mellor before today, although Mellor had sent her some unsolicited emails about her discoveries relating to Ms Keenan. Dame Esther told the court she 'would have remembered' if she had been told in 1986 by Ms Keenan that Jimmy Savile (pictured left) and Gary Glitter (right) were child abusers . Dame Esther told the court: 'The Sun journalist told me Shy Keenan told them that I said they were too rich, too powerful and that I, Esther Rantzen, could do nothing about it. 'I said that's absolutely untrue. I never took the view that anyone was too rich or too powerful. I have a track record in this.' Dame Esther told the jury at Chelmsford Crown Court that she did not remember meeting Ms Keenan, who had been a guest on her TV show That's Life . She said she was concerned that the claim would taint and damage Childline's reputation. Dame Esther said she was told when she was a young TV researcher, of 'a rumour' in Fleet Street that Savile was interested in young girls, but that she did not hear anything to justify or corroborate the rumour. She said that the first time she heard evidence of Savile's abuse was on an ITV Exposure documentary in October 2012, a year after his death. She agreed there was a photograph of her

Summary: Childline founder Dame Esther gave evidence in cyber stalking trial today . Penny Mellor, 53, is accused of harassing campaigner Shy Keenan . Ms Keenan told The Sun she told Dame Esther about Savile abuse in 1986 . Mellor called Dame Esther as witness to challenge Ms Keenan's credibility . Dame Esther has always denied claim which she says damaged Childline . Told court she 'would have remembered' if she had been told in 1986 by Ms Keenan that Jimmy Savile and Gary Glitter were child abusers .


While the world is divided over whether 'that dress' is blue and black, or white and gold, Nasa has been involved in a colour controversy of its own. This time the debate involves Mars – the so-called 'red planet' – which conspiracy theorists believe is in fact more blue and green. They argue the space agency has manipulated the colour of images from Mars to appear red, orange and pink, in what they claim is an attempt to mask life on the planet. Scroll down for video . The debate has raged since the 1970s when Nasa's Viking 1 lander became the first spacecraft to touch down on the red planet/ Its initial images revealed what appeared to be a blue sky (right), but in reality Nasa says the planet has a red/orange sky. On the left is a processed image of what Nasa believes Mars to look like . The sky on Earth is blue because of a phenomenon known as 'Rayleigh scattering', in which blue particles of light are scattered around by the atmosphere. On Mars, the reverse effect takes place. The dust in the atmosphere scatters the red particles of light, makes the sky appear red. Nasa claims the sky appeared blue because Viking's filtered images still had to be calibrated with the right colour balance. The debate has raged since the 1970s when Nasa's Viking 1 lander became the first spacecraft to touch down on the red planet, according to a report by Alan Boyle in NBC News. Its initial images revealed what appeared to be a blue sky, similar to that seen on Earth, raising hopes that there may be Martian life. Viking team member Carl Sagan announced at a press conference soon after: 'Despite the impression on these images, the sky is not blue...The sky is in fact pink.' The sky on Earth is blue because of a phenomenon known as 'Rayleigh scattering', in which blue particles of light are scattered around by the atmosphere. On Mars, the reverse effect takes place. The dust in the atmosphere scatters the red particles of light, makes the sky also appear red. Nasa claims the sky appeared blue in the first Martian images because Viking's filtered photographs still had to be calibrated with the right colour balance. Nasa sometimes uses different filters to depict Mars. The left image shows Mars as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope in July, 2001. Centre is Mars as seens by the Hubble Space Telescope in March, 1997. On the right is the red planet as seen by the Mars Global Surveyor in February, 2006 . The left version is the raw, unprocessed view as it is received directly from Mars. The centre is a guess of the 'natural' colour that humans would see if they visited Mars. The right version shows the result of white-balancing, which interprets the scene as if it were viewed under Earthlike lighting conditions . But not everyone is convinced. Ron Levin, a researcher at Lockheed Martin stated in areport: 'An excess of red is found on all of

Summary: In 1976 Nasa's Viking 1 sent back an image of Mars with blue skies . Nasa claimed image had yet to be calibrated with right colour balance . Some conspiracy theorists have questioned Nasa's calibration methods . Nasa admits it isn't an exact science and often uses different versions .


New York public schools will add two Muslim holidays to their vacation calendars, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday, a promise he made during his election campaign. The policy change was hailed by Islamic leaders in New York City. Under the new policy, the city's 1.1 million-pupil public school system will close on Sept. 24 for Eid al-Adha, which is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, will be observed during summer school in 2016. Scroll down for video . NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio (pictured today promised in his election campaign that New York public schools would add the Muslim holidays to their vacation calendars . Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today that NYC will become largest school district in the nation to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha . Ramadan is based on the Islamic lunar calendar and moves each year. 'Hundreds of thousands of Muslim families will no longer have to choose between honoring the most sacred days on their calendar or attending school,' Mayor Bill de Blasio said in his announcement. Muslim leaders welcomed the announcement. 'After years of advocating by New York City's Muslim community, Muslim public school students will finally and thankfully no longer be penalized for observing their religious holidays,' said Zead Ramadan, a board member of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Linda Sarsour, a Muslim community advocate and public school parent who joined de Blasio for the announcement at a school in Brooklyn, said, 'This is what New York City is all about — recognition, inclusion and respect.' Estimates of the number of Muslims living in New York City vary from 600,000 to 1 million. Community leaders have long urged adding the two Muslim holidays to the school calendar, and the City Council passed a resolution supporting the change in 2009. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg opposed making the change but de Blasio and the other major candidates who campaigned to succeed Bloomberg in 2013 all said they would implement it. The new calendar will keep the total number of school days unchanged at 182: the state-mandated 180 plus two more in case there are snow days. New York City public schools have long closed for major Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur as well as the Christian holidays of Christmas and Good Friday. Other public school systems that have moved recently to observe Muslim holidays include those in Waterbury, Connecticut and Frederick County, Maryland. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña announce the news .

Summary: NYC Mayor de Blasio has promised the holidays during his election campaign . The policy change was hailed by Islamic leaders in New York City . Schools will close on Sept. 24 for Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr will be off, marking the end of Ramadan .


Their plight was summed up on the whistle. After a game Millwall just had to win in order to retain any hope of survival, the supporters warmly applauded as they trudged off. The fans realise what dreadful circumstances interim manager Neil Harris has pitched up in. It was better but ultimately not enough. The Lions looked every bit a side to have scored just three goals in their previous eight games; plenty of huff, but very little puff. Had Brighton’s Joe Bennett not crashed the bar from 25 yards and later blazed wildly over, it might’ve been worse. Millwall now look consigned to relegation and upbeat Harris will treat the remaining eight fixtures as an audition for when the club make a permanent decision on Ian Holloway’s successor in the summer. Millwall's Aiden O'Brien (right) and Brighton and Hove Albion's Beram Kayal (left) battle for the ball . Milwall winger Martyn Woolford (right) dribbles with the ball during the match against Brighton at The Den . Millwall (4-4-2): Forde, Cummings, Nelson, Hooiveld, Harding, O'Brien (Gueye 73), Abdou, Williams, Woolford (Fabbrini 81), Taylor-Fletcher (Maierhofer 73), Gregory . Subs not used: Upson, Beevers, Fuller, Archer . Booked: Woolford, Taylor-Fletcher . Brighton (4-4-2): Stockdale, Bruno, Halford, Greer, Bennett, Holla, Kayal (Lua Lua 45), Calderon, Stephens, Mackail-Smith (Teixeira 75), Best (O'Grady 75) Subs not used: Hughes, Ince, Walton, Ledesma . Referee: Andy Woolmer . Attendance: 9,105 . ‘The boys couldn’t give me any more apart from a goal,’ he said. ‘The support they gave was absolutely terrific. We’re just trying to give them the belief, to get the fans back onside.’ Harris believes this is already a side the fans can identify with again after disaffection under Holloway. ‘I wasn’t always the best player on the pitch here but I played with my heart on my sleeve,’ he added. ‘We maybe lacked a little bit of creativity in the final third and we’re searching for a goal to kickstart us. ‘The league table doesn’t lie - games are running out. You have to start somewhere. We need to add to that. ‘We’re in a difficult position but we’ve got games to win.’ This isn’t fair on the young boss. It could well be a case of right job, wrong time for the man who’s adopted the club for which he appeared in the 2004 FA Cup final and who stood right behind him when beating testicular cancer. Brighton defender Bruno Saltor (left) slides across to challenge Millwall's Aiden O'Brien (right) on the wing . Brighton striker Leon Best (left) prepares to cross the ball ahead of Millwall's Dan Harding (right) The caretaker has brought more intensity and, while Brighton’s Leon Best drew a smart save from David Forde at the near post, the better opportunities fell to Shaun Williams and Aiden O’Brien. These were small steps in a mission to rejuvenate themselves, and something Chris Hughton has noted. ‘They started well,’ the Brighton boss said. ‘I expected that. They’ve got a very good club man in the job at the moment. Everybody here respects him.’ Respect

Summary: Millwall's chances of beating relegation continue to look unlikely . The Lions were held to a goalless draw by Brighton at The Den . Neil Harris' side are 23rd in the Championship table after the result .


Former head of Knox Grammar Ian Paterson has denied touching a young woman's bottom during a school musical to the cheering of young boys, as he admitted deliberately hindering a 1996 investigation into child sex abuse. In the second shocking day of evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, Dr Paterson said he did 'absolutely not' touch Lucy Perry, who was 15-years-old, during a rehearsal of 'Guys and Dolls' in 1989. 'They were roaring their approval for her performance as the sultry dancer,' Dr Paterson told the inquiry, under intense questioning from counsel assisting the commission David Lloyd. Dr Ian Paterson, the former headmaster of Knox Grammar, has provided evidence to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse for two days . Lucy Perry, the CEO of an international women's charity, told the commission on Monday that Dr Paterson had touched her behind during a rehearsal of Guys and Dolls. She said the action was greeted by a 'roar of approval' from young men in the crowd . Lucy Perry was surprised by the reaction her testimony triggered from victims attending the inquiry, with many standing up to applaud her as she left . In explosive testimony on Wednesday, Dr Paterson also accepted he had hindered a police investigation of claims into child sex abuse led by Inspector Elizabeth Cullen in 1996. Ian Paterson said on Wednesday that when a police inspector from the child protection unit approached him in 1996 about six teachers at Knox about whom there had been complaints, he did not give her full information. In reply to David Lloyd counsel advising the royal commission, which is inquiring into Knox's handling of sex abuse complaints, Dr Paterson agreed he knew this would impede the investigation. Ms Perry, 41, now the CEO of an international women's charity, told the commission on Monday that Dr Paterson, the show's producer, had singled her out during the joint rehearsal between Knox and Roseville College. As she walked to the edge of the stage 'he placed his hand on my backside'. 'I would describe it as between a pat and a grope,' Ms Perry told the commission. 'He then slid his hand right down to cup my buttocks and (I) felt him touch my genitals outside of my clothing.' Ms Perry continued: 'I was humiliated in front of the boys and I heard the boys cheering. 'I was disgusted with Paterson's behaviour and thought he was demonstrating to the Knox boys that it was perfectly acceptable, even admirable, to be disrespectful to girls.' Ms Perry was not interested in pressing charges against Dr Paterson but changed her mind in 2009. 'I wanted to let police know that I was happy to provide a statement if it was going to be useful to demonstrate the culture of disrespect engendered by the school and to highlight the environment and attitudes fostered by the headmaster,' she said. Knox Grammar former headmaster Ian Paterson said on Tuesday that he is 'deeply and profoundly sorry' for failing to recognise and

Summary: Knox Grammar former headmaster Ian Paterson gave evidence at a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse . On the second day of his evidence, Dr Paterson accepted he hindered a 1996 police investigation into child sex abuse . Dr Paterson denied touching the behind of Lucy Perry, 15, during a rehearsal of Guys and Dolls in 1989 . Ms Perry said a crowd of young men 'roared in approval' 'They were roaring their approval for her performance as the sultry dancer,' Dr Paterson said .


Midfielder Harry Arter has been rewarded for his contribution to Bournemouth's bid for Barclays Premier League football with a first call-up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad. The 25-year-old, who regularly represented his country at Under 17 and Under 19 levels, has been included in a provisional 35-man party for the Euro 2016 qualifier against Poland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on March 29. Manager Martin O'Neill will reduce the initial squad before the players meet up on March 22 ahead of what could prove to be a key game in the qualification campaign, but there could yet be a place for a surprise inclusion in the shape of Arter. Harry Arter (left) has been called up to the Ireland squad after impressing for Bournemouth this season . David Forde (Millwall), Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) Darren Randolph (Birmingham), Rob Elliot (Newcastle), Richard Keogh (Derby), Marc Wilson (Stoke), Seamus Coleman (Everton), Cyrus Christie (Derby), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Alex Pearce (Reading), Paul McShane (Hull), James McCarthy (Everton), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa), Stephen Ward (Burnley . Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Glenn Whelan (Stoke), Darron Gibson (Everton), Paul Green (Rotherham), Aiden McGeady (Everton), Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff), James McClean (Wigan), Robbie Brady, Stephen Quinn, David Meyler (all Hull), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich) Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Ipswich), Jon Walters (Stoke), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Anthony Stokes (Celtic), Simon Cox (Reading), David McGoldrick (Ipswich). O'Neill said: 'He is having a very good season. I think, yeah, why not? It would be nice to have a look at him. 'He's obviously played at under-age level and I wanted to introduce another fresh face. There are no guarantees of anything. I've met him twice now and I think he deserves that chance. 'This might be a surprise to him as I didn't say anything to him. He will hopefully be pleasantly surprised.' Former Charlton trainee Arter is currently in his fifth season with the Cherries after joining them from Woking in June 2010, and has scored six goals in 38 appearances to date during the current campaign. Bournemouth head into the weekend having returned to the top of the Sky Bet Championship table as a result of their 5-1 victory at Fulham last weekend, but only on goal difference with Derby, Watford and Middlesbrough all level with them on 66 points and Norwich just a point behind. Hull midfielder Robbie Brady and Everton counterpart Aiden McGeady have been included, although Brady in particular is struggling with a torn calf muscle, while former Celtic winger McGeady is nursing a bruised knee. Arter has been the driving force behind Bournemouth's quest for promotion to the Premier League . But there was no place for Aston Villa's Jack Grealish, who is yet to make up his mind over whether to opt for Ireland or England, a process which has been ongoing for some time to the particular frustration of O'Neill's assistant and former Villa number two Roy Keane. The Poland game could prove crucial to the Republic's hopes of making it to

Summary: Harry Arter has been in fine form for Championship side Bournemouth . The midfielder has represented Ireland at Under 17 and Under 19 level . Arter is in the senior squad for the match against Poland on March 29 . Ireland currently lie fourth in their Euro 2016 qualifying group .


A terminally ill bride has been granted her dying wish of a dream wedding after being given just six weeks to live. Natalie Price, of Redditch, Worcestershire, planned her big day in just 20 days after being told her lung disease, which also claimed the life of her mother, was terminal on March 6. The mother-of-two, whose eight-year-old son Bradley has just been diagnosed with the same condition - fibrosing alveolitis - and her partner of 11 years, Andy, planned the wedding to ensure they had a fairy tale wedding. A thrilled Natalie and Andy Price hold their marriage certificate after organising their wedding in just 20 days . Natalie and Andy celebrate their big day with sons Callum (on her immediate left) and Bradley, right, as family and friends look on . Andy sprang into action along with family and friends to make it happen. And yesterday Natalie enjoyed her dream wedding day as she married her long-term sweetheart in front of family and friends. 'I'm so happy to have finally married Andy,' Natalie, who lost her ten-week-old baby daughter, Paige, to cot death, said. 'Our wedding day was the best day of my life.' Now the 30-year-old has just one more bucket list wish - to raise enough money to send her two sons, Callum, 11, and Bradley to Disneyland Florida after she dies to take their mind off the pain of losing their mum. Andy, 48, said he was determined that Natalie would have the dream wedding she always wanted. 'Natalie and I have been together for 11-years and we are soul mates. We'd always wanted to get married but we just never got round to planning it. Natalie's father, William Bradley, walks her down the aisle while the guests wait inside . The couple said they had always planned to marry after being together for 11 years . 'After ten months of regular scans and X-rays to monitor Natalie’s health we were told the devastating news that she had declined rapidly and had just six weeks to live. We knew from that moment we needed to act fast. 'Our wedding day was the best day of our lives, it was perfect in every way - I just wish I could have my wife for longer than just a few short weeks. 'It was mine and Natalie’s dream to get married and thanks to our family, friends Lisa Dorgan and Laurence Walsh, and local businesses, we were able to fulfil that wish before it was too late. 'It breaks my heart to think about the future without her but I need to stay strong for our boys. 'Seeing Natalie come down the aisle in her dress allowed me to forget all the heartbreak for just a minute. Fibrosing alveolitis is a relatively rare lung condition which causes scarring and thickening of the alveoli - tiny air sacs - leading to shortness of breath. Developing over a number of months or years, the condition is difficult to treat and is usually long term. In some cases, fibrosing alveolitis is the

Summary: Natalie Price, 30, was told lung disease was terminal on March 6 . Diagnosed with life-limiting fibrosing alveolitis shortly after her birth . Eight-year-old son Bradley also has same potentially deadly condition . Blighted by tragedy after losing baby to cot death and mother to cancer . Fiance Andy rallied family and friends to make big bash day to remember .


John Prescott's granddaughter has revealed that he eats chips for breakfast as well as dinner. The portly Labour stalwart eats so many chips, according to five-year-old Ava Grace, that she thought he worked in a chip shop. Appearing on ITV's Big Star's Little Star, Ava tells host Stephen Mulhern, when asked what her grandfather 'wasn't very good at', that he 'isn't very good at keeping fit'. John Prescott's granddaughter Ava Grace has revealed that he eats chips for breakfast as well as dinner on ITV's Big Star's Little Star . Prescott pictured buying fish and chips from the Yorkshire Fisheries chip shop in Blackpool, in 2001 . She adds: 'Because he eats too many chips in the morning and the evening.' She added that he liked them because they were cheap'. She also correctly guessed that her 'Papa's' favourite thing was his beloved Jaguar car, and that he would least like to be stuck in a lift with David Cameron. Joining him on the programme - which will be aired tomorrow at 8pm - are athlete Mo Farah and daughter Rhianna, aged nine, and EastEnders star Rita Simons and twins Maiya and Jaimee, aged nine. The 76-year-old former MP, now Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull, has in the past spoken of his love of food, and his battle with bulimia. Appearing on ITV's Big Star's Little Star, Ava tells host Stephen Mulhern, when asked what her grandfather 'wasn't very good at', that he 'isn't very good at keeping fit' She said: 'He eats too many chips in the morning and the evening.' She added that he liked them because they were cheap' He used to make himself sick up to four times a day after bingeing on trifles, Chinese food, burgers and fish and chips. He says the eating disorder is not something that ‘just goes away’ but he has learned to ‘discipline’ himself. In Prezza: My Story: Pulling No Punches, he wrote: 'I'd just turn to some digestive biscuits, which meant a packet of them, scoffing the lot, then perhaps another packet. The 76-year-old former MP, now Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull, has in the past spoken of his love of food, and his battle with bulimia . 'I could sup a whole tin of Carnation milk, just for the taste, stupid things like that. Marks & Spencer trifles, I still love them, one of my favourites. 'I can eat them for ever. 'Whenever I go to Mr Chu's in Hull, my favourite Chinese restaurant in the whole world, great atmosphere, great people, I could eat my way through the entire menu.'

Summary: Prescott eats so many chips, Ava Grace thought he worked in chip shop . Told ITV's Big Star's Little Star that he liked them 'because they're cheap' The former Labour MP appears on the show with his granddaughter, five .


A filmmaker and Playgirl 'Man Of The Year' centerfold model who made waves when he came out as gay has died. Dirk Shafer, 52, was found dead in his car in West Hollywood on Thursday after a possible heart attack, Deadline reports. He became a pioneering mouthpiece on the subject of gay lifestyle and the heated circuit club scene in the 1990s. Man Of The Year: Dirk Shafer, 52, was Playgirl's 1992 Man Of The Year before he came out as gay and spoke out about the pressures on men to appear straight. He has been found dead in his car in West Hollywood . A fixture of Hollywood, and trainer to the stars, Shafer rubbed shoulders with the likes of Joan Rivers . Will & Grace star Eric McCormack paid tribute to his friend, gym buddy and one-time co-star Shafer on Twitter . Among those to pay tribute was Will & Grace star Eric McCormack, who trained with Shafer. He wrote: 'Lost a good man today. #DirkShafer dear pal and awesome trainer for 17 years. Sending love to his family and so many friends. Be at peace, D' Satirizing the need to appear 'straight' in his modeling career, Shafer directed, wrote and starred in the acclaimed mockumentary Man Of The Year in 1995. Later in life: Shafer went on to make two acclaimed movies, dabbled in acting and physically trained stars . Six years later, his movie about the gay club scene, Circuit, was awarded Best Film at the Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival. Illinois-born Shafer later landed a role as Blaze on the hit sitcom Will & Grace, before becoming a fitness trainer in Hollywood. His celebrity clients at Swapoutworkout included Katy Perry, Richard Dreyfuss, and Tiffanni Thiessen. In 2012, Shafer posed naked once more for Playgirl to mark 20 years since his centerfold.

Summary: Dirk Shafer, 52, was Playgirl's Man Of The Year then came out as gay . He made mockumentary Man Of The Year about pressures on gay men . Found dead in his car on Thursday, gossip sites suggest heart attack . Tributes on Twitter include one from Will & Grace star Eric McCormack .


Sportsmail takes a look at 10 things we have learned from an entertaining weekend of football including the FA Cup, Premier League and a daft red card. 1. Glen Johnson still has plenty to offer Liverpool as he waits to resolve his Anfield future. The 54 times capped England right back is out of contract in the summer, and despite talk of a new three-year offer on reduced wages seems no closer to agreeing a new deal. In his first full game since collecting a groin injury against Manchester United in December he was the team’s top passer against Blackburn, finding a team mate with 82 of 87 passes – half of them in the attacking half of the field. Johnson’s role in defence also allowed Emre Can to play his more natural position at the base of the midfield. Glen Johnson still has a lot to offer Liverpool as he tries to win a new deal at the Merseyside club . 2. Eric Dier is starting to win his battle to establish himself as a centre half for Tottenham after being forced to play at right back at the start of the season. The 20-year-old, who was born in Cheltenham but grew up in Portugal before moving to White Hart Lane from Sporting Lisbon for £4million last summer, turned down an England Under 21 call-up in the Autumn because he didn’t want to play at full back. He is improving rapidly now alongside Jan Vertonghen. At QPR he made 11 clearances, more than any other defender apart from the 14 managed by his Belgian partner. Eric Dier (right) is beginning to establish himself as a top centre half after starring for Tottenham . 3. Nedum Onuoha deserved credit for his determination to play for QPR against Tottenham despite the horrific cut to his cheek he suffered a few days earlier in the defeat to Arsenal. But the former Manchester City defender showed signs that he was still suffering from the collision with team mate Steven Caulker. In the 90 minutes he gave the ball away 30 times as Rangers, whose survival depends on their form at Loftus Road, slumped to their fourth home defeat in a row. Nedum Onuoha suffered this nasty facial injury in a clash of heads with Steven Caulker but opted to play on . 4. Jonas Olsson, key defender for West Bromwich Albion for the last few seasons, is now rapidly looking surplus to requirements. The 31-year-old Swedish international hadn’t played since September after being axed by Alan Irvine before then needing surgery on an Achilles injury. His comeback game at Aston Villa saw him dragged off after 68 minutes during which he struggled against the running of Charles N’Zogbia. Jonas Olsson's days at West Bromwich Albion appear to be numbered after falling out of favour this season . 5. Matt Lowton has been one of the big winners at Aston Villa from the arrival of new boss Tim Sherwood. The 25-year-old had been out of favour under previous boss Paul Lambert who had picked him only

Summary: Glen Johnson still has an important role to play for Liverpool . Eric Dier has established himself as one of Tottenham's best centre backs . Nedum Onuoha deserves a lot of credit for playing on despite suffering a nasty facial injury when he clashed heads with Steven Caulker . Notts County midfielder Liam Noble was stupidly sent off for dissent .


These are the amazing scenes as a giraffe was born in front of dozens of people at a South African game reserve. The 1.8 metre tall baby took about two hours to be born and spent approximately 15 minutes lying on the ground being cleaned by its mother before it was eventually able to stand and begin feeding. However, despite being witnessed by more than a dozen people, keepers at the Kragga Kamma Game Park in Port Eilzabeth still do not know the sex of the new calf. These are the amazing scenes when a giraffe was born at a South African game reserve . The female giraffe was in labour for approximately two hours before the 1.8 metre calf dropped out . Park co-owner Ayesha Cantor told The Herald: 'We don’t know the sex of the calf yet and no, it has not been named. However, it was born in full view of dozens of visitors, who were mostly locals, which is great because these are the folk that support this park very well. 'They certainly did not have to go all the way to the Serengeti to see this. What was also great was that I got to see the entire birthing process for the first time,” she said, adding that the gestation period for a giraffe was about 16 months. 'What was interesting was that it came out with a gel-like covering on its hooves. During the birth, the dominant male went over to the mother periodically to check how she was doing.' It is believed there are some 80,000 giraffes in the wild, down from 140,000 in 1999. During the birth, the dominant male approached the female to offer some prenatal support . The newborn calf spent 15 minutes lying on the ground after its birth and was cleaned by its mother . The female giraffe gently cleans the newborn calf was gently cleaned by its mother as it lay on the ground . The calf spent around 15 minutes on the ground before eventually struggling to his feet . With a couple of long stretches the giraffe calf raised itself to its full 1.8 metre height before feeding . Only minutes after birth, the giraffe suckled hungrily from its mother in the safety of the game reserve . Several groups of tourists were able to witness the amazing scenes as the giraffe calf was born . Park co-owner Ayesha Cantor said it was too early to tell what sex the giraffe calf was .

Summary: The 1.8 metre tall giraffe calf was born at the Kragga Kamma game reserve . Dozens of tourists witnessed the amazing two-hour long birth process . Keepers at the South African park still do not know the giraffe's sex . The giraffe spent 15 minutes lying on the ground being cleaned .


Ben Cohen's mother-in-law is due in court after allegedly harassing the former rugby player following his split from her daughter. Felicity Bassouls, 67, was outspoken in her criticism of Cohen - labelling him a 'disrespectful bully' - after he broke up with Abby late last year amid rumours of an affair with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff. The athlete and activist, who was part of England's 2003 World Cup winning squad, had been married to Abby for 11 years and the couple have twin daughters. Scroll down for video . Due in court: Felicity Bassouls (left), 67, labelled Cohen (right) a 'disrespectful bully' when he split with her daughter Abby late last year . Rumour: Rihanoff (pictured) and Cohen both vehemently deny that any sort of romantic relationship took place . Mrs Bassouls is due in court this month accused of bombarding Cohen with calls and emails, The Sun reports. A Northampton Police spokesperson told the paper: 'A 67-year-old woman has been summonsed to appear before Northampton Magistrates court on Wednesday, March 18, to face allegations of harassment.' It was in September that Mrs Bassouls branded Cohen a 'bully' and called his behaviour 'disrespectful'. At the time, The Daily Express reported she said: 'I cannot believe what Ben Cohen has written - I am afraid to say, when you are a celebrity and in the limelight, you have to treat people with the same respect that you expect from the public. Marriage ended: Ben Cohen and his Abby (pictured together in 2003) announced their split in September last year after 11 years of marriage . Cohen, pictured with his and Abby's twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, on TV show Big Star's Little Star . 'I have experienced a great deal of bullying from you myself. Your behaviour has been so disrespectful and very intimidating not just to myself but my husband also.' News of the couple's split was linked to rumours between Cohen and his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff - fuelled by the pair's on-screen chemistry and steamy routines on the 2013 show. Both have vehemently denied that any sort of romantic relationship took place. Cohen met his wife in 1995, at the age of 17, and the couple married in 2003 before having their daughters in 2008. The couple's public statement in September read: 'Ben and Abby Cohen have agreed to take time apart to deal with some marital issues but remain fully committed to the welfare of their children. 'There is no third party involved, and Ben and Abby now ask that their privacy and that of their family be respected at this difficult time.' Partnership: Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff perform the Rumba on Strictly Come Dancing in October 2013 . Their split is the latest in a long list of post-Strictly break-ups. Susanna Reid split from the father of her three children following her appearance on the hit show, and Rachel Riley - made her split from her husband known in November - when they called time on their relationship, post-dancing appearance. Cohen's on-screen

Summary: Felicity Bassouls to appear in court this month charged with harassment . She is alleged to have bombarded Cohen with calls and emails last year . In September, her daughter Abby's marriage to the rugby star ended . He denied rumours split was linked to Strictly co-star Kristina Rihanoff .


Footage showing murderer Jodi Arias pleading for her life in a secret testimony has been released, in which she says she regrets stabbing her boyfriend to death, and calls her attempts to cover it up 'revolting'. Arias spoke before jurors in Phoenix, Arizona, last year - but only after demanding that journalists and film crews be barred from the court. She escaped the death penalty after jurors failed to reach a verdict in a sentencing retrial last week - because one member of the jury held out against executing her as punishment for killing Travis Alexander in 2008. At one point she said that seeing Alexander's family speak of their grief in court made her 'wish so badly that I could just take that away from them, and that I could reverse what I did.' Scroll down for video, and a full transcript of Arias's testimony . 'It was horrific': Jodi Arias watches the jury enter the courtroom for her sentencing phase retrial in Phoenix on Thursday morning . Secret testimony: Footage of Jodi Arias speaking before a jury has been released by an Arizona court. Arias, shown above on different days of the testimony, spoke on condition of media not being allowed to film - but a legal challenge forced the court to hand over records . The footage, recorded in October and November of last year, was only released after media organizations challenged the decision to allow the secret testimony, and asked for full records. Authorities at the Maricopa County Superior Court have now released video footage of Arias, in which she is questioned by defense attorneys. ABC News ran portions of the film on Friday. The questioning began with Arias openly admitting the murder - but saying she did not admit her guilt to anybody until 2010 because she was so shocked at herself. When asked why she did not confess immediately, she said: 'Because what I did was so horrific that I couldn't have - I could never have imagined myself doing that to another human being.' Alexander, 30, was found dead in a shower in his Phoenix-area home in 2008. He had been stabbed more than 20 times, his throat was cut almost from ear to ear, and he had been shot in the face. Together: The secret testimony included questions about Arias' time with Alexander, whom she repeatedly stabbed, then shot . She was then asked for her reaction to hearing of the grief of Alexander's family - and said that it made her wish she could undo the killing, which she claims was an act of self-defense. She said: ' I wish so badly that I could just take that away from them, and that I could reverse what I did, and that I could take away what all these people are feeling that I have hurt, including Travis. She also admitted lying to a detective, whom she called of her own volition, about the murder. When confronted with footage of interviews she gave, Arias branded herself 'revolting'. She said: 'It was something that I

Summary: Convicted killer spoke in sentencing retrial where she dodged execution . She had hoped her testimony would be secret - but video was released . Tells jurors in Phoenix, Arizona courtroom that she regrets her crime . Also recalls her lies to detectives while trying to cover up 2008 murder .


Reggie Bush will head back to his native California to fill the Frank Gore-sized hole in the 49ers backfield. The 30-year-old was cut by Detroit after two mixed years; the first inspired, the second injury-hit. ESPN first reported the deal after Bush opted not to join the New England Patriots. Concerns about fitness will plague the running back but when healthy he adds a threat on the ground and in the air. Reggie Bush trains with the Lions ahead of their game with the Atlanta Falcons in London last year . The 2005 Heisman Trophy winner was drafted second overall in the 2006 draft by the Saints. His five seasons in New Orleans yielded 33 touchdowns in 60 games and a Super Bowl victory. Bush moved to Miami Dolphins in 2011. He rushed for 2,072 yards, scoring 15 touchdowns over two seasons before joining the Lions in 2013. After going 8-8 and dispensing with Jim Harbaugh's services, the 49ers have undergone something of a facelift in the offseason. After a botched interview with Adam Gase, Jim Tomsula was promoted from defensive co-ordinator to head coach. And his short stint has seen the retirement of linebacker Patrick Willis, the loss of guard Mike Iupati to NFC West rivals Arizona and long-term staple Gore leave for Philadelphia. Cornerback Perrish Cox also departed to sign a bumper $15million three-year deal with Tennessee. The 49ers have added wide receiver Torrey Smith and defensive end Darnell Dockett and re-signed cornerback Chris Cook, as well as adding former rugby league sensation Jarryd Hayne to the roster.

Summary: Bush joins the 49ers after two seasons in Detroit . The running back is a threat on the ground as well as the air . But he was injured for the majority of last season with an ankle injury .


International Women's Day represents the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and to be thankful for their positive contributions to daily life. Cesc Fabregas was certainly in the spirit of that message, with a romantic Instagram Post dedicated to his partner Daniella Semaan. The Chelsea midfielder is pictured pecking Semaan on the cheek and captions the snap cutely, 'Another year next to you...I love you so much.' Cesc Fabregas has taken to Instagram to declare his love for partner Daniella Semaan (right) Fabregas announced in January that he was expecting his second child with Semaan . The long-term couple already have one child together and are expecting their second later this year. Fabregas is enjoying a productive first season back in the Premier League since returning to England, having joined Chelsea last summer from Barcelona in a £35 million move. The Spanish playmaker has scored four goals and made 18 assists in 36 appearances for the Blues so far this term. Fabregas is pulled back by West Ham captain Kevin Nolan (left) during the Premier League game . Fabregas tussles with Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback (left) during the game at St James' Park .

Summary: Cesc Fabregas has declared his love for his girlfriend on Instagram . The Chelsea midfielder is expecting his second child with Daniella Semaan . Fabregas has been in superb form for The Blues this season . He has scored four goals and made 18 assists .


A Nigerian woman filed for divorce from her husband because his penis was too big, according to media reports. Aisha Dannupawa, a housewife and mother-of-three, asked for her marriage to husband Ali Maizinari to be dissolved due to his large manhood. Their divorce was granted after just one week of marriage in a Islamic Sharia court in Nigeria's Zamfara State. Decision: The court in Zamfara State, Nigeria, granted the divorce. It was the first state in the country to introduce Sharia law . She told the court she had married Maizinari after her first marriage failed. As part of the local tradition, before settling into her husband's home the bride was invited to move into his parents' house. But it was only when the couple first had sex she claimed that the trauma began. 'When he came, we had sex but the experience was a nightmare. Instead of enjoying the sex, it turned out to be something else, because his penis was too big,' she told the court, according to Nigeria's Tribune. After their first unsuccessful attempt at making love, she took medication given to her by her mother. 'I told my mother the experience but she told me to endure and that with time, I will be able to cope. She then gave me some drugs,' she said to Nigerian media. According to Dannupawa, the couple had sex again but it was 'too much to bear' and the couple concluded that no drug could help their sex life or their marriage. Maizinari did not deny the accusation and told the court he was willing to dissolve the union if his dowry and money spent during the courtship was paid back. The state of Zamfara is in the north-west of the country and is approximately 500 miles away from Lagos, Nigeria's capital. It was the first state to introduce Islamic law. The average length of an erect penis is 5.2 inches (13.12 cm), according to a report released yesterday. Length: Experts plotted graphs showing the size distribution of the length of the average penis when flaccid, flaccid and stretched and erect. The graph above shows average penis length of men - in centimetres - in each percentile . Tthe average length of a flaccid penis is 3.6 inches (9.16 cm) and 5.2 inches (13.24 cm) when flaccid but stretched. And when it comes to girth, the average erect circumference was 4.6 inches (11.66 cm) and 3.7 inches (9.31 cm) when flaccid. The British research also found there was a small correlation between the erect length of a penis and a man's height. Girth: The researchers also plotted a nomogram showing the size distribution of the girth of the average penis. The graph shows the average penis girth of men in each percentile - again in centimetres .

Summary: Aisha Dannupawa asks court to dissolve one-week old marriage . She complained husband Ali Maizinari's manhood was too large . Told court: 'We had sex but the experience was a nightmare'


He was ridiculed by opposition MPs for making the unprecedented move of setting out an alternative plan to the Chancellor’s Budget in the House of Commons. And now Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat Treasury Chief Secretary, has been mocked for a subsequent photo opportunity yesterday holding a yellow briefcase. The stunt saw the box – which was auctioned off to a Lib Dem activist for £1,500 - held outside the Treasury building in an echo of George Osborne outside 11 Downing Street on Wednesday. Scroll down for video . SpongeBob SquarePants and Trunki: Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat Treasury Chief Secretary, has been mocked for a photo opportunity yesterday holding a yellow briefcase for the 'alternative budget' PlayStation and Meccano: Social media users were quick to post mocked-up images of 42-year-old Mr Alexander standing with other yellow boxes, including the above two examples . But social media users were quick to post mocked-up images of Mr Alexander, 42, standing with other yellow boxes - including a SpongeBob SquarePants lunchbox and a Trunki ride-on suitcase. Other photographs showed the politician holding a PlayStation, Meccano set and posing with ex-SNP leader Alex Salmond playing football and Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe falling over. Yesterday, Mr Alexander was harangued by Labour backbenchers and faced accusations that he was abusing his ministerial office as he set out the plan for those ‘left cold’ by Mr Osborne's Budget. Despite confirming that the Budget was agreed by the Tories and Lib Dems, Mr Alexander criticised the plans in it to cut government spending to 1964 levels - ‘the era of Cathy Come Home’. Ridicule: Mr Alexander, who is MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, was harangued by Labour backbenchers yesterday and faced accusations that he was abusing his ministerial office . Edited: Another mocked-up photograph showed the politician posing with former SNP leader Alex Salmond playing football (centre) and Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe falling over (right) Prior to Mr Alexander's comments, Speaker John Bercow insisted that such statements ‘have to be ministerial, delivered not in a personal or party capacity but on behalf of the Government’. But as the Treasury Chief Secretary set out his Lib Dem plan that ‘borrows less than Labour’ and ‘cuts less than the Conservatives’, he was met with a volley of heckling from Labour backbenchers. Shouts of ‘this is an abuse of office’ and ‘this is ridiculous’ could be heard as Opposition MPs and others waved the coalition Budget document. At one point, Labour frontbencher Andrew Gwynne reached across the table separating the despatch boxes with a copy of the red book and dropped it in front of Mr Alexander. Original photo: Mr Alexander holds his yellow budget box outside of the Treasury office in London yesterday . In the Commons: As the Treasury Chief Secretary set out his Lib Dem plan that ‘borrows less than Labour’ and ‘cuts less than the Conservatives’, he was met with a volley of heckling from Labour backbenchers . Together: Mr Alexander (centre left) outside 11 Downing Street with Chancellor George Osborne (centre) ahead of the Budget

Summary: Treasury Chief Secretary is mocked for yesterday's photo opportunity . Pictured with yellow briefcase outside Treasury for 'alternative budget' Social media users create pictures of him holding other yellow boxes . He faced accusations that he was abusing ministerial office with speech .


More than 100,000 people are claiming around £100 a week in benefits after being assessed as unable to work due to addiction, obesity or stress. They are claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA), which is awarded to those who have an illness or disability that affects their ability to work. The benefit replaced incapacity benefit, income support and severe disablement allowance with an annual cost to the taxpayer of £725million. Scroll down for video . A map showing where the highest proportion of people claiming ESA for alcohol and drug problems are located in the UK . Now according to new figures in the Daily Star Sunday, 56,000 people with alcohol problems receive ESA, while 36,650 drug addicts are also claimants. In addition 47,990 people with stress are also handed around £100 a week, with 1,780 obese people receiving the benefit. Bournemouth has the biggest proportion of claimants of ESA for people with alcohol and drug addictions, with around one in 14 people in the Dorset town who are handed the benefit abusing alcohol, while one in 20 have drug addiction problems. Other areas with a high percentage of claimants with drug and alcohol addictions include Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Bristol. Meanwhile, the biggest proportion of claimants due to stress is South Hams in Devon, closely followed by Tamworth in Staffordshire and Richmond in North Yorkshire. 1. Bournemouth . 2. Edinburgh . 3. Glasgow . 4. Aberdeen . 5. Portsmouth . 6. Blackpool . 7. North Somerset . 8. Bristol . 9. Manchester . 10. Inverclyde . 1. Bournemouth . 2. Aberdeen . 3. Edinburgh . 4. Bristol . 5. North Somerset . 6. East Lothian . 7. Plymouth . 8. Tower Hamlets . 9. Oxford . 10. Bath and North East Somerset . The highest percentage of ESA claimants due to obesity is Sevenoaks as well as Malling and Tonbrige, all in Kent. Jonathan Iasby of the Taxpayers' Alliance told the newspaper: 'The benefit system is a valuable safety net but it can't be a comfort blanket. We need to ensure treatment is available to help people back to work.' According to the government 'you can apply for ESA if you're employed, self-employed, unemployed or a student on disability living allowance'. The initial assessment phase lasts for 13 weeks, during which your income and capital are analysed. Last year, the government claimed more than 100 people stopped claiming sickness benefits every day over 2013. Bournemouth, pictured, has the biggest proportion of ESA claimants, who receive the benefit due to alcohol and drug addiction . Since May 2010, when the Coalition took over, there has been a fall of 160,000 people claiming sickness payments. Ministers claim the success is down to the Government's controversial new assessment regime pioneered by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith. This is due to applicants' physical and mental conditions assessed to show how it would affect their ability to work is also assessed. Sometimes applicants are asked to undergo a medical examination and are asked about how their condition affects their ability to carry out every day

Summary: Over 100,000 benefit claimants receive Employment Support Allowance . Benefit is paid to those who have an illness or disability and cannot work . Figures show 56,000 people with alcohol problems are receiving ESA . Over 36,000 drug addicts are also claiming the £100 a week handout . Bournemouth has highest proportion of substance abuse claimants . South Hams in Devon has the most claimants due to stress while Kent has most as a result of obesity .


The Talk co-host Julie Chen spent years living with the shame that her maternal grandfather was a rich playboy and a polygamist, but she was moved to learn that he also selflessly risked his life during World War II and used his wealth to fund a school in the village where he had grown up. On last night's episode of the TLC series Who Do You Think You Are?, the show traveled to China for the first time as Julie uncovered the mystery behind her later grandfather Lou Gaw Tong's 'improper upbringing' and was led to her family's ancestral home where she met a distant relative that she didn't even know she had. 'My impression of my grandfather before I set out on this journey was I just thought of him as this big successful business man - this rich playboy guy - but now I respect him much more than I ever did,' the 45-year-old mom said of her mother's father, who died before she was born. Scroll down for video . Life-changing: Julie Chen couldn't stop smiling after she had arrived in China and learned that her maternal grandfather was a was a highly-respected philanthropist . Selfless act: The 45-year-old met with Dr Andres Rodriguez at the Singapore Annkway Association, where she learned that her grandfather Lou Gaw Tong risked his life for the Chinese resistance during World War II . At the start of the episode Julie explained that only knew that her grandfather had a dramatic 'rags to riches story' and many wives. Lou had made his money by opening grocery stores and later investing in a shipping company, essentially building himself an empire. He had nine wives, six of who bore him children. 'The stories I heard he liked to live large,' she said. 'I think he was someone who indulged in everything and anything.' Julie, who is married to Leslie Moonves, the President and CEO of CBS Corporation, said she was inspired to learn more about her family after the birth of their five-year-old son Charlie. 'Five years ago when my son was born it was like a revival of me trying to get back in touch with my Chinese roots,' she said. 'It's important for me to have it back in my life, so I could put it into my sons life.' Julie first traveled to the National Library of Singapor where she met with Jason Lim, historian from the University of Wollongong. During her time with Jason, it was revealed that that her grandfather was described as having an 'improper childhood' - without any explanation as to what that meant. She also learned that Lou had relocated to Rangoon, now Yangon in Myanmar, Burma, as a child and later moved to Singapore after World War II. Living legacy: Julie can be seen happily meeting with the children who attend the school that her grandfather had founded in 1937 . Family history: The Talk co-host also met with the school's vice principal, who revealed that her great-grandfather was a government official . He was described

Summary: The Talk co-host's grandfather died before she was born, however she was still ashamed about his 'improper upbringing' Julie, 45, discovered the truth about her grandfather's lifestyle after visiting her ancestral home for TLC series Who Do You Think You Are?


Celebrity chef Pete Evans was in the classroom on Thursday, teaching students about the benefits of his controversial 'Paleo Way' diet, just a day after his children's cookbook was delayed amid fears the recipes could stunt the growth of babies. His school visit comes as it was claimed negative comments about his diet are being deleted from his official Facebook page, meaning only positive and supportive feedback is published. Despite the Public Health Association of Australia expressing concerns that 'Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way' cookbook could cause the death of infants, Evans visited a school in Ballarat, Victoria, where he taught children in years five and six how to cook paleo recipes. Scroll down for video . Celebrity chef Pete Evans was in the classroom on Thursday, teaching students about the benefits of his controversial 'Paleo Way' diet . 'We had the best time this morning with the grade 5 and 6 kids cooking thai chicken cakes with cucumber, avo, lettuce and corriander,' 'Paleo Pete' posted on his Facebook page. 'We also cooked mighty meaty muffins with loadsa vegies and some chia seed and coconut puddings. Nothing I love more than seeing kids learning new skills!' On Wednesday, it was announced that the release of Evan's paleo cookbook for children had been delayed due to grave concerns about the nutritional value of recipes in the book. The cookbook, Bubba Yum Yum: the Paleo Way, is the joint venture of celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules judge Evans, a long time advocate for the paleo diet, baby-blogger Charlotte Carr and naturopath Helen Padarin. The Public Health Association of Australia said that one of the recipes- a do-it-yourself baby formula made from liver and bone broth- had the potential to stunt the growth of babies and impair development. 'In my view, there's a very real possibility that a baby may die if this book goes ahead,' said Professor Heather Yeatman, president of the PHAA. The criticism comes amid claims comments on Evans' Facebook page expressing negative sentiments over the paleo lifestyle are being deleted. Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way, has been slammed by the Public Health Association of Australia as having the potential to stunt the growth of babies . Evans visited a school in Ballarat, Victoria, where he taught children in years five and six how to cook paleo recipes . Daria, a health professional, posted on 'Blocked by Evans' after she had comments deleted and was blocked from his official Facebook page . After accusations from readers that their feedback was being erased, a rival Facebook page called Blocked By Evans was started, where people could raise their concerns freely. There was also a Twitter hashtag #blockedbypete. Just this week, in the wake of the cookbook controversy, comments questioning the safety of the broth were removed and the posters blocked from the page. Kirstie Cubbins, 31, a stay-at-home mother, had several comments she posted about the health concerns authorities has raised removed from the page. 'I linked to a News article about it [the bone and liver broth] and pointed

Summary: Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way was set for release on Friday March 13 . It is a cookbook co-authored by celebrity chef Pete Evans along with baby-blogger Charlotte Carr and naturopath Helen Padarin . The book has been slammed by the Public Health Association of Australia who claim that children could potentially die from the recipes . One of the recipes is a DIY baby formula made from liver and bone broth . Comments questioning the paleo diet have been deleted from Evan's official Facebook page meaning only positive comments are allowed . Users say they were blocked from commenting after expressing concerns about the broth and posting links to scientific articles with information . Evans continued his Paleo Way tour on Thursday, visiting primary schools . Publisher Pan MacMillan has postponed its release amid the concerns .


Cocaine use in Britain has trebled in two decades, with a new 'phenomenon' of rising drugs consumption among people in their forties and fifties. A new government report launched amid concern that cocaine is seen as safe found it is no longer 'the preserve of wealthy bankers and celebrities'. Its authors found the drug is now 'firmly embedded in UK society', and warned launching an anti-cocaine campaign could encourage more people to take it. Cocaine use has traditionally been highest among people in their twenties and late teens, but there have been significant increases among people in their forties and fifties . The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs said the drug has spread throughout all areas of society since the mid-1990s. It follows the emergence of a market in cheap, low-purity powdered cocaine that operates alongside a more expensive and far higher purity version of the drug. A line of the cheaper version can now be bought for just £2 – less than the price of a coffee. Cocaine use has traditionally been highest among people in their twenties and late teens but while usage among younger age groups has fluctuated in recent years, figures from the Office for National Statistics show the percentage of over-35s taking cocaine at least once in the past year increased from 0.8 per cent in 2001/2 to 1.5 per cent in 2013/14 – the equivalent of about 188,000 men and women. Over the same period, use among adults described as ‘comfortably off’ rose from 1.5 per cent to 1.9 per cent. Overall just over 810,000 men and women aged 16 to 59 in England and Wales used the drug at least once last year – 2.4 per cent of the population. It is the highest rate in Europe. Use among older adults has been less common, particularly among 45-54 year olds. In 2013-14, 1.8 per cent of people aged 34-44 took cocaine up from 1.3 per cent a decade earlier. Among 45-54-year-olds the figure doubled from 0.3 per cent to 0.6 per cent. But the report said: 'It is notable that there have been statistically significant increases (1996 to 2013-14) across all age groups up to the age of 54 years; a phenomenon that has not been observed in respect of other drug types.' It could be that more people are taking up cocaine later in life, but the data suggests it is the result of 'continued use among an ageing user cohort', suggesting age does not lead to people giving the drug up. The access to cheap cocaine - often mixed with harmful cutting agents - is 'highly likely' to have driven the rise in the number of users from 'hard pressed' or low income backgrounds, as well as the 'comfortably off', living outside cities where drug use was traditionally uncommon. The report, addressed to Home Secretary Theresa May and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, is the first of its kind to investigate powdered cocaine use and was launched in response to fears of a perception that the drug is safe as use increased.

Summary: Cocaine no longer just 'the preserve of wealthy bankers and celebrities' Official report says the drug is now 'firmly embedded in UK society' Percentage of 45-54-year-olds taking drug doubles in a decade, study finds . Data suggests it is result of 'continued use among an ageing user cohort' It could mean that age does not lead to people giving up taking drugs .


Five simultaneous drug busts in New Jersey have yielded the usual assortment of marijuana, ecstasy and guns, along with more exotic contraband: a baby crocodile. The Mercer County prosecutor's office says authorities executing search warrants Thursday in Trenton and Bordentown found the reptile living in the basement of a house. Animal control officers were called to the scene on Poplar Street in Trenton and removed the baby crocodile. Nabbed: Alexander Green (left), 35, and Dawud Joyner (right), 34, were arrested in New Jersey as part of a drug bust, which also netted a baby crocodile . Exotic contraband: The small reptile was found in the basement of this home on Poplar Street in Trenton . Along with the scaly critter, authorities found marijuana. Two men, identified as Alexander Green, 35, and Dawud Joyner, 34, were arrested on a slew of drug charges. The search warrants of the five homes yielded more than 100 grams of ecstasy, two guns and more than $2,000 in cash. A car also was seized. Authorities say Green was the target of the three-month investigation by the prosecutor's office's narcotics task force, which culminated in Thursday's raids. According to prosecutors, just before 4pm Thursday officers executed search warrants at five addresses on Poplar Street in Trenton and Ward Avenue in Bordentown. In all, the drug bust yielded a .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun, a defaced .38 Special revolver and a black ski mask stashed inside an oven, as well as bags of marijuana, ecstasy and drug paraphernalia, including a digital scale and baggies . Rescued: Animal control officers arrived on the scene and removed the crocodile (pictured here is a stock image) The baby crocodile was discovered inside the basement of 43 Poplar Street where Dawdud Joyner lived with Richelle Ayers. Both were arrested on drug charges and outstanding warrants. A 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix was also seized by officials as drug proceeds. Lt. Mike Novembre, the commanding officer of the operation, said the estimated street value of the seized ecstasy was $3,180, while the value of the marijuana was $750. Alexander Green has been charged with multiple drug and weapons possession counts. He is being held on $150,000 bail.

Summary: Alexander Green, 35, and Dawud Joyner, 34, were arrested during drug raids, which also netted a baby crocodile . Reptile was found in basement of a home on Poplar Street in Trenton .


Floyd Mayweather believes his $300million Las Vagas showdown with Manny Pacquiao on May 2 will be the 'biggest fight in boxing history'. Mayweather, speaking for the first time since beginning his preparations for his upcoming fight, insists the first four days of his training camp have 'gone tremendous thus far'. The undefeated world champion also thanked boxing legends such as Mike Tyson and Sugar Ray Robinson for paving the way for his success. Floyd Mayweather has spoken for the first time since he started preparations for his fight with Manny Pacquiao . Mayweather insists preparations for his Las Vegas showdown with Pacquiao have gone 'tremendous' The undefeated boxer will be hoping to extend his unbeaten run when he goes toe-to-toe with Pacquiao . Mayweather told Fight Hype: 'Training camp has gone tremendously thus far, all I can do is just wait. This is not just a big fight, this is the biggest fight in boxing history. 'It is always being at your best, pushing yourself to the limit and just being sharp and smart. 'This fight will be a part of history. When you look back at Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, Roberto Duran, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Wilfred Benitez, the Spinks brothers, Pernell Whitaker, James Toney, Cornelius Edwards and the list goes on and on. I just come in and take my hat off to the guys who paved the way for me to be where I am at today.' The 38-year-old went on to urge boxing fans to buy a pay-per-view subscription and heaped praise on his team. He added: 'I got lucky because God blessed me with a good team. I want everyone to tune in on May 2 buy pay-per-view two months in advance.' Pacquiao is also preparing for the highly-anticipated fight, which will take place at MGM Grand on May 2 .

Summary: Floyd Mayweather has urged fans to buy pay-per-view subscription . The American insists his training has 'gone tremendous thus far' Mayweather has thanked boxing legends to pave way for his career . Tyson: Mayweather doesn't throw enough punches to trouble Pacquiao . Click here to read the latest news on Mayweather's fight against Pacquiao .


Wojciech Szczesny can regain his place as Arsenal number one if he dedicates himself completely to the task, according to former double-winning goalkeeper Bob Wilson. The Poland international is expected to feature in the FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United on Monday night, provided he recovers from the virus which stopped him from being on the bench for the midweek Barclays Premier League win at QPR. Szczesny, 24, has not started a league game since the 2-0 defeat at Southampton on New Year's Day, where he was culpable for the goals and afterwards was also caught smoking in the showers. That indiscretion resulted in a fine from the club. Wojciech Szczesny (right) has not started a game for Arsenal since Southampton on New Year's Day . The Polish shot-stopper has been ousted by David Ospina (right) but is likely to play on Monday night . Despite Colombian David Ospina making the most of his opportunities in recent weeks, Wilson, part of the Gunners' 1971 league and FA Cup-winning side, still believes 6ft 5in Szczesny has what it takes to cement a regular place between the posts once more. 'From the time Wojciech got into the Arsenal first team there were a lot who asked if he was good enough and I thought, "this boy has the potential to really be a solid, outstanding goalkeeper". I still believe that because he is - for his position - still relatively young,' Wilson said. 'All I would a say to him is "look, Arsenal is one of the greatest football clubs. If you go from here I am not sure you are ever going to get a club as good as this. At your age now you need to dedicate yourself to being the best you can be, to the exclusion of a lot of other things in your life".' Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson says Szczesny must work hard to regain his place in the team . Ospina has made the most of his opportunity, tying down the No 1 goalkeeping position at the Emirates . Wilson recalled: 'I was a very late starter, but once I was in the Arsenal side, my family almost came second to my ambition. 'I devoted every moment to regular training and then when the boys went in for their bath, I stayed out [on the field]. 'I wanted to make sure I never ever left the game saying I could have been better, so my message to Wojciech would be "come on, prove how good you can be".' Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is confident Szczesny, who has played in Arsenal's last two FA Cup ties, will be sharp if selected again. Arsene Wenger (centre) will have a tough choice on his hands if Szczesny (right) impresses in the FA Cup . 'Wojciech is used to playing in big games and I think he will take that as a big challenge to show his quality,' the Gunners boss said. 'He works very hard in training, so I don't think that will be a problem.' Arsenal head to Old

Summary: Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson believes Wojciech Szczesny is good enough to regain his place in the Gunners' starting line-up . He says Szczesny must dedicate himself to being the best he can be . Arsenal face Manchester United in the FA Cup and Szczesny is expected to start in goal if he has recovered from a virus . Wilson says Szczesny has to prove how good he can be for Arsenal .