Former Labor leader Mark Latham was dumped from a radio interview for an on-air rant that included calling Triple M host Gus Worland a 'loveable f***wit' and movie star Hugh Jackman a 'North Shore w***er.' Now Worland wants to punch Latham's head in - for charity. Mr Latham, who was opposition leader for 13 months from December 2003 and led Labor to lose the 2004 election, had been invited on to the station's Grill Team morning program to talk about his latest book. Scroll down for audio . The Grill Team on radio station Triple M says 'it's on!' A fight for charity between the 'Marathon Man' Gus Worland (left) and former Labor heavyweight, Mark Latham (right) The program is co-hosted by Worland, who is also known for reality TV progams including An Aussie Goes Barmy. An audio recording had earlier emerged of Mr Latham talking to another Triple M presenter, Merrick Watts, about Worland's latest TV show, Gus Worland: Marathon Man, which document's the presenter's efforts to get fit and run the New York Marathon. 'I actually watched Gus' Marathon Man show, flicking through Foxtel one night, and hooked into it on the basis it's got to be the worst TV ever. It lived up to expectations, it was f***ing horrendous,' Latham said in the audio, which was not put to air. 'It was shocking but I couldn't work out he wasn't losing any weight, how's this fat tub going to run a marathon, they ended up shoving tubes up his a***.' 'No doubt I'll drop him like a bad habit,' Latham fired back at Worland. 'I'll knock him into tomorrow and he can whack his mate Hugh Jackman in for seconds.' His criticisms led to The Grill Team - Worland, Mark Geyer and Matthew Johns - urging Mr Latham to come on their show and talk about his book, Latham at large. Mr Latham did not back down from his criticism talking directly to Worland and his colleagues. 'The best s*** TV in the history of the entertainment industry,' was how Mr Latham described Worland's show. He went on to take a swipe at Worland's previous TV efforts focusing on cricket, but left his harshest criticism for last. 'Gus, I’ve been talking to Davey Gyngell down there at Channel 9 and we’re gonna put a proposition to you, you’ve got a lot of talent ... so Gyngell and I want to make you an offer to put on a new variety show, prime time, channel ...' But Mr Latham was taken off air before he could finish his sentence. Co-host Johns explained why. 'He said he wanted to call the show, Gus Worland Loveable F***wit,' Johns said. Gus Worland (middle) is a radio host on The Grill Team heard on Triple M in Sydney, he's pictured with colleagues Mark Geyer (left) and Matthew Johns (right) No backing out now. Social media has already lit up with news of the fight between Latham and Worland and they are already putting odds on it . After the awkward on-air episode, Triple M

Summary: Controversial ex-politician Mark Latham calls radio host 'f***wit' Told Triple M presenter Gus Worland his 'Marathon Man' television show was 'f***ing horrendous, the best s*** in the history of entertainment' The Grill Team co-host then challenged Latham to a boxing bout for charity . One-time Labor heavyweight accepted the challenge and said he'd take down Hugh Jackman as well . Latham labelled the acclaimed actor 'a North Shore w***er'


As Demelza suggestively asked Ross Poldark to help unfasten her dress, it was the steamy love scene fans had been waiting for. But while most of the drama’s huge audience of viewers were transfixed by the unfolding romance, some were left scratching their heads with the question – how did she put on the gown in the first place without assistance? The strong-willed servant, played by Eleanor Tomlinson, 22, told Aidan Turner’s Poldark that she needed his help to remove the dress as it undid from the back. However, it was never explained how, this being the case, she had squeezed into the outfit unaided in the first place. Scroll down for video . How did she get it on? Demelza asked Poldark to help her to remove her dress, but fans were left confused as to how she got the gown on in the first place . By why would she want to? A Poldark spokesman said: 'Of course Demelza could have got the dress off by herself' This led to a number of fans of the BBC1 drama to take to Twitter during Sunday’s episode to pose this very question, with many joking it had been a clever ploy to lure Poldark between the sheets. With no sense of time passing, other viewers expressed puzzlement at how quickly the story was progressing, with Demelza marrying Poldark just minutes after they first kissed on screen. Also, Elizabeth, the other object of Poldark’s brooding affections, gave birth just one episode after dramatically announcing she was pregnant. Despite these minor concerns the vast majority of the audience still seem enthralled by the Cornwall-set adventure, based on the novels by Winston Graham. Just as the original 1970s series turned Robin Ellis into a global sex symbol, the hunky Turner, 31, is fast becoming the nation’s new favourite heartthrob. Pillow talk: Fans of the BBC1 drama took to Twitter during the episode to joke it had been a clever ploy to lure Poldark between the sheets . Morning after: Last weekend’s episode attracted 6.2million viewers, thanks in part to regular glimpses of the Cornish hero's toned torso . Viewing figures have been consistently impressive, with last weekend’s episode attracting 6.2million viewers and each of the first three instalments of the eight-part breaking the six million mark. But with such large audiences it becomes difficult to please everyone and the show has found some fans poking fun at it online. After Demelza and Poldark spent the night together, one tweeted: ‘Enjoying Poldark great chemistry between Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson - but how did Demelza get the dress done up?!’ While another added: ‘Okay Demelza I get it you need help getting your dress off *wink wink* but how exactly did you do it up in the first place?’ A third joked: ‘RE : Poldark & Demelza. As a costume fairy, I have to ask, if she needed help getting out of the dress... WHO GOT HER INTO THE DRESS [sic].’ Other viewers seemed fazed by the pace of the script. Fans pointed out that barely

Summary: Eleanor Tomlinson's character needed Poldark's his help to remove dress . But confused fans wanted to know how she put it on without assistance . Viewers took to Twitter to pose this very question, with many joking it had been a clever ploy to lure Poldark between the sheets .


Meet Coronation Street's latest fresh-faced cast members who are all fighting for the same role. Erin, Eilah and Elsie, are triplets who all play 13-year-old Faye Windass's baby girl Miley, taking it in turns in front of the camera. They were chosen after the soap put out a call to casting agents and put up posters in hospital maternity units in the region asking for identical twin girls to play the newborn. Scroll down for video . Triplets Erin, Eliah and Elsie have joined Coronation Street as the youngest cast members taking it in turns to play the daughter of Faye Windass. Pictured here with father Martyn Halliwell and mother Laura Slinger . The five-month-old triplets were selected after parents Martyn Halliwell and Laura Slinger, from Padiham, near Burnley, put them forward after hearing that triplets are often in high demand in television. Martyn said: 'My cousin, who is a theatre actor, suggested that we should get in touch with an agent. He said "there is a high demand for twins, let alone triplets". 'We sent some photos over and within two hours we heard back to say they had a client who was interested. On the Monday we were at Coronation Street.' Martyn, 29, a sales manager, and Laura, 26, a beautician, are delighted at how well the girls, born on October 27, have taken to being on the soap. And the family has received a warm welcome from all the cast and crew - particularly from Ellie Leach, who plays teen mum Faye in the controversial storyline, and her mum Anna, played by Debbie Rush. Martyn says that despite only being a few months old his baby daughters are already developing quite a talent when it comes to being on screen. The triplets are swapped each scene while playing the daughter of Faye in the controversial story line that saw the Corrie character give birth at just 13-years-old . 'Everybody is shocked at how good they are,' he said. 'One of the triplets cries on cue, so when they need a crying baby we take Elsie down for filming. When they need a calm baby we take Erin. 'Everybody wants to look at the girls and they make a fuss of them, especially Debbie and Ellie. Ellie has been fantastic with the girls.' The triplets, who have a six-year-old brother Maddox, were born ten weeks early at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Erin arrived first at 5pm weighing 2lb 2oz, followed by Eilah at 5.01pm weighing in at 3lb 1oz and Elsie, a minute later weighing 2lb. Martyn added that he hopes that their early start on show might have given them the acting bug. 'Hopefully they will stay on the show if they are enjoying it. 'I have grown up watching Coronation Street and so has Laura. They have made us at home and comfortable and everybody is one big family.' The triplets will make their first appearance on Good Friday when a shocked Faye goes into premature labour.

Summary: Five-month-old triplets take it in turns to play Miley Windass in the soap . One is known as the calm baby while another can cry to order . Their father Martyn hopes the girls will will grow up to become actors .


Richard Scudamore’s elevation from CEO to Premier League chairman at Thursday's club summit will also see the world’s richest league have a new-look set of directors. But the board will remain remarkably different from the company director structure at the top of other multi-billion-pound businesses. The three-strong PL version is expected to consist of just Scudamore and two newly appointed independent directors to be unveiled on Thursday, who will hopefully provide some gender and race diversity. Richard Scudamore (left) will be elevated from CEO to Premier League chairman at Thursday's club summit and be joined by two newly appointed independent directors . FA chairman Greg Dyke will be under pressure to explain his campaign for more homegrown players . The formation, which will need a change of PL statutes, is at least a step nearer fit-for-purpose governance than the current two-man board of Scudamore and Peter McCormick, the interim chairman who is standing down. The PL still regard their six-times-a-year club summits as board meetings with their 20 shareholders, despite most of the top-flight foreign owners never bothering to attend. Meanwhile, FA chairman Greg Dyke has tended to keep quiet in PL meetings, but he will be under pressure on Thursday to explain his campaign for more homegrown players in PL squads to help the national team. Dyke has strong backing from UEFA for this initiative, which hasn’t been supported by the PL representatives on the FA board. It will not please Derby fans but the strong word is that their manager Steve McClaren is heading for Newcastle at the end of the season, irrespective of whether County are promoted. It would seem odd for McClaren, who will not comment about his future, to swap the solid Derby set-up for the madness of St James’ Park, but football rarely fails to surprise. Derby manager Steve McClaren is looking a strong possibility to head to Newcastle at the end of the season . Surrey were seemingly expecting their entire global membership to buy tickets for Kevin Pietersen’s return this season, judging by emails received on Wednesday from Ticketmaster confirming the purchase of seats. The botched memos went to the full Surrey database, much to the county’s embarrassment, with a phone message on the Oval ticket office voicemail telling callers to disregard the mass posting. Ticketmaster are infamous for their computer system continually crashing during the sale of London 2012 Olympic seats. Kevin Pietersen's signing back at Surrey coincided with a bothed mass email to members about tickets . Giles Clarke, who stands down as ECB chairman in May, has been the loudest autocratic voice on most English cricket issues since he took the helm in 2008. Yet Clarke has chosen to stay noticeably silent on Kevin Pietersen’s return to Surrey. The Football League are taking a lot longer than promised to probe the Financial Fair Play returns of Leicester and QPR. The Leicester issue centres on a Far East marketing deal to offset losses, agreed with a Sheffield agency owned by former Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards and his son. And investigating

Summary: Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore to be made chairman . His elevation on Thursday will come at the latest league summit . It coincides with the appointment of two independent directors . Derby boss Steve McClaren is strongly tipped for Newcastle move . Fears that David Beckham’s MLS plans in Miami are running out of time .


Kelly Tilley has been jailed after she burgled a disabled pensioner's home to steal £550 in cash, leaving her baby waiting outside in its pram . A mother went into the home of a disabled pensioner who had previously looked after her children to empty his wallet while she left her baby outside in the street in its pram. Kelly Tilley snuck into the Stockport home of the 74-year-old after he had left his front door open and stole £550 in cash from his wallet. She then ran away, pushing her child in the pram. The pensioner, who has mobility problems, had been saving the money to pay household bills and had previously helped Tilley in the past by lending her money and looking after her children. Tilley, of Southport, was jailed for two years as a judge said it was a 'mean offence' in which she had intentionally targeted a disabled old man. Liverpool Crown Court heard that Tilley had stolen her way into the man's home at about 2pm on March 31 last year. Andrew Sinker, prosecuting, said: 'He went to the toilet and when he came out the defendant was stood in the hallway. 'He said 'what are you doing?' She asked him for a drink and some money. He refused and told her to get out.' The victim then went into his bedroom and realised his wallet had gone. Mr Sinker said: 'He went out to speak to her but she was running off down the road. Due to mobility problems he was unable to chase after her.' Police searched Tilley's home and found the wallet, with the 31-year-old claiming she had only gone into his home to ask for a loan. Tilley, a drug user, then fabricated a claim that he had agreed to lend her cash, but only if she performed a sexual favour for him. Judge Brian Lewis said: 'The victim had been a friend to you, he had lent you money in the past and he had even looked after your children. 'All of which makes it even more mean that you targeted him. 'When you went through that door you knew perfectly well you were not there to borrow money. You were there to steal. Kelly Tilley went into the house in Wavell Avenue in Stockport, leaving her baby in a pram outside . 'You knew he was no match for you physically and as you ran down the road pushing your pram, there was no prospect of him being able to catch you.' Judge Lewis said her unfounded allegation also caused him great distress and the public would be 'outraged' if she was not sent to prison for the offence. Tilley pleaded guilty to burglary and admitted breaching bail conditions. She was jailed for two years and 10 months and was given a four-year restraining order preventing her from contacting her victim. She had numerous previous convictions including theft.

Summary: Kelly Tilley snuck into Stockport home of a 74-year-old disabled pensioner . She left baby in pram outside on the street and stole £550 from his wallet . When the man came out of the toilet he asked her what she was doing . Tilley fled the house and ran away up the road, pushing the child's pram . When police searched her house she claimed man had lent her the money . She falsely claimed she received cash in exchange for sexual favours . Tilley admitted 'mean' burglary and was jailed for 2 years and 10 months .


Nemanja Matic returns to the Chelsea team after serving a two-match ban in domestic football and Jose Mourinho admits the club has learned valuable lessons from the way he was allowed to leave for Benfica. Matic has become arguably the most important player in Mourinho's team, providing the midfield security and physical presence which allows others the freedom to create. The Chelsea boss insisted he would 'never' have allowed the Serb to leave Stamford Bridge but understands how it happened and applauded the board for showing the courage to sign him again for £22million, three years after he joined Benfica as a makeweight in a deal to sign David Luiz. Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea were 'brave' in deciding to bring Nemanja Matic back to Stamford Bridge . Matic has become an important member of Chelsea's first team since rejoining Chelsea . The 28-year-old has missed Chelsea's last two games against Tottenham and West Ham due to suspension . 'Chelsea were brave by bringing him back,' said Mourinho. 'If in this world you want to do the best for your club you don't protect yourself from possible critics. You simply do what you think is the best. 'We wanted a midfield player and we had on the table three or four but the best one he was a former Chelsea player. I don't say a player they lost but they were brave to say we are sure this is the right one, we are sure he is the best one, we are sure he is going to be a success here. 'Probably the next time Chelsea does a deal with a young player they will keep control. At these ages, the evolution of players can be good or bad. You can loan or even sell a player but you have ways of being in control of his future. 'Another aspect is the fact that Chelsea had so many managers in these years. It is difficult for the business people on the board. For one manager, Matic is the right profile of player, another one thinks Matic can go because I don't like him. This guy I like because he is fast, this guy I don't like because he is small. 'With a philosophy on the table, it is much easier for our board. If I was here, a left-footed player, 1.95 metres tall, would never, never, never leave. Never.' Matic was handed a two-match suspension for pushing Burnley's Ashley Barnes . Mourinho insists Matic wouldn't have been sold if he was in charge during the midfielder's first Chelsea spell . Matic was sent off against Burnley last month for a retaliatory push on Ashley Barnes and missed the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham and a London derby at West Ham, when young centre-half Kurt Zouma deputised in midfield. He returns to the team for the Champions League last-16 tie against PSG at Stamford Bridge, which is poised at 1-1 after the first leg in France. 'It is goof to have him back with we did well without him,' said Mourinho. 'So I've

Summary: Nemanja Matic was used as makeweight in David Luiz's move to Chelsea . Serbian international Matic rejoined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2014 . Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said Matic was one of 'three or four' options .


Shocking new footage has emerged of the moment on Friday night when a Montenegrin fan hurled a lit flare at the head of Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev. The video shows the fans behind the goal in the moments following the start of the game, before one throws a flare onto the pitch that connects with the player. The incident occurred within a minute of kick-off, causing the game to be suspended for around half an hour. Shocking new footage emerges of the stands that the flare was thrown from that hit the Russian goalkeeper . Igor Akinfeev was struck on the head by a lit flare thrown in the first minute of the match in Montenegro . Russia keeper Akinfeev is knocked to the ground by a flare thrown from the stands after one minute . Akinfeev is carried off the pitch on a stretcher, leading to a 30 minute suspension of the game . Play resumed but trouble then erupted between the players in the second half after Russia's Roman Shirokov missed a penalty with the score at 0-0. With further objects coming from the stands, both teams left the field and German referee Deniz Aytekin called the game off after 67 minutes. The head of the Montenegro FA (FSCG) has branded fans who forced the abandonment of Friday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Russia as 'barbarians'. A statement from UEFA on Friday night said it would 'wait to receive reports from the delegate and referee to open disciplinary proceedings'. In a statement published on the FSGC's website, the association's secretary general Momir Durdevac said: 'The match from the first minute was on the verge of interruption. 'You saw how many people were involved in the organisation, how many times we asked the crowd to refrain from everything. 'But it seems that we do not deserve, neither the country nor the national team, a place in the big competition. 'They are here to disrupt, they are here to be barbarians. When we play against the great teams and great players, they are here to denounce these players, not to enjoy their skills. 'To interrupt the match, to throw something on the pitch, and then chant: "Montenegro, I love you" - it is such hypocrisy, it's such primitivism that should not be seen anywhere. 'For me, the game should not have continued after the first minute.' Durdevac also questioned whether players will accept future international call-ups amid such an atmosphere. Montenegro fans light flares from the stands during the Euro qualifier on Friday . A mass brawl between Russia and Montenegro players led to the Euro 2016 qualifier being abandoned . 'This is a human catastrophe,' he said. 'This is the final straw and someone has to say, "Enough!". 'What can we do after this? We pay a fine, we say goodbye to a great competition. And then there is a new game, and again there are flares and again there are chants, everything that should not be. 'Sorry, but I had to say this because as players responding to the call for

Summary: Montenegro's Euro 2016 qualifier with Russia abandoned after mass brawl . Russia goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev earlier hit in the head with a flare . FA general secretary blasts their fans as hypocrites and 'barbarians' Russian Football Union demands to be awarded victory .


Within minutes of the final whistle at every Champions League tie, the two managers are in possession of a full statistical analysis of the match. Sadly, the temptation is still to look at the scoreline. At the sharp end of European football English teams cannot keep the ball. On the continent, this is considered to be a crime. It is the primary reason all four English teams - Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City - were eliminated from the Champions League before the quarter-final draw. Manchester City's players leave the Nou Camp looking glum after being eliminated from Champions League . Lionel Messi stole the show on Wednesday, taking 116 touches, 42 more than any other City player . Manchester City had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for keeping the score to just one at the Nou Camp . Messi joins in the celebrations with goalscorer Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez during the first half . Will we ever learn? Probably not. Over two legs in the Champions League second round, Manchester City did not have a single player who touched the ball on more than 74 occasions. It is pitiful. Where was David Silva? Where was Samir Nasri? Where was Yaya Toure? Nowhere, absolutely nowhere. In the Nou Camp on Wednesday, when Barcelona won 1-0 and it would not have flattered them had they scored eight, nine or 10, Lionel Messi touched the ball 116 times. That’s what we are in the game for, to be spellbound by players who want to make things happen with a clever twist or spin or flick. At the Etihad, when Barcelona won 2-1 in the first leg, Messi settled for 107 in the Premier League champions’ backyard. James Milner was City’s highest with 64. Martin Jol always encouraged his players to ‘be the boss of the ball’ when he was head coach at Tottenham. English football still looks to be terrified of it. Former Tottenham manager Martin Jol always encouraged his players to 'be the boss of the ball' Pep Guardiola's Bayern are joint top for passing accuracy with Barca (89.2 per cent) this season . To those who followed the fortunes of the four English teams in the Champions League, it will not come as a surprise to anyone that none of them are in the top five for passing accuracy. Barcelona, who toyed with City during Wednesday’s 1-0 victory in the second leg, are joint top with Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich (89.2 per cent). Next come 10-time champions Real Madrid (88.3), followed by Paris Saint Germain (88.1) and another team entrenched in the obsession with possession, Ajax (87.5). The elite teams rely on possession, keeping the ball in circulation until they can carve out an opening and move in for the kill. We will hear some tripe over the next few days, with people convinced that we must continue to refine a mangled, hybrid system to suit English football. Well 40 years in and it’s not working. Arsenal were dumped out on Tuesday despite being favourably drawn against Monaco in the last

Summary: Manchester City became the latest team to be eliminated from Europe . City were dumped out of the Champions League last 16 by Barcelona . No English club made it to the quarter-finals of this season's competition . Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool were all knocked out before the last eight .


Two MPs nearly came to blows in the Commons in a row over a 'bitch' jibe aimed at Employment Minister Esther McVey. Tory Andrew Griffiths, 44, and Labour's Ronnie Campbell, 71, squared up to each other – with Mr Campbell challenging Mr Griffiths to 'get outside'. The row came after Tory Ms McVey was targeted by Labour over her role in welfare cuts. She accused Labour's John McDonnell of having asked people in her Merseyside constituency to 'lynch the bitch'. Employment Minister Esther McVey (left) accused a Labour MP of asking people in her constituency to 'lynch the bitch'. Tory Andrew Griffiths and Labour's Ronnie Campbell (right) then squared up to each other . As Labour MPs mocked Ms McVey, Mr Griffiths demanded that Mr Campbell stop laughing at her. Then they left their seats and confronted each other, resulting in Serjeant-at-Arms Lawrence Ward, the sword-carrying official in charge of Commons security, ordering them to leave the chamber. They continued their feud in the Members' Lobby before going their separate ways. Last night Mr Campbell said: 'He [Griffiths] was shouting at me and pointing. I told him to get outside and we had a bit of an altercation. He said, 'Go on, hit me, I'll call the police and have you in court'.' Mr Griffiths said: 'It was handbags. I was defending Esther's honour. I am gentleman.' The row was sparked after Speaker John Bercow had taunted Ms McVey during a debate, saying she sounded like 'a washing machine that does not stop'. As Labour MPs mocked Ms McVey, Mr Griffiths (pictured) demanded that Mr Campbell stop laughing at her .

Summary: Tory MP Esther McVey was targeted by Labour over her role in welfare cuts . She accused MP of telling people in her constituency to 'lynch the bitch' Tory Andrew Griffiths and Labour's Ronnie Campbell almost came to blows . They confronted each other and were ordered to leave the chamber .


Matthew Fry (pictured) broke his girlfriend's wrist after she accused him of flirting with another woman at a civic function . A former Labour councillor who broke his girlfriend's wrist after she accused him of flirting with another woman at a civic function has been spared jail. Matthew Fry, 34, shoved partner Ann Simmons, 41, into a door after they rowed about his 'flirtatious behaviour' at a council ball on Boxing Day last year. A court heard the bust-up started after the politician attended the Stoke-on-Trent City Council event alone because Miss Simmons was unable to attend. The next day she saw Facebook messages about his flirty behaviour at the party before accusing him of chatting up a woman and trying to sleep with her. The councillor then lashed out and pushed her into a door causing her to suffer a broken wrist. Magistrates also heard Fry punched Miss Simmons in the face while she was driving a month later on January 24. The following day he attacked his partner again after turning up drunk at her home at 4am where he punched her twice in the face. Fry admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two charges of assault by beating at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on February 12. But he avoided prison and was sentenced to 16 weeks in jail, suspended for 12 months at the same court. Fry - who represents the suburb of Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire - was also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and attend a domestic abuse programme. Prosecutor Edward Saulsby said the couple had been together for about one year and were planning to get engaged. But the relationship became strained following the row following the Boxing Day function. He said: 'Miss Simmons believed there had been a flirtatious incident at the ball between Mr Fry and another lady. It caused a row. 'This resulted in him storming off to leave and her blocking the door. 'Mr Fry said he attempted to move her out of the way by pulling her and he accepts running at her, connecting with her arm and the door. A court heard the bust-up started after the politician attended a Stoke-on-Trent City Council event. The Civic Centre offices are pictured above . 'Her arm connected with the door which caused the injury - a fracture to the right wrist.' Rebecca Dulson, defending, said: 'Mr Fry fully accepts responsibility for his actions and expresses remorse. 'He has voluntarily contacted a counselling service in an attempt to deal with the issues he has. 'He has no previous convictions.' Fry left the Labour party in February last year and now sits as a non-aligned member of the council.

Summary: Matthew Fry shoved Ann Simmons in row over his behaviour at civic event . She accused Stoke-on-Trent City councillor of flirting with another woman . Fry pushed the 41-year-old into a door causing her to suffer a broken wrist . 34-year-old admitted one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm . Former Labour councillor also admitted two charges of assault by beating . But he was spared prison after being handed a suspended jail sentence .


In what doctors are calling an extraordinarily rare case of survival, a 22-month-old Pennsylvania boy whose lifeless body was pulled from an icy creek was revived after an hour and 41 minutes of CPR, and has suffered virtually no lingering effects. Gardell Martin came home from the hospital on Sunday, and his doctors said Thursday he has made a full recovery. 'It's not only extraordinarily rare that we got the kid back, but what's even more extraordinary is the rate at which he recovered and the completeness of his recovery,' said Dr. Frank Maffei, director of the pediatric intensive care unit at Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville. Scroll down for video . Lucy escape: Gardell Martin (pictured with his mother Rose) fell into a stream that runs through his own near Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, and was swept away by the fast current on March 11 . 'The stars and moon aligned, and he had an angel on his shoulder.' Gardell and two of his brothers had gone outside to play on March 11 when, at some point, he fell into the stream that runs through their five-acre property near Mifflinburg and was swept away by the fast-moving current. His seven-year-old brother, Greg, ran into the house and screamed that he couldn't find Gardell. Their mother, Rose Martin, did a quick search of the property before realizing her young son had likely fallen into the creek, which was swollen because of melting snow. She called 911 while her two teenage daughters began walking downstream in a frantic search for the toddler. Scene of the incident: Gardell's body temperature was 77 degrees, more than 20 degrees below normal, after he fell into this river - against all odds, his heart restarted after CPR . It was a neighbor who found Gardell nearly a quarter-mile away, caught up in a tree branch, the water gushing around his body. An ambulance crew arrived moments later, found no pulse and began CPR. Resuscitation would continue, unbroken, for 101 minutes - in the ambulance, at a community hospital, aboard a medical helicopter and, finally, in the emergency room of Janet Weis, the pediatric wing of Geisinger Medical Center, where a team of some 30 doctors and nurses sprang into action. Gardell's body temperature was 77 degrees when he arrived, more than 20 degrees below normal. In this case, the boy's profound hypothermia worked to his advantage, dramatically slowing his metabolism and giving his organs 'some degree of protection from cardiac arrest,' Maffei said. Knowing that, Maffei ordered CPR to continue while the team slowly warmed his body. At around 82 degrees, they detected a pulse. Against all odds, his heart had restarted. Hours later, Gardell regained consciousness - and his brain function was normal, stunning doctors yet again. 'It was an act of God,' said his grateful mother, Rose Martin. 'There is no doubt in my mind it's a miracle. God had the right people in the right place at the right time and they all did a wonderful job.' Dr. Richard Lambert, the attending physician in

Summary: Gardell Martin fell into a stream that runs through his own near Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, and was swept away by the fast current on March 11 . A neighbor found the 22-month-old nearly a quarter-mile away, caught up in a tree branch, the water gushing around his body . An ambulance crew arrived moments later, found no pulse and began CPR . Resuscitation would continue, unbroken, for 101 minutes . Gardell's body temperature was 77 degrees, more than 20 degrees below normal . Against all odds, his heart restarted and Gardell regained consciousness .


Cristiano Ronaldo disappeared straight down the tunnel of the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night while the rest of his team-mates went to the centre-circle to applaud supporters. It followed a strange night for the Real Madrid forward just seven days ahead of the Clasico. He failed to celebrate Gareth Bale’s opening goal because he was too busy lamenting his own misfortune at not scoring. Ronaldo failed to connect properly with a scissor kick from the edge of the area and when the ball was headed off the line Bale volleyed it into the top corner. Incredibly Ronaldo could be seen throwing his arms up in the air both before and after Bale converted the rebound. Cristiano Ronaldo cannot mask his frustration after striking the post with an early chance to put Real ahead . The World Player of the Year endured a difficult game, with his temper bubbling below the surface . It was a tough night for Ronaldo, who will need to improve in time for next week's Clasico . Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘Ronaldo's extraordinarily stroppy reaction to Bale scoring from a rebound from his effort was bizarre and unhealthy.’ Ronaldo was also frustrated when Bale scored his second goal getting the slightest of touches on a Ronaldo shot but enough to divert it past the Levante goalkeeper to wrap up the three points. He also missed a string of chances the day after he was overtaken by Leo Messi in La Liga’s list of top scorers for this season. Ahead of their meeting at the Nou Camp next week the Argentine has 32 goals – two more than Ronaldo. Ever since Ronaldo collected his third Balon D’or in January and announced to the world that he was ‘coming for’ Messi who has four Golden Ball awards, things have worked in reverse for the planet’s two finest players. Ronaldo nicks the ball past Levante's Ivan Lopez but he didn't stay behind at the end to applaud the fans . This acrobatic Ronaldo volley was headed off the line, before Bale fired in the rebound to make it 1-0 . VIDEO Bale was more motivated - Ancelotti . Messi was 12 goals behind Ronaldo last December but he has not been able to stop scoring since the turn of the year and Real Madrid’s Portuguese striker has dried up. ‘Cristiano was lively because he made the first goal and the second. He didn’t score but he contributed a lot,’ said Carlo Ancelotti after the game. Ronaldo hardly cracked a smile when celebrating with team-mate Dani Carvajal . The frustration was written all over Ronaldo's face as he leaned against the frame of the goal . And he didn't look a happy chappy sitting on the pitch during his side's La Liga victory . The Italian coach said he had no reason not to be positive ahead of next week’s Clasico and admitted: ‘Bale was more motivated than usual and the presence of [Luka] Modric helps him. They know each other very well from playing together at Tottenham.' He will need his talisman

Summary: Cristiano Ronaldo refused to applaud supporters after the game . Real Madrid star didn't celebrate when team-mate Gareth Bale scored . Ronaldo has been in poor form since winning third Ballon d'Or . Real Madrid won 2-0, with Bale scoring both goals . CLICK HERE for all the latest Real Madrid news .


For one final time, the greatest ever jump jockey will grace his sport’s most spectacular and exciting stage. I urge you not to miss him. McCoy. AP. Nineteen-time champion jump jockey and the most recognisable initials in sport. The 2015 Cheltenham Festival boasts a glittering cast of equine and human stars but the spotlight is on one man. Ruby Walsh (right) will ride Willie Mullins-trained Faugheen in the Champions Hurdle at Cheltenham . The one who will finally walk away from the sport by the end of this season after announcing his abdication following an unchallenged 20-year reign. He is the phenomenon whose record-smashing, off-the-scale achievements have transcended the parochial boundaries of horse racing, the patron saint to millions of punters and sworn enemy of bookmakers. But both sides of that age-old skirmish will probably be praying that the 40-year-old from County Antrim has a final Festival to remember. The next four days for McCoy are not the last time he will ride. It will probably not even be the last time he rides at Cheltenham. McCoy celebrates winning the Gold Cup with Synchronised in 2012 . But it seems like the equivalent of Roger Federer’s last game on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Ronnie O’Sullivan playing his final frame at The Crucible and — should Liverpool make it through — Steven Gerrard stepping on to the Wembley turf in an FA Cup final. But none of those icons can boast the domination of their own sport like McCoy has ruled racing. He is arguably the best pound-for-pound sportsman around — something crucial in a sport where weights and measures equate to short-head victories or defeats. And nobody loves winning and hates losing more than AP. Thirty Festival wins started with Kibreet in the 1996 Grand Annual Chase. Look back a further 12 months and no-one would have guessed the shape of the last 20 years. His first meeting, then held over three days, consisted of seven rides, three of them 100-1 shots. First up was Supreme Master, who was 16th of 20 in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Champion jockey AP McCoy will be competing his his last Cheltenham Festival before retirement . There was a seventh place finish on veteran Beech Road behind Master Oats in the Gold Cup and his best was sixth place on Brave Tornado in the Triumph Hurdle. The middle Wednesday he was riding at Nottingham — a track that does not have a jumps course any more — where he rode a winner. That first experience of the Festival probably taught the young McCoy that Cheltenham is great when you are successful but miserable when it goes wrong. Losing can tear you apart. It is a feeling I know well and McCoy probably enjoyed that Nottingham winner far more than merely being able to play a bit part at the Festival. Just taking part has never been enough for him. There have been times when his pain has been plain for all to see. He got plenty of stick for not smiling even when he won, never mind

Summary: Jockey AP McCoy will appear Cheltenham Festival for the last time . The Nineteen-time champion jump jockey to retire at end of the season . The 40-year-old is arguably the best pound-for-pound sportsman around .


French rider Lloyd Mondory has tested positive for blood-boosting agent EPO and has been provisionally suspended, the UCI has announced. The 32-year-old Ag2r La Mondiale rider's positive result came during an out-of-competition test. A statement from the UCI read: 'The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announces that it has notified French rider Lloyd Mondory of an adverse analytical finding of EPO in a sample collected in the scope of an out-of-competition control on February 17, 2015. Lloyd Mondory, of Team Ag2r La Mondiale, has been suspended after testing positive for EPO . Mondory's positive result came during an out of competition test . 'The rider has the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. In accordance with the UCI anti-doping rules, the rider has been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the affair. 'At this stage of the procedure, the UCI will not comment any further.' The news comes in the week the Cycling Independent Reform Commission published its report into doping.

Summary: Lloyd Mondory failed an out of competition drugs test on February 17 . The 32-year-old has been provisionally suspended until matter is resolved . Mondory races for Team Ag2r La Mondiale .


A student is fundraising for children with cancer after he defied medical odds by beating a brain tumour three times. Chandos Green, a student at Chichester University, West Sussex, must still have annual MRI scans after he endured three risky surgeries merely to survive to the age of 19. And now, just months after his last operation, he is already training for the 2015 London Marathon in the hope he can raise thousands for the charity Children With Cancer UK. Survivor: Chandos Green, 19, who has battled a life-threatening tumour three times. Right shows the scar on his head from his most-recent operation to remove the tumour at Southampton General Hospital . Fighter: Despite surviving his last brush with death less than a year ago, Chichester University student Mr Green is now training to run the London Marathon this year to raise money for a cancer charity . Speaking of his latest brush with death - only averted when surgeons removed a golf ball-sized tumour - Mr Green said: 'I remember asking the surgeon if I was going to die and I broke down when I was going under the anaesthetic. 'Luckily I was fine and managed to beat the tumour once again. But the operation made me realise that life can be short.' Mr Green, from Bournemouth, Dorset, appeared to be a healthy toddler until, at the age of three, he began suffering dizzy spells and falling over unexpectedly. After his worried mother took him to see their family doctor, her son was referred to Poole hospital where specialists diagnosed a brain tumour. Brain surgeons at Southampton General Hospital were able to remove most of the tumour, but were unable to take out parts that were close to Mr Green's motor neurons - the essential circuits that connect the brain to the muscles. Mr Green remembered: 'When they discovered the tumour I was still really young but I remember being in the hospital and being confused by it all. 'I recovered quickly from the operation and managed to start school but that's when the problems started. 'Initially people didn't say anything about my scars but then people kept coming up to me and asking what happened to my head. 'They began to notice the tumour had given me a limp and I had lost movement in my left wrist.' Fighting for his life: A picture of Mr Green aged three recovering from the first of his operations to remove the tumour in his brain. It was diagnosed after he began suffering dizzy spells and falling over . Tests: Mr Green aged five. Despite the success of Mr Green's first operation, his symptoms soon returned and he was forced to undergo a second operation at the age of six to again remove his brain tumour . Recovery: Mr Green aged six, following his second operation. He remained cancer free for the next 13 years until he enrolled at Chichester University, when the familiar symptoms began to reappear . With the same symptoms reappearing just a couple of years after his first fight

Summary: Chandos Green survived brain surgery at three, six and 19 years old . Just months after his last brush with death, he is training for a marathon . The keen runner hopes to raise money for a children's cancer charity .


The Married at First Sight star who almost left her groom at the altar because she wasn't physically attracted to him was forced to smile throughout a cringe-worthy post-wedding photoshoot with her new husband - who was, ironically, thrilled to have married his new wife. On last night's episode of the FYI reality show, 30-year-old Jaclyn Methuen, from Union, New Jersey, looked incredibly uncomfortable as she was forced to hold hands and cuddle up with her new groom Ryan Ranellone, 29, from Long Island, New York, as the pair posed for their first pictures as newlyweds. 'When I look back at those pictures I am going to see a girl [who] was very overwhelmed - disappointed. I wanted to get a guy that's tall, dark and handsome,' she revealed to the cameras. Cringe-worthy: Jaclyn Methuen grimaced as she posed for wedding photos with her new husband Ryan Ranellone on last night's episode of Married at First Sight . All for show: Jaclyn faked a smile for the camera as Ryan swept her off her feet after their nuptials . Forced together: The 30-year-old sales rep was visibly uncomfortable as the posed next to Ryan, letting out an awkward laugh after he told her that she was making him warm . She continued: 'He is a little younger than I would have liked. He lives all the way on Long Island. How is that going to work? His accent is really going to really annoy me. At this present moment this is what I am feeling - definitely disappointment.' To make matters worse, Ryan was oblivious to Jaclyn's feelings, despite the fact that they hugged instead of kissing after they said 'I do'. When the sale rep commented that her new husband felt warm, he responded by noting that he is usually cold. 'You are doing something to me already,' he told her. Jaclyn responded to his playful comment by letting out an awkward laugh. Miserable bride: Ryan, who stated that he was very attracted to Jaclyn, leaned in for a kiss during the photoshoot . Total strangers: Jaclyn told the cameras that she was going to look back at her wedding photos and see a girl who was 'very overwhelmed' 'Jaclyn's a beautiful girl, and I feel instant chemistry,' he told the cameras. 'I just hope she feels the same.' But his new wife was secretly overwhelmed by her whirlwind wedding to a complete strange. 'This is a lot. This is just making me feel uncomfortable,' she said of the photoshoot. 'I am a very open person and I am very affectionate and touchy, but that's when I get to know somebody.' She added: 'We are not essentially really a couple. Legally we are, but emotionally we're not. We're still strangers.' One of the show's relationship experts Dr Pepper Schwartz told the cameras that Jaclyn is 'putting on a good face for the wedding, but that is all she is doing'. Grin and bear it: Jaclyn faked a smile as Ryan held her from behind . Missed connection: The couple stared at

Summary: Jaclyn Methuen, from Union, New Jersey, married Ryan Ranellone, from Long Island, New York, on last night's episode of Married at First Sight . The 30-year-old had second thoughts about saying 'I do' to her groom because she was unimpressed by his appearance on the show's premiere . On the second episode of the new season, Jaclyn went through with the wedding, but said she 'feels like this is a huge mistake'


A teenager was killed by stepping in front of a train just minutes after being told his grades weren't good enough to stay at sixth form college, an inquest has heard. Michael Platt, 18, had been studying in the first year of sixth form at Ifield Community College in Ifield, West Sussex, and had left the school just ten minutes before he was struck by a train and killed. An inquest at Horsham Coroners' Court heard he had been told he had not achieved the grades to enable him to return for a second year, and was advised to go to Central Sussex College's Crawley campus to see if he could join a course there. Student Michael Platt, 18, walked in front of a train at Horsham station, West Sussex, after finding out he did not have the grades to progress into the second year of college, an inquest has heard . Instead, in a state of 'turmoil', he jumped over the level crossing where he was struck by a train and killed. Michael from Gossops Green, East Sussex, was a member of the college choir and had planned to go to university to study child psychology. Mother Jane spoke at the inquest, and told the coroner her son 'was the life and soul of the party', Crawley News reports. She said her son was her best friend, and added: 'The only time he told me anything, looking back, in hindsight, was he thought the world wasn't a nice place and he had an issue with the way society is. 'All he said was "what is the point? We struggle; we work hard for nothing at the end of it". 'I said "you leave a legacy". But to him the world was an ugly place.' The 18-year-old had been studying in the first year of sixth form at Ifield Community College in Ifield, West Sussex, and had left the school just ten minutes before he was struck by a train and killed . Inspector Gary Ancell said. 'As the train driver approached the level crossing he said he saw people on either side of the closed gates. 'As he got nearer he saw a young male jump over the barrier and stand in the middle of the railway track, immediately in front of his train. 'There was nothing the train driver could do and he could not stop in time.' Coroner Dr David Skipp said as there was no note left behind, or a phone call from Mr Platt to loved ones, he did not believe the teenager had meant to take his own life. He recorded an open verdict, and added: 'I expect he was in turmoil when he left the school. 'Whatever was going through his mind, he took absolutely drastic measures, measures which I think he hadn't considered the effects of, and who would be hurt by what he did.' For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.

Summary: Michael Platt, 18, was sixth form pupil at Ifield Community College . He was told his grades were not good enough to progress to second year . He'd left the school just ten minutes before he was struck by a train . Inquest heard that he jumped over the level crossing where he was struck . Coroner recorded open verdict as wasn't certain he meant to kill himself .


An ornate scabbard chape belonging to Admiral Lord Nelson - discovered on the bed of the River Thames by a police diver in the 1970s - has surfaced at auction for £70,000. It is believed the 6in long enamel and diamond decoration that fixed onto the bottom end of the naval hero's sword case was tossed into the water by thieves decades before. It was discovered in 1973 purely by chance by a police diver searching for a weapon used in a crime. Admiral Lord Nelson's sword scabbard (pictured) is set to sell at auction for up to £70,000 . The chape was from a scimitar sword presented to Nelson by the Sultan Selim III of the Turkish Empire to commemorate the British victory over the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. It is decorated in diamonds with the star and crescent which matches the Ottoman Order of the Crescent granted to Nelson in 1799. The locket no longer exists as it was melted down years ago but the chape is now coming up for auction in London with a pre-sale estimate of £50,000 to £70,000. The one-armed naval hero (illustrated) was famed for his victories at sea, mostly notably the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar . Michael Moorcroft, of auctioneers Bonhams, said: 'The chape would have been a super-expensive item of the day. 'We can associate it with Nelson through the star and crescent at the centre of the decoration which matches the Ottoman Order of the Crescent conferred on Nelson in 1799 and as seen in a portrait of him in 1801. 'The sheer quality of workmanship that has gone into it is quite stunning. 'It is an object that is pretty fabulous.' Five years before its discovery, an ornate locket with an identical decoration that was used on the top part of Nelson's scabbard was found during dredging work of the River Wey in Surrey. The location wasn't far from the Thames at Windsor where the chape was found, nor from Nelson's palatial home at Merton. Both discoveries were featured on BBC's Blue Peter. Mr Moorcroft added: 'Both the locket and the chape were found at the bottom of rivers just five years and a few miles apart. The locket was found about 20 miles from Nelson's estate at Merton. The chape is being sold by Bonhams on April 1.

Summary: An ornate scabbard gifted to Admiral Lord Nelson is set to sell for £70,000 . It was discovered by a police diver on the bed of the River Thames in 1970 . Lord Nelson died while leading his men to victory at the Battle of Trafalgar . The scabbard was given to him by Sultan Selim III of the Turkish Empire . Bonhams have listed it for auction on April 1 with staggering pre-estimate .


Ksenia Sobchak (above) has fled Russia after receiving death threats in the wake of the murder of Boris Nemtsov . A glamorous TV presenter has fled Russia after receiving death threats in the wake of the murder of Boris Nemtsov, it was revealed today. Ksenia Sobchak, who is also a prominent Moscow opposition figure and glossy magazine editor, was urged to leave for her own safety by the FSB secret service. Although the 33-year-old had recently hired bodyguards she was still not believed to be safe - despite the fact she had known Vladimir Putin since childhood. 'I am going to leave Russia for a while,' she announced at a Moscow party on Friday. 'Close friends explained off the record that she is leaving not because of her extra sensitivity but because the secret service recommended her to do so,' Kommersant newspaper claimed. Ms Sobchak today said reports saying she was emigrating from Russia were an 'overstatement' but did not deny she was leaving temporarily on secret service advice. It had been reported in Russia that her name was on a 'hit list' of Putin foes. The revelation of her sudden flight abroad came as the Russian president was scheduled to reappear after being out of sight for unexplained reasons since March 5. Despite her family links to Putin, the outspoken Ms Sobchak became a strong critic of the president's authoritarian approach. The prominent blogger started to receive death threats from online trolls soon after opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, 55, was shot in the back near the Kremlin on February 27. At Nemtsov's funeral on March 3, a man approached her and said, 'bear in mind, you are the next one, Ksenia.' Ms Sobchak is the daughter of Putin's political mentor and law professor, the late Anatoly Sobchak, who gave him his first political job after he quit the KGB. Scroll down for video . Ms Sobchak is pictured at her flat, which she has been told to leave by Moscow's secret service despite hiring body guards . The television presenter and opposition figure (right) has known Vladimir Putin (centre holding flowers) since a child as her father Anatoly Sobchak was his political mentor and law professor. They are pictured together at Mr Sobchak's funeral in 2000 . Despite knowing the president (left) since childhood, the 33-year-old (right) has not been reluctant to voice opposition to his policies . For years there were rumours that she was Putin's goddaughter - and while this is not the case, many of his supporters have not forgiven her for openly articulating opposition to his policies. Among Tweeted threats she has received one read: 'Give up Ksenia, your death will be fast.' Another, using an insulting nickname for the TV host, wrote after Nemtsov's death: 'I am also very happy that there is one b****** less; when is it your turn, Horse?' One user called Vadim posted a picture of a man pointing a gun with a list of six prominent opposition surnames - Nemtsov, Navalny, Sobchak, Kudrin, Kasyanov, Khodorkovsky - and wrote: 'Just politics, nothing

Summary: Ksenia Sobchak said she is fleeing Russia at a party on Friday . The 33-year-old TV presenter recently hired body guards but is still not safe . She has known Putin since childhood as her father Anatoly was his political mentor . She openly articulates her opposition to his policies in her blog and on TV . Today, Putin is expected to make first public appearance since March 5 .


A man from Hunan Province in southern China has been imprisoned by his own mother in a chicken shed for an astonishing 13 years, according to the People's Daily Online. Tang Shuangqiang's mother claimed he suffered from mental problems and was called the 'crazy fighter' by their neighbours. She said the family was poor and locking him up in the outhouse was the best solution she had. Home but not home: Tang Shuangqiang (pictured), who is said to suffer from mental illness, has been imprisoned by his mother for 13 years . A resident of the Yang Liu village in Shaoyang City, Mr Tang, 46, started suffering from split personality in 1991 due to various emotional setbacks, including love failures, his mother claimed. Mr Tang's plight was only discovered when old schoolmate Ms Xiao went to visit him, hoping for a happy reunion after 28 years. Instead, Ms Xiao was shocked to see that her old friend being chained with rusty shackles in a former chicken shed no larger than six square metres. Behind the bars: The lot was previously used to keep chickens. There is no furniture or bed inside . The space has no furniture or bed and is filled with hundreds of red plastic bags, which Mr Tang's mother uses to serve him meals. His mother said her only income is an annual subsidiary of 3,000 yuan (£323) from the local authority and she cannot afford proper medical care for son.

Summary: Tang Shuangqiang, 46, is said to suffer from mental issues . The small space was used to keep chicken and has no bed . Plight only came to light when an old school friend paid a visit . Mother says she is poor and has no other way to look after son . Mr Tang is called the 'crazy fighter' by neighbours .


Flag-waving supporters of the United States flooded the streets of Prague today to cheer on a highly visible display of U.S. military might rolling through Europe. Dozens of Stars and Stripes flags, as well as symbols of the Nato military alliance, thronged the capital of the Czech Republic as American soldiers were given a warm welcome by the locals. Armored carriers, including Stryker multi-purpose fighting vehicles, rolled down the highways before coming to a temporary stop in the city's historic streets as part of an overt show of strength to Russian president Vladimir Putin. Scroll down for video . Armored column: Row on row of American firepower rolled through Prague today as Stars and Stripes filled the air . Warm welcome: Locals turned out in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, and waved the Stars and Stripes and the blue flag of Nato as a welcome to visiting U.S. troops . Show of strength: A huge column of armored might has been working its way through Eastern Europe and the Baltic States in the past week as a show of strength in the region . Route: The U.S. armored column began in three different locations before converging in Prague. It will finish in Germany . Are you watching, Vlad? The U.S. Army's Stryker armored assault vehicles, above, were supported by Air Force fighter jets and Army attack choppers for parts of the route . The armored column is headed to an army base in Vilseck, Germany, in a journey spanning more than 1,000 miles. The troops are travelling through Nato member states, including the Czech Republic, in the wake of fears over Russian military intervention in the region. They were given similarly enthusiastic receptions in other European cities. States in the Baltic feel at particular risk as they share a border with Russia. The convoy, part of a mission dubbed Atlantic Resolve, is designed to reassure members and demonstrate that Nato is prepared to defend its member states. Ukraine, which had its Crimea territory annexed by Russia last year, and claims military intervention is ongoing, applied to join Nato in 2008, but the process was never completed. Under the rules of the alliance, any attack on a member state is regarded as an attack on all of them, a tenet credited with checking Soviet expansion during the Cold War. Happy to see them: Czech locals were pleased to see an American military presence as fears continue over Russia's military action in the region . Bringing the sunshine: The overt military operation is designed to reassure Eastern Europe that the U.S. is ready to act . Shaking hands: A Czech man approached an Army reconnaissance vehicle to greet a soldier in person . Big guns: The U.S. has rolled its heavy arms more than a thousand miles from Estonia, with an eventual destination of Germany . The Dragoon Ride convoy began in three separate branches; one in Talinn, Estonia, one in Vilnius, Linthuania and one in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland. They converged in Prague and will continue along a single route to Germany,

Summary: Three American armored convoys today converged in Czech Republic's capital on tour of Eastern Europe . Vehicles have traveled more than 1,000 miles through Poland and the Baltic States as warning to Putin . Countries in the region are nervous after Russian annexation of Crimea and military unrest in the area . U.S. Army said that Nato maneuvers are 'a highly-visible demonstration of U.S. commitment' to the region .


The Christian couple behind a mobile phone app which censors swear words from ebooks have removed all titles from their online catalogue following backlash from authors. Clean Reader replaces certain words that might be deemed R-rated with more friendly alternatives, but authors accused it of 'suppression' and selling 'vandalised' books. A statement from the firm this week said it was removing the titles after finding that 'many authors do not want their books being sold in connection with Clean Reader'. Scroll down for video . Backlash: Chocolat author, Joanne Harris led the opposition to Clean Reader, writing a blog post entitled: 'Why I’m Saying “F*** you” to Clean Reader ' The app was made available for free on both iOS and Android devices and was developed by couple Jared and Kirsten Maughan from Twin Falls in Idaho. After downloading the app, users are able to browse a variety of books, and when opened, can switch between ‘clean’, ‘cleaner’ or ‘squeaky clean’ settings. The lowest setting only blocks ‘major swear words,’ according to Clean Reader, which includes ‘the F-word’. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D. H. Lawrence . Before: ‘I don’t want to f*** you at all. My heart’s as cold as cold potatoes just now.’ After: ‘I don’t want to [freak] you at all. My heart’s as cold as cold potatoes just now.’ Before: ‘It was not woman’s fault, nor even love’s fault, nor the fault of sex.’ After: ‘It was not woman’s fault, nor even love’s fault, nor the fault of [love].’ Before: ‘She threaded two pink campions in the bush of red-gold hair above his penis.’ After: ‘She threaded two pink campions in the bush of red-gold hair above his [groin].’ Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn . Before: ‘The girl is one step ahead of me in everything, even sh**** luck.’ After: ‘The girl is one step ahead of me in everything, even [crappy] luck.’ The ‘cleaner’ setting blocks slightly more words, while the highest setting ‘is the most restrictive setting and will block the most profanity from a book including some hurtful racial terms.’ In the books, deleted words are covered up with a grey box, removing them from view. If users click a green dot in the middle of the box, the app will suggest alternative words that the can be used instead. A statement from The Society of Authors, published yesterday, reads: 'Authors have expressed confusion on social media as they have not been consulted on their works' inclusion in Clean Reader's library, and there appears to be no easy way to opt-out. 'We have also been notified that the algorithm used is imperfect, and that words chosen as replacements can often be unsuitable or even nonsensical.' Chocolat author, Joanne Harris led the opposition to Clean Reader, writing a blog post entitled: 'Why I’m Saying “F*** you” to Clean Reader '. Writing in a subsequent post after it was announced the titles were being removed from the app, she added: 'Though I’m delighted that Clean Reader are no longer selling vandalized books, they are still distributing the app,

Summary: The Clean Reader mobile phone app censors R-rated words from ebooks . Authors accused the firm of 'suppression' and selling 'vandalised books' Firm has removed all titles from its online catalogue after author feedback . Chocolat creator said: 'My book, my rules, and that includes my words'


Ros Altmann, the Government's Business Champion for Older Workers, is releaseing a major report next week . Tens of thousands of women over 50 are being left on the jobless scrapheap years before retirement because they are forced to care for elderly, sick or disabled people in their family. In total, up to 600,000 late middle-aged women are unemployed and looking for work, costing the economy up to £20billion a year. The startling new figure is released today as Dr Ros Altmann, the Government's Business Champion for Older Workers, ahead of a major report next week setting out the steps needed to end the crisis of older people shunted out of work years before retirement. It will highlight caring responsibilities as one of the major barriers preventing women in their 50s and 60s from staying in work. Almost one in four women aged between 50-64 care for elderly, sick or disabled people – with some 153,000 women approaching retirement claiming Carers Allowance – compared to just 87,000 men. The caring responsibilities are hitting women's job prospects – with the employment rate among 50-64 year old women just 63.7 per cent compared to 74.5 per cent for men. Speaking ahead of the launch of her report on Wednesday Dr Altmann told MailOnline: 'We need to harness the potential of older female workers, and provide support for those who would like to work, but feel unable to do so. 'Caring responsibilities can often take women out of the workforce – but if businesses could accommodate more flexible working, often just for a short period, many more women could keep in touch with work and the employer would retain their invaluable experience.' A YouGov poll recently commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions shows that older women would prefer part-time work as they approach retirement. Some 43 per cent of women who are not retired said the best way to retire would be to cut down to part-time or flexible hours before stopping work altogether. Pensions Minister Steve Webb said it was 'essential' for the economy to get more women into work . Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: 'This analysis shows how supporting older workers to stay in jobs is an essential economic priority for the UK. 'The Coalition Government has taken bold action and is turning the tide, but there is more to do – particularly to help older women combine work with caring responsibilities. 'Business in Britain needs to realise the potential of all older workers and take action on this. In the past we were too quick to write people off in this country once they reached a certain age, but the world has changed.'

Summary: Exclusive: 600,000 older women unemployed and looking for work . One in four women aged 50-64 care for elderly, sick or disabled people . 153,000 women nearing retirement claim Carers Allowance and 87,000 men . Government report will highlight caring responsibilities as barrier to work .


A former soldier is suing a hospital in Romania after he went to have a kidney operation and ended up having his penis amputated. Costica Maroleanu, 55, had gone to the County Hospital in the town of Buzau in eastern Romania suffering from kidney failure. Although the operation, carried out by surgeon Dr Iurie Ciochina, was successful, a nurse subsequently fitted his catheter incorrectly, causing Mr Maroleanu's genitalia to become severely infected and leaving doctors with no option but to remove the penis in order to save his life. Victim: Costica Maroleanu, 55, had gone to the County Hospital in the town of Buzau in eastern Romania suffering from kidney failure but an incorrectly-fitted catheter left his penis severely infected . Speaking of the botched catheter fitting, Mr Maroleanu said: 'After the operation they told me there were some complications. Apparently the nurse had not properly fitted a small plastic pipe to help me urinate, and my penis became red and infected. 'I was moved to intensive care and four days later was moved to the nephrology department where they took a sample, but then they just left me there for 10 days. Eventually they did an operation, but then doctor went on holiday.' Shortly afterwards Mr Maroleanu was transferred to the Bucharest Military Hospital. There he underwent a series of examinations with doctors concluding that the only thing they could do was to amputate the infected penis, otherwise there was a strong possibility he would die. A spokesman for the hospital said: 'The foreskin was stripped away completely and most of the cells in the organ were dead. 'The member was black and the only remaining skin was at the base of the shaft and highly infectious. It was recommended to remove the necrotic elements, meaning amputation.' Surgeon: Although the operation, carried out by Dr Iurie Ciochina (pictured), was successful, a nurse subsequently fitted his catheter incorrectly, causing Mr Maroleanu's genitalia to become severely infected . Speaking of this shock after the operation, Mr Maroleanu said: 'It was totally cut off. Now I urinate through an orifice that doctors made between my anus and my testicles. 'I urinate just like a woman. I'm devastated.' Now the former soldier is demanding £362,450 compensation from the original hospital for malpractice. He said: 'If they hadn't botched things up at the beginning this wouldn't have happened.' But Professor Nicolae Calomfirescu, head of Romania's Sexual Medicine Association said: 'I'm not sure he will win by saying he is devastated and has to go to the toilet like a woman. 'It depends on the patient's image of himself. If you cut my right hand with me being a surgeon, I will be devastated. If you cut the left hand of a violinist, he will be devastated,' he said. 'But should he be devastated by the loss of his penis? I would say the man needs to be evaluated by a psychologist,' he added.

Summary: Costica Maroleanu went to County Hospital in Buzau for kidney surgery . 55-year-old's operation was a success and he looked forward to recovery . But a nurse fitted his catheter incorrectly causing a severe penis infection . Doctors had no option but to remove Mr Maroleanu's penis to save his life . Now the ex-soldier is demanding £362,450 compensation over the incident .


Parliament ended with the most tremendous, tetchy – tearful! – squabble: should Speaker Bercow's future be decided by secret ballot? It became a day of wondrous hysteria, tantrums, moist hankies and (for the time being) survival for this stinker of a Speaker. Labour MPs and a handful of men on the Weirdo Right insisted that a secret ballot would be 'undemocratic'. Moderate Tories and Lib Dems argued that MPs openly voting against Bercow feared the Squeaker's tyrannical vengeance crashing about their ears. Scroll down for video . Speaker John Bercow (pictured) fought back tears as a motion to vote on a secret ballot to unseat him was defeated 228 to 202 . Good grief, you mean an allegedly impartial Speaker might hold grudges? You mean this shouty, sarcastic, balled fist of a Speaker might nurse resentments and use his privileged position to queer the Commons? Labour and its Cameron-haters on the Right – unhappy creatures such as Edward Leigh and David Davis – narrowly won the day. By the end, Bercow was blubbing with relief, while his friend (and possible successor) Charles Walker was wailing that some beastly, beastly men had not been entirely clear with him beforehand. Boo hoo! Mr Walker is so widely seen as a Bercow stooge, it may not be surprising that he was kept out of the loop by Bercow's enemies. His chin-crumpling speech, in which he said he preferred to be thought an honest fool than a clever schemer, was greeted with frenetic clapping from Labour. It was soon being compared to the Gettysburg Address, Churchill's 'fight them on the beaches' speech, the Sermon on the Mount. Labour MPs and Bercow's Tory nutjobs waved their Order Papers and accused Commons Leader William Hague of being a Soviet Union dictator. Bercowites leapt in the air, brandishing their pleasure and accusing the secret ballot crowd of being 'grubby' and 'partisan'. Bercow supporters had been taken by surprise on Wednesday evening by a cunning ploy from Westminster's very own Baldrick, Government Chief Whip Michael Gove. A secret ballot may have looked harmless. We all have one in the coming general election. 'Labour MPs and Bercow's Tory nutjobs waved their Order Papers and accused Commons Leader William Hague (pictured) of being a Soviet Union dictator' But Labour – which regards Bercow as a client Speaker – saw that a secret ballot would give its own MPs the cloak of anonymity. That would make them impossible to Whip. Labour MPs were therefore hauled back from the furthest ends of the kingdom to save the Speaker for socialism. At this point you will say 'well, naturally Bercow must have let one of his deputies chair the debate, as it would have been improper for him to supervise it himself'. You do not know this man. Of course he chaired it! And he did so in the most hilariously biased fashion, calling a succession of his mates. Labour delayed the debate, thus allowing its troops to get back from their constituencies. How did they do this? By asking the Speaker to give them

Summary: MPs voted on 'secret ballot' to unseat John Bercow as Commons speaker . Labour MPs and some on right said such a vote would be undemocratic . He fought back tears as the motion was defeated by 228 votes to 202 . The announcement was met with rapturous applause by labour MPs .


The wrong man was cremated in place of MEP Philip Bradbourn (pictured) at his funeral in January . A mortuary cremated the wrong body at the funeral of Tory MEP Philip Bradbourn in an astonishing mix-up which saw the politician's family bid farewell to a stranger with the same name. Mr Bradbourn died shortly after being re-elected as an MEP for the West Midlands. The 63-year-old had been battling bowel cancer. But at a ceremony at Bushbury Crematorium in Wolverhampton on January 16, another man's body was cremated in his place. The blunder came after officials confused the politician's coffin with that of Philip Bradburn, an unknown man whose own funeral had been arranged by social services. Mr Bradbourn's family slammed the mix-up after having to hold a second funeral for him the following month. The 63-year-old died in Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield in December after battling the disease. His body was taken to the Central England Co-operative Funeralcare mortuary, where another man, Philip Bradburn, also lay. Mr Bradburn died in Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth's Hospital around the same time. A month after the funeral, Mr Bradbourn's family were told of the blunder. Earlier this week politicians gathered to pay their respects to Mr Bradbourn at St Peter’s Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton. Yesterday Tory West Midlands MEP Anthea McIntyre spoke of her horror at learning her former colleague's body had been mixed up. 'I attended Phil’s funeral in January and it was a smallish affair which was what Phil wanted. It was very moving and his friends planned a memorial day in March. 'I was telephoned by his executor informing me that a man with a very similar name had died and his body was mistakenly cremated. Mr Bradbourn died shortly after being re-elected as an MEP for the West Midlands. The 63-year-old had been battling bowel cancer . Mr Bradbourn was taken to Bushbury Cemetery and Crematorium in Wolverhampton (above) after losing his battle with cancer . The 63-year-old was being treated at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield which has launched an investigation into the incident . Another man, called Philip Bradburn, had also been taken to the crematorium from Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham (above) 'It is deeply distressing and my first thought was there has been a family who have been robbed of a funeral for their loved one. 'My understanding is that the gentleman did not have any close family or relatives but nevertheless this should not be allowed to happen. Mr Bradbourn (pictured in 2005) spent 20 years in local government before becoming a political adviser . 'The hospital trust has launched an investigation and I know that serious questions have been sent right to the top of Government on this issue.' It is not clear whose shoulders the mistake falls on but all parties involved said they were conducting investigations into the incident. 'We are very sorry that this has happened - we are carrying out a full and urgent investigation between all the parties involved. 'This is a rare incident and we are

Summary: Philip Bradbourn, 63, died in December after battling bowel cancer . His family held a funeral for him in Wolverhampton on January 16 . But a mix up by workers saw the wrong body cremated in his place . Philip Bradburn, an unknown man with a similar name, cremated instead . Investigations have been launched by the hospitals and crematorium .


Former Brazil international Roberto Dinamite, who was president of Vasco da Gama when the club sold Philippe Coutinho to Inter Milan, believes the Liverpool playmaker will wear the Brazil number 10 shirt for years to come. Dinamite was head of Vasco when they reluctantly packed the teenager off to Europe in 2010. Dinamite said: 'He already stood out when he left Vasco. And he is fulfilling his potential at Liverpool. He has that Brazilian talent, honed and developed in Europe, and he will keep getting better. Philippe Coutinho scores a stunning goal against Southampton at St Mary's in February . Coutinho has scored a number of key goals for Liverpool this season, including against Manchester City . 'He came to us aged 14 and it is a shame we only had him for a short time but the offers for him came very soon. Brazil need players who play the way he does with the close control and passing that he displays.' Coutinho was overlooked by Luiz Felipe Scolari ahead of last summer's World Cup but it seems new coach Dunga wants to build his team around his partnership with Neymar. The 22-year-old has been in excellent form for Liverpool this season, scoring a number of crucial goals to help them in their pursuit of the top four.

Summary: Roberto Dinamite thinks Philippe Coutinho has a key role in Brazil's future . Coutinho was overlooked by Luiz Felipe Scolari for 2014 World Cup . Brazil coach Dunga looking to build team around Coutinho and Neymar .


The BBC has apologised after John Inverdale made an x-rated comment during BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage of the Cheltenham Festival. While interviewing former jockey John Francome and young jockey Lizzie Kellie, the presenter referred to 'rose-c*****' glasses live on air. Speaking to Kellie, Inverdale had said: 'This is looking at it through rose-c*****... rose-tinted glasses from the past... [I] apologise there for a slip of the tongue, but Lizzie your love of the sport just shines through.' John Inverdale, at Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday, made an x-rated comment live on air . After the incident, a BBC spokesperson said: 'It was a slip of the tongue and John apologised immediately afterwards.' It is not the first time Inverdale, who has over 30 years' broadcasting experience, has been forced to apologise for making inappropriate comments. In 2013 he sparked outrage when he said tennis player Marion Bartoli was 'never going to be a looker' live on air before her appearance in the Wimbledon women's singles final. Inverdale later apologised to Bartoli, while also claiming his comments were in part attributable to a bout of hayfever which had left him feeling under the weather. A jubilant Ruby Walsh enters the winners enclosure on board the Champions Hurdle winner Faugheen .

Summary: Presenter John Inverdale said 'rose-c*****' glasses live on air . The 57-year-old was interviewing former jockey John Francome and young jockey Lizzie Kellie during BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage .


It's art in the most temporary form. For as soon as the tide comes in, Chris Howarth's beautiful beach designs are lost forever. Talented 'sand artist' Chris, 25, of Marazion, Cornwall, drives to nearby Gwithian beach where he spends an hour on each creation using nothing more than his trusty rake. Inspired by the work of sand artist Tony Platt, Chris bought himself a rake and headed to his local beach to give it a try . The talented artist places his rake into the sand and experimenting with lines and swirls until he spots patterns emerging . He drags the rake through the sand to create an array of impressive geometric shapes, which are washed away as soon as the tide comes in. But Chris says he doesn't mind that his work only has a limited life-span - as he has managed to capture all his designs on camera, with a beautiful background created by the beach's dramatic cliff face. Inspired by the work of fellow Cornwall-based sand artist Tony Plant, who has created intricate works on Great Western beach in Newquay, Chris bought himself a rake and headed to his local beach to give it a try. He drags his rake through the sand to create an array of impressive geometric shapes . Chris says he doesn't mind that his work only has a limited life-span - as he has managed to capture all his designs on camera . He said: 'I like the idea of creating these pieces and then they just wash away. 'Someone took a picture and shared it on the St Michaels Mount Facebook page and overnight it had 300 likes, so I thought this is something I could do.' Chris, who describes his work as temporary graffiti approaches each beach like a blank canvas, placing his rake into the sand and experimenting with lines and swirls until he spots patterns emerging. Describing his work as temporary graffiti, he refuses to plan his artwork in advance - instead he follows the contours of the rocks and cliff faces, letting the rake decide its own path. He said: 'I just follow the rocks and cliffs or just walk and see what the rake does. 'I just went to the beach and thought I wonder what this will look like and took it from there. Chris describes his work as temporary graffiti approaches each beach like a blank canvas . Chris had a special message for Mother's Day, drawing what every mum in the land will have wanted, some flowers . Chris drives to nearby Gwithian beach because of its size and over-looking cliff face, which is perfect for photos . 'I wanted to give something to the public when they are out and about - something totally different on the beach.' Chris has now been commissioned to create some of his unique artwork for local Cornish businesses, including a law firm from Truro and a Falmouth based festival organiser. More of his artwork is available online, on his 'One Man and His Rake' Facebook page. Spotting a

Summary: Chris Haworth from Cornwall was inspired by the work of sand artist Tony Platt . Takes his rake to nearby Gwithian beach because of its size and over-looking cliff face . Spends an hour on each of his designs, photographing from a height before tide washes them away .


LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant has revealed he believes the stress of his rape case led his wife to miscarry their child - and he can't still can't forgive himself. Kobe has said he blames himself for wife Vanessa's miscarriage, which happened in early 2005 - the year after he faced trial for rape in Colorado. The basketball player, who has been married to Vanessa since 2001, says he believes the anxiety caused by the allegations over the 18 months before led to his wife losing what would have been their second child. Scroll down for video . Anguish: LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant says he blames himself for wife Vanessa's miscarriage in Muse, a documentary about his life. Pictured: Vanessa and Kobe at the premiere of the documentary earlier this year . Kobe had been charged with assaulting 19-year-old Katelyn Faber in 2003, but it was dropped at trial when the alleged victim refused to give evidence at trial the next year. The now 36-year-old denied the charges - but admitted an adulterous sexual encounter with his accuser after he checked into the hotel where she was working to await knee surgery. But the allegation led to him losing lucrative contracts with Nutella and McDonalds at the time, as well as causing stress for his family. However, Vanessa stood by her husband throughout the case. In a halting and emotional monologue for his new documentary Muse, Bryant says he let his wife and family down during 'that time'. But in the two minute clip - marked '2004' - he never refers directly to the rape case which turned his world upside down. 'It is a man's job to look out for your family,' Bryant tells the camera. 'In that aspect, I failed miserably.' Halting: The star gives an emotional monologue to the camera, in which he says he let his family down . Star: The sportsman was awaiting knee surgery when he was alleged to have raped a hotel worker in 2003 . He added: 'We were expecting our second child during that time, and there was just so much stress, she actually miscarried. 'It is something I have a real hard time dealing with that, I feel like it was my fault. We should have been building our family, but because of my mistake, we lost a baby. 'We try to justify the fact its not, realise how common miscarriages are, these things happen, but the reality is it happened because of me. 'That's the reality of it, and that is something I've got to carry forever.' Kobe also seems surprised his wife did not leave him at the time, taking their young daughter with her, as well as 'half the money'. 'Things would have been really easy for her to leave,' he said in the documentary. Dropped: The charges were dropped at trial, but Kobe - who protested his innocence- did admit he had a 'consensual' encounter with his 19-year-old accuser, a worker at the Colorado hotel where he was staying . After the case was dropped in September

Summary: LA Lakers star reveals he blames himself for wife Vanessa's miscarriage . Believes the stress of the allegations led to her losing their child in 2005 . Kobe says he 'failed miserably' at protecting his family during the scandal . Charges were dropped after alleged victim refused to give evidence at trial . Kobe and Vanessa went on to have another daughter in May 2006 .


They are some of the richest habitats on the planet yet also the hardest for humans to inhabit. Now scientists have discovered that humans may have first begun living in the rainforest around 20,000 years ago - 12,000 years earlier than was thought. Researchers at Oxford University found the evidence trapped inside human teeth discovered in the rainforests of Sabaragamuwa in southern Sri Lanka. Scientists have discovered that humans may have first begun living in the rainforest around 20,000 years ago - 12,000 years earlier than was thought. Researchers at Oxford University found the evidence trapped inside human teeth discovered in the rainforests of Sabaragamuwa in southern Sri Lanka (pictured) They say isotopes in the teeth suggest the people they belonged to had a diet mainly composed of food foraged from the forest. The study also notes that there are hints that humans may even have occupied rainforests around 45,000 years ago. Neanderthals may have created and worn the world's first jewellery 130,000 years ago, according to scientists. Researchers examining eight talons taken from a white-tailed eagle found at Krapina in Croatia say they were used to create necklace or bracelet. The claws bear multiple cut marks, notches and signs that they had been polishing by the Neanderthals that once inhabited the site where they were found. Anthropologists at the University Kansas say the talons appear to have been made into symbolic jewellery 80,000 years before modern humans arrived in Europe. The findings add to mounting evidence that Neanderthals were not the slow-witted and primative creatures they are often portrayed as. The findings contradict the idea that tropical rainforests were largely human-free environments until around 8,000 years ago. Professor Julia Lee-Thorp, an archaeologist at Oxford University who helped lead the study, said: 'The isotopic methodology applied in our study has already been successfully used to study how primates, including African great apes, adapt to their forest environment. 'However, this is the first time scientists have investigated ancient human fossils in a tropical forest context to see how our earliest ancestors survived in such a habitat.' The researchers, whose work is published in the journal Science, studied the fossilised teeth of 26 humans of a range of dates - from 20,000 to 3,000 years ago - found around Sri Lanka. The areas where they were excavated from are all now dense rainforest but it was not clear what the landscape was like when the people were alive. By examining the carbon and oxygen isotopes in the teeth, the researchers were able to see that the humans had a diet that matched those of people living in slightly open 'intermediate rainforest' environments. The study also notes that there are hints that humans may even have occupied rainforests around 45,000 years ago. Rainforests, like in Sri Lankan above, may teem with life but beneath the trees life can be hard for humans. The findings contradict the idea that such rainforests were largely human-free until 8,000 years ago . The teeth were found in rainforests in southern Sri Lanka including in the Batadombealena cave (marked) Patrick

Summary: Scientists at Oxford University analysed isotopes in ancient human teeth . The teeth were excavated in the rainforests of Sabaragamuwa in Sri Lanka . Researchers found the teeth belonged to humans who ate a rainforest diet . This means humans lived in rainforests 12,000 years earlier than thought . Rainforests were largely thought to be human free until 8,000 years ago .


They say nice guys finish last. Now, scientists have confirmed there is truth in the old adage – at least when it comes to salaries. A study claims friendly staff receive lower wages than their less agreeable colleagues. Despite working just as hard, they are often reluctant to push for pay rises, too focused on team work and overly concerned about being liked. Researchers at the University of Sheffield made the discovery while looking at the impact of personality traits on workers' productivity and pay. A University of Sheffield study claims friendly staff receive lower wages than their less agreeable colleagues . Their study found: 'More agreeable workers tend to earn less in the actual labour market, but their productivity is similar when measured in the laboratory setting.' They defined agreeableness as being compliant, modest, trustworthy and sympathetic. The study found women were most likely to show agreeable personality traits, perhaps one reason for the gender pay gap. Being agreeable made workers more successful in team work, but had three negative effects on their performance. Friendly staff are often reluctant to push for pay rises, too focused on team work and overly concerned about being liked, according to the study . 'First, helping others may reduce individual productivity,' the study found. 'Secondly, agreeable people may be less effective when bargaining their wage. Finally, agreeable individuals may enter less stable, lower paid occupations.' The study was presented at the Royal Economic Society's 2015 annual conference in Manchester yesterday by Ana Nuevo-Chiquero, of The University of Sheffield, who conducted the research alongside Australian and Spanish academics. They analysed the personalities and productivity levels of students at the University of New South Wales in laboratory conditions, and analysed a host of academic reports on personality and wages. It found that, while conscientious and emotionally stable workers earn more money, being too open could harm your career. While openness with colleagues indicated an artistic, curious and imaginative worker, it could make them less likely to obey the rules, which could cause problems at a formal workplace. Neuroticism, which researchers linked to mood swings and unpredictability, also impacted performance as these workers often lacked self-confidence and were insecure.

Summary: Study found friendly staff receive lower wages than unpleasant colleagues . They are often reluctant to push for pay rise and too focused on team work . University of Sheffield researchers looked at impact of personality traits .


A chimpanzee who was allegedly left isolated in a 'hellhole' for years has finally found romance after being rescued and re-homed. Keepers at the 150-acre Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, say it was 'love at first sight' when 32-year-old Iris clapped eyes on 40-year-old Abdul last month. Apparently the pair have been inseparable and heartwarming footage shows the pair lovingly kissing each other. Scroll down for video . In safe hands: A chimpanzee who was allegedly left isolated in a 'hell hole' for years has finally found romance after being rescued and re-homed . Perfect match: Keepers at the 150-acre Save the Chimps sanctuary in Fort Pierce, Florida, say it was 'love at first sight' when 32-year-old Iris clapped eyes on 40-year-old Abdul last month . In March 2015 Iris was retrieved from a roadside zoo in Georgia following an undercover PETA investigation. She had reportedly been kept alone in a 'tiny, barren, and dark cell' for three years. With virtually nothing to do, she allegedly resorted to smearing her own feces on the walls of her enclosure and spent most of her time huddled under a dirty blanket. She was also pale, overweight and her legs were underdeveloped because of a lack of opportunity to exercise. The look of love: Apparently Iris and Abdul have been inseparable and heartwarming footage shows the pair lovingly kissing each other . After being transferred to the Save the Chimps facility, Iris was given immediate treatment. A few days later, when vets had given her the all-clear, she was introduced to her next-door neighbor, Abdul. Recalling the couple's first meeting, a spokesperson from Save the Chimps said: 'She kissed him and he groomed her.' Over the coming weeks Iris will be introduced to more chimpanzees as she gains confidence. Save the Chimps is currently home to more than 250 rescued chimpanzees. Some were in labs, some were in roadside zoos, and some had been neglected, abused or traumatized for years. Former home: In March 2015 Iris was retrieved from a roadside zoo in Georgia following an undercover PETA investigation - this shot allegedly shows her former cell . Distressing state: With virtually nothing to do, Iris reportedly resorted to smearing her own feces on the walls of her enclosure and spent most of her time huddled under a dirty blanket . The inhabitants munch their way through around 1,300 bananas each day. PETA is currently seeking legal action against Iris' previous owners for animal cruelty. However, they deny any wrongdoing. The park operators told NBC News that the chimp was 'well cared for' and 'doted on by humans' during her stay. Commenting on Iris' story, Molly Polidoroff who runs Save the Chimps, said: 'Of course, there will be many more adjustments and introductions as she becomes used to her new home. 'New faces, new friends, and best of all, life outdoors!'

Summary: In March 2015 Iris was retrieved from a roadside zoo in Georgia following an undercover PETA investigation . She had reportedly been kept alone in a 'tiny and dark cell' for three years . The ape was re-homed her at the Save the Chimps sanctuary in Florida . Keepers say it was love at first sight when she met 40-year-old Abdul .