Tiger Woods has had to face some huge challenges during his career, but not many will have been larger than 7ft 6in former NBA star Yao Ming. The 14-time major winner has played just three tournaments so far this year, which included a return to some form at the US Masters, but took a break to offer the retired Chinese basketball star a few golfing tips. The pair met up at Nike's headquarters in Shanghai where the former Houston Rockets centre towered over his tutor as he got to grips with his swing on an indoor range. Golf's former world No 1 is dwarfed by the 7ft 6in former Houston Rockets centre . Tiger Woods (left) gives Yao Ming a golfing lesson at the Nike headquarters in Shanghai, China . The towering Chinese athlete takes notes as Woods helps him get to grips with his swing . Meanwhile, Woods has confirmed he will return to the PGA Tour at the Players Championship on May 7. The 39-year-old announced on Twitter that he will tee it up at TPC Sawgrass for the tournament often labelled as the 'fifth major'. 'Looking forward to going back to THE PLAYERS this year, hoping for a repeat of 2013,' he said. Woods' confirmed return will dampen fears over a wrist injury he appeared to suffer during the final round at Augusta when he hit a tree root. 'A bone kind of popped out and the joint kind of went out of place, but I put it back in,' he said. Woods, pictured with Rory McIlroy, found some form on his return to the US Masters . Woods will be back at the TPC Sawgrass, allaying fears over a wrist injury picked up at Augusta . Speculation over Woods' return had been circulating ever since the Masters when, following rounds of 73, 69, 68 and 73, he refused to confirm when he would be back in action. 'Not going to be for a while,' he said. 'I have a little time off, and go back to the drawing board, work on it again, and refine what I'm doing. 'I really like what I'm doing, I got my distance back, and everything is good.' Jack Nicklaus said this week that Woods would feature at the Memorial at Muirfield Village beginning on June 4 but he will now be back earlier than that at a tournament that he won in 2001 and 2013.

Summary: Tiger Woods gave former NBA star Yao Ming a few tips on his swing . The 7ft 6in Chinese athlete retired from Houston Rockets in 2011 . 14-time major winner Woods will return to competition at TPC Sawgrass .


All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo when Real Madrid visit Rayo Vallecano in La Liga on Wednesday. The 30-year-old hit five in Real's thumping 9-1 win against Granada at the weekend to take his tally to 36 goals in the league so far. Ronaldo's quintuplet moved him above Lionel Messi in the race for the Pichichi trophy given to the top goalscorer in La Liga at the end of the season. Spanish paper Marca (left) previews Real Madrid's trip to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night - with the focus on superstar forward Cristiano Ronaldo after his five-goal haul against Granada at the weekend . And going into Wednesday's Madrid derby, Marca builds up to the match by focusing on Ronaldo. Leading with the headline: 'Captain Thunder against Rayo,' the paper states that Ronaldo 'arrives unleashed after his exhibition against Granada.' In addition Marca adds that Ronaldo will be up against Rayo striker Alberto Bueno - the highest scoring Spaniard in the league at present with 15 goals. Meanwhile in Catalonia, Mundo Deportivo looks ahead to Barcelona's clash against Almeria on Wednesday night - and more so the importance of Lionel Messi. If he plays at the Nou Camp, it would be the 50th consecutive week that the Argentina maestro has done so in the Spanish top flight - dating back to January 11, 2014. Barca coach Luis Enrique says he will make changes against Almeria - but Mundo adds that if Messi isn't spared then it is 'cruel' on the 27-year-old. Meanwhile in Italy, the reaction from Juventus' Coppa Italia semi-final triumph over their bitter rivals Fiorentina continues. Over in Italy, the papers focus on Juventus' 3-0 Coppa Italia semi-final second leg win over Fiorentina . Goals from Alessandro Matri, Roberto Pereyra and Leonardo Bonucci saw Juve overturn a 2-1 first leg deficit to win 4-2 on aggregate at the home of the Viola. Corriere dello Sport hails the visitors' performance with the headline 'Tre-mendous Juventus' adding that manager Massimiliano Allegri produced a tactical masterpiece to seal victory without a number of his regular starters - including star striker Carlos Tevez. Aside from Juventus' win, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport both report that Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani is being linked with a move to AC Milan. The 28-year-old is reportedly fed up of playing second fiddle to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the French capital, often shunted out wide to get the best out of the Swedish striker. And Tuttosport adds that the Uruguay international has been offered to Milan - with the deal currently being 'weighed up.'

Summary: Real Madrid thrashed Granada 9-1 in La Liga at the weekend . Cristiano Ronaldo scored five to take his league tally to 36 for the season . Real travel to Rayo Vallecano in a Madrid derby on Wednesday night . Juventus won 3-0 at Fiorentina to reach the Coppa Italia final on Tuesday .


Joe Hart bemoaned one of his 'worst days in a Manchester City shirt' following Sunday's derby thumping by Manchester United. The England number one appeared devastated after the final whistle at Old Trafford and acknowledged that City's bid to retain their Premier League title was over. 'That's one of my worst in a Man City shirt, definitely,' Hart said after a morale-sapping 4-2 defeat saw under-fire Manuel Pellegrini's men go four points adrift of neighbours United and 12 behind runaway leaders Chelsea. Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart, pictured with Frank Lampard, was disappointed with his side's display . Hart was unable to keep out goals by United's Ashley Young, Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata and Chris Smalling . Manchester City are four points behind rivals United . The 27-year-old has even given up on knocking Arsenal out of second place. 'It's essential to try and finish third,' he added. 'We've got to get our heads down and win these massive games.' City had looked dominant in the early stages, racing into a 1-0 lead that they could have extended before Ashley Young's equaliser triggered a derby demolition. 'Not many teams have put us to the sword like that,' Hart said. 'United know what they are doing, they took their chances. Hart, pictured saluting the travelling City fans, does not understand why his side are struggling for form . 'It's hard to take. We've won enough of them to know how to lose properly though and we weren't good enough after the first 15 minutes.' Hart added that City had let their fans down and revealed he was at a loss to explain a dramatic loss in form since the turn of the year that has seen them take 18 points from a possible 39. 'It would be easier to win games if I knew what was wrong with us but we've played well and been unfortunate in some games,' he said. 'I'm hurting from this defeat. There's a lot of emotion running through me. Let's see how it feels on Monday, we'll think about it and we'll go again.'

Summary: Joe Hart conceded four goals in Man City's 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford . The Man City stopper appears to have given up on trying to catch Arsenal . Hart said after Sunday's defeat that 'it's essential to try and finish third' READ: Gloves on April 12?! Man City players feel the derby day cold . READ: Ashley Young laughs at City as United silence 'noisy neighbours'


A devastated couple has launched a desperate search for their beloved pet cat after he disappeared following a 14-hour flight from Abu Dhabi to New York. Felix the cat has been missing for almost a week after he escaped from his crate at John F Kennedy International Airport. The two-year-old grey tabby belongs to Jennifer Stewart, 31, and her 34-year-old husband, Joseph Naaman, who said the airline-approved pet carrier was damaged so badly – apparently while being transferred from the plane – that Felix was able to get out and run away. Jennifer Stewart and husband, Joseph Naaman, pictured with their cat, Felix, who disappeared April 1 . Jennifer told MailOnline Travel that she isn't satisfied with the way Felix's crate was secured and transported on the Etihad Airways flight. She said his crate was tied down to a large metal pallet and cracked open, apparently when one of the straps got caught on something as it was being moved to a cargo bay after the April 1 flight. She said: 'To find out how he was transported, I was horrified, I was sick. They basically strapped him in like he was an old box. 'If I had known he was going to travel like that we would have looked for other alternatives. 'He is a part of our family. He's like a dog. He plays fetch and hide and seek, and he's the coolest little cat.' The couple was told that the plastic crate broke open after one of the ropes became tangled on something . Felix's plastic pet carrier was tied down to a metal pallet while he was transported on the plane . Jennifer said she isn't sure which company was responsible for transferring Felix from the plane, but a cargo manager called her and her husband into an office after they landed to deliver the bad news. 'We were in shock that this happened. At first I thought he was going to tell me that [Felix] died. 'He told me his cage was crushed.' While in Abu Dhabi she spent weeks researching the best way to transport Felix and she initially booked a ticket with a different airline, but there was a problem with the reservation and she was forced to switch to their flight and Felix's to Etihad Airways. Felix the cat disappeared after his crate was damaged after a flight from Abu Dhabi to New York . Owner Jennifer Stewart said she spent weeks researching the best way to transport Felix to the US . Jennifer, a yoga instructor, and Joseph, a strategy consultant, couple spent $1,200 (£800) to bring Felix to the US with them after living in the United Arab Emirates for three years. They adopted him seven months ago after they found him wandering on the street in their Abu Dhabi neighbourhood, and they never gave any thought to leaving him behind. The couple hasn't given up hope that Felix will be found, and has sought help from a non-profit organisation, Where Is Jack?, which provided a dog that is trained to track

Summary: Felix the cat disappeared after he escaped his plastic crate at JFK Airport . Owner Jennifer Stewart said the crate was badly damaged in transit . She is calling for better policies and procedures for the transport of pets . Etihad said it is working with ground handlers and 'specialists' to find Felix .


It's usually children who are seen splashing away in spray fountains. But one dog was caught lapping up all the fun at a public play area in Brooklyn, New York, over the weekend. Lihi Yona filmed the black pup enthusiastically jumping around in time to the squirts of water. Each time the water sprays, the canine flies through the air. His bemused owner can be seen standing at the sidelines holding on to the pup's leash. Other bystanders are heard laughing in the background as they watch the animal in action. After almost a minute the dog shows no sign of slowing down and he continues to bounce around. Flying high: Lihi Yona filmed a black pup enthusiastically jumping around in time to a water fountain . Summer fun: Each time the water sprays, the canine flies through the air .

Summary: Lihi Yona filmed the black lab at a public play area in Brooklyn, New York, over the weekend . After almost a minute the dog shows no sign of slowing down and he continues to bounce around .


It has been described as a durable and scratch resistant smartwatch and is a considerable investment, costing from $349 (£299). But the Apple Watch Sport model has been to shown to shatter easily after being dropped from a height of just under four feet (1.2 metres). Apple claims its watch, which has an Ion-X glass display, is 'protected by a lightweight aluminosilicate glass that's especially resistant to scratches and impact.' Scroll down for video . Smash: The Apple Watch Sport edition is shown to shatter easily (pictured) after being dropped from a height of just under four feet (1.2 metres). The model has an Ion-X glass display which is supposed to be 'resistant to scratches and impact' In a video, TechRax drops the 42mm timepiece from a height of four feet (1.2 metres) to simulate what may happen if a wearer drops their watch while tightening or unfastening the strap. When TechRex dropped the watch ‘not aiming at the display,’ in a test conducted in Sacramento, California, it survived unscathed despite a nasty ‘crack’ noise when the timepiece hit the pavement. However, when the watch was dropped so the display hit the floor first, the screen shattered with beads of glass seen on the ground after impact. In the video he exclaims: 'Are you serious Apple? That wasn’t even that bad. That was about three-and-a-half feet!' Deep impact: When online tester TechRex dropped the watch ‘not aiming at the display,’ in a test conducted in Sacramento, California, it survived unscathed despite a nasty ‘crack’ noise when the timepiece hit the pavement. However, when it landed on its face (pictured), it smashed instantly . The watch has 'high performance' rubber straps and the screen is held in an anodised aluminium case, that's 60 per cent stronger than standard aluminium, but is just as light. The Apple Watch Sport (pictured) has high performance' rubber straps and the screen is held in an anodised aluminium case . The tester added: ‘I found it amazing that the amount of shatter that occurred was so tremendous.' When he threw the watch down with force, the screen came off completely. Damage to the screen, such as chips, scratches or indeed shattering, is not covered by the watch's warranty and is expensive to fix, MacRumours reports. Damage eligible for warranty service includes debris under the screen, a loose back cover and condensation in the heart rate monitor sensor windows. MacRumours also discovered that in the US owners will have to pay repairs fees of $229, $329 and $2,800 for the Sport, Watch and Edition models respectively to fix a cracked or missing crown, missing buttons,or screen damage, for example. It is not known how much these repairs will cost in the UK and other regions and MailOnline has contacted Apple for comment. By comparison, the Apple Watch, which costs from $549 (£479) and Apple Watch Edition from $12,000 (£8,000) have different screens made of Sapphire glass. In a recent test, repair specialists in Cardiff showed that the 38mm Sapphire screen remained scratch-free after being subjected to being rubbed with

Summary: Apple Watch Sport edition costs $349 (£299) and has an Ion-X glass screen . 'Durable' screen shattered when the watch's face hit the ground first . Screen damage is not covered for free repairs in the Apple Watch warranty . But another test has shown the device lives up to Apple's waterproof claims after it survived 15 minutes in a swimming pool .


Four Queens Park Rangers supporters have been jailed for football-related disorder following an incident with Burnley fans last year. The unsavoury scenes occurred on February 1, 2014 following a 3-3 draw during their Championship encounter at Loftus Road. The foursome identified as Harry Childs, Jack Hutchins, Dean Foreman and Bradley Pack were sentenced for affray on Friday, after being charged in July last year, due to their involvement in an act of violent disorder outside a west London pub. QPR fans Harry Childs (left) and Jack Hutchins have been jailed for football-related disorder last year . Dean Foreman (left) and Bradley Pack were also sentenced for affray on Friday for their involvement . The incident occurred after last season's 3-3 draw between QPR and Burnley at Loftus Road . Childs, 18 from Billericay, Essex has been sentenced to eight months imprisonment while Hutchins, 21 of Kings Langley, Hertfordshire was given a one-year sentence alongside 27-year-old Foreman who hails from Northolt, London. Pack, 22 of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment. In addition all four men also received six-year Football Banning Orders under section 23 of the Football Spectators Act 1989. Childs, Hutchins and Foreman were found guilty of the offences on March 6 with Pack previously entering a guilty plea. During the two-week trial, the court heard how the quartet gathered outside the the Plough and Harrow pub shortly before 5pm, where they confronted a number of Burnley supporters, who were having a post-match drink, through the windows outside the establishment. The incident dates back to February 2014 when the quartet confronted Burnley supporters after their match . With the shouting reciprocated from within, the events soon escalated to violence and the pub's window being kicked and shattered by Childs. The ensuing scenes saw numerous people assaulted and punched outside the pub, with the Plough and Harrow manager locking the glass front doors and calling 999 in fear of the violence spreading into the premises. Childs - who was wearing a distinctive red patent jacket - and his three associates moved up along Kings Street where they came across another set of Burnley and QPR supporters where further spontaneous violence took place. Police soon arrived at the scene, however Hutchins and Foreman evaded their attention. Childs and Pack were stopped nearby where they identified themselves to the police, but they were not arrested as there was no evidence to support their involvement in the disorder at the time. The foursome attacked the Plough and Harrow pub as the shouting soon turned into violence in west London . An investigation was immediately launched by detectives from Hammersmith and Fulham with support from specialist officers from the Central Football Policing unit. Hours of CCTV were carefully in a bid to identify those responsible for the disorder with Childs, Hutchins, Foreman and Pack and all arrested on suspicion of violent disorder on June 9, 2014. Chief Inspector Simon Causer said: 'This kind of behaviour is entirely unacceptable to the police, the thousands of law-abiding and genuine football fans, the clubs and the

Summary: Queens Park Rangers drew 3-3 with Burnley in the Championship last term . QPR fans Harry Childs, Jack Hutchins, Dean Foreman and Bradley Pack have all been jailed for violent scenes with Burnley supporters afterwards . The quartet were involved in violence outside the Plough and Harrow pub . They then moved onto Kings Street in west London for further barbarity .


This is the moment a four-year-old girl broke down in tears because the 'little ducks' in a nursery rhyme did not come back to their mother. Rilie Carey, from Salem, Oregon, learnt the popular song at preschool and was halfway through eating her dinner when she decided to perform it for her mom, Jessica. She starts by confidently singing: 'Four little ducks went out to play, over the hills and far away. 'Mumma duck says quack, quack, quack, quack, but only three little ducks came back.' But as the rhyme continues - and the number of ducks returning to their mother decreases - her eyes begin to fill with tears. As she gets to the penultimate verse, where 'no little ducks come back', she starts to sob with her arm across her face. At the end of the clip Rilie, who lives with her mom, dad and two-year-old brother, leans in for a hug from her mom - despite being told the ducks do actually return. Mrs Carey posted the video on Facebook alongside the caption: 'My four-year-old daughter learned a new song at school yesterday and can't quite get through it without crying. 'She gets so sad that the mama duck doesn't have her babies!! #allthefeels' The 25-year-old, who met Rilie's father Aaron in 2007, told MailOnline: 'I filmed the video because after I had picked Rilie up from school, she would't stop singing it all day and would start to get emotional near the end every single time. 'I recorded it at dinner time so I could show her dad once he got off from work. 'She is so caring and loving and, as a mother, it made my heart explode watching her get so emotional about the mama duck losing her babies. She's so sweet. 'I just adored it. It makes me happy to know how loving her little heart is.' Rilie (left; right) learnt the popular song about ducks at preschool and was halfway through eating her dinner when she decided to perform it for her mother Jessica Carey . Jessica Carey (pictured with her husband Aaron, Rilie and two-year-old son) posted the video on Facebook with the caption: 'My four-year-old daughter learned a new song at school yesterday and can't quite get through it without crying' Mr Carey, a 32-year-old tattoo artist, also shared the video on Facebook and added: 'If you haven't already seen this video, check it out. 'It's my sweet little daughter singing a new song she learned at school. She gets very emotional towards the end lol.' The video has already received more than 2.9million views on Facebook. Hundreds of viewers have commented, with many dubbing the video the 'cutest thing ever'. Mrs Carey is hoping Rilie will now be invited on to The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Summary: Rilie, four, heard the song at preschool and was performing it at dinner . Her eyes filled with tears before she sobbed with her arm over her face . Mom Jessica Carey posted the video on Facebook and YouTube .


Searches are underway for Kyle Knox, 23, from London, who was last seen at 10am on Monday at the start of the route for the 4409-ft high Ben Nevis . Searches are ongoing today for a missing 23-year-old walker who disappeared as he tried to climb Britain's highest mountain in -7C blizzards and 70mph winds. Kyle Knox, from London, was last seen at about 10am on Monday at the start of the route for the 4409-ft high Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands. He failed to return to his accommodation in the Fort William area yesterday, prompting staff to alert police to his disappearance. Police Scotland said the force had no information to suggest he was an experienced walker and believe he attempted to climb the mountain alone. Searches of Ben Nevis and the Glen Nevis area of Lochaber were carried out last night, with Lochaber Mountain Rescue and a RAF search and rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth being scrambled to the scene. However, the hunt had to be called off in darkness last night. Police Scotland confirmed this morning that the search had now resumed with rescuers describing the weather conditions as 'awful'. The Met Office said 72mph winds were recorded in the area on Monday and 61mph gusts on Tuesday. Wind speeds have dropped to 51mph today but are still significant. Forecasters added that temperatures have been below freezing in the area every day this week, with the coldest temperature recorded at about -7C. There is also likely to be heavy snowfall on the peak, with 32mm of snow and rain falling over the last 32 hours. The RAF Sea King continues to search for Mr Knox today, despite yesterday being its last day before handing over to a new civilian helicopter operator. The crew were due to hand over to a Coastguard-co-ordinated Bristow helicopter crew based at Inverness Airport today but it was decided to let the military team continue with this search - which will be the RAF's last rescue callout in Scotland. Search and rescue dogs as well as Glencoe and Lochaber mountain rescue teams are also scouring the mountain. Mr Knox is described as 5ft 10, slim build with dark hair. He was last seen wearing dark waterproof trousers, walking boots and a jacket with red flashes on it. People are being urged not to go to Scotland's mountains unless they have the proper equipment and experience due to the severe weather conditions which have blighted the UK in recent days. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) said wind, snow and freezing temperatures have made walking and climbing conditions extremely difficult. The warning comes ahead of the Easter weekend, traditionally one of the busiest times in Scotland's hills, and MCofS said mountain rescuers have 'serious safety concerns' about the weekend. Heather Morning, the council's safety adviser, said only people with adequate gear and knowledge of winter conditions should venture out. Mr Knox failed to return to his accommodation in the Fort William area yesterday, prompting staff to alert police to his disappearance. Officers believe he set off

Summary: Kyle Knox, 23, disappeared as he tried to climb the 4409-ft high Ben Nevis . He was last seen at start of route on Monday and did not return to his hotel . Londoner is believed to be alone and may not be an experienced climber . Large-scale searches underway in -7C blizzards and winds of up to 70mph .


Greater Manchester Police tweeted a warning about wasting time after a holidaymaker walked into a station to complain about his trip. The 44-year-old from Oldham decided had just returned from Algeria and wanted to complain about the temperatures he experienced during his holiday. Police tweeted the anecdote after the man tried to lodge an official complaint at the Great Manchester Police Chadderton division. Great Manchester Police Chadderton division revealed a man lodged a complaint that the weather on his holiday was 'too hot' The incident was shared by the police press office on its Facebook page, along with a warning that members of the public should not waste police time. There was a warning that such an offence can carry a maximum punishment of six months' imprisonment and/or a fine. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police told MailOnline Travel: 'The male was advised that this was not a police problem.' Following the post being shared on Facebook, there were mixed reactions to the man's actions. Janine Gamblen wrote: 'Some people really are just stupid,' while Sarah Edwards added: 'Only in Oldham.' The 44-year-old man had recently returned to the UK from a holiday in Algeria (file photo) 'The mind boggles,' commented Tracy Ayre while Suzi Force believes the man should have been punished, saying: 'Give him a holiday in a cell, maybe he will think twice next time!' However, Joanne Parker made light of the incident writing: 'Haha funny...would love to have seen the police face.' The current temperatures in Algeria is 28C, and this has remained fairly constant over the last week or two. Temperatures are set to peak at 25C over the next three days in England, however the north will see slightly lower temperatures than the south. It's not known if the Oldham man travelled to the Sahara Desert in Algeria, where he would undoubtedly have been 'hot'

Summary: Greater Manchester Police Chadderton warn of wasting valuable time . The 44-year-old man had recently arrived back to the UK from Algeria . Wasting police time could result in six-month imprisonment and/or a fine .


Neil Robertson revealed a new practice repertoire which he hopes will lift him among the game's all-time greats after storming into the second round of the Betfred World Championship. The 2010 champion rattled in an opening break of 133 as he reeled off the three frames required to turn a 7-2 lead into a 10-2 victory over Welshman Jamie Jones in Sheffield. Robertson has committed more hours to the game than ever before and he believes it will help him finally fulfil his potential and become a multiple winner of the sport's major crowns. Australia's Neil Robertson plays a shot during his match against Wales's Jamie Jones at The Crucible . 'I have put in more hours for this tournament than any other in my whole career,' the 33-year-old Australian said. 'Before I played my first-round match I potted 300 balls without missing - that's the stuff (Stephen) Hendry used to do. Hendry used to not miss for six or seven frames, and that's what you have to do if you want to dominate matches. 'If you were to stop my career and look back, I would definitely have a feeling of 'what if I had practised more?'. I think I could do more so I've left no stone unturned coming into this tournament. 'It would be harsh to say I have under-achieved, but I think I could have won a lot more if I'd sacrificed a little bit more.' Barry Hawkins found himself the reluctant star of another Crucible epic after clinging on to beat qualifier Matthew Selt in a final-frame decider. The 2013 finalist looked set to ease through to the last 16 after resuming on Monday with a 7-2 overnight lead which he extended to 9-4 to move within one frame of victory. Robertson celebrates winning in his World Snooker Championship first round match against Wales's Jones . But Selt responded by reeling off five frames in a row - including back-to-back centuries - before a cool clearance from Hawkins saw him into the second round with a 10-9 win. Hawkins - who fought off a similar fightback from Dominic Dale in last year's quarter-finals, admitted: 'I can't keep putting myself through that. 'There's nothing worse than when someone is coming back at you like that and you can see your lead disappearing. Robertson contemplates a shot during his World Snooker Championship first round match at The Crucible . 'You're telling yourself it's only one frame but you can see him growing in confidence and potting long balls so it is a horrible place to be.' Ding Junhui's dismal record at the Crucible looked set to continue as he lost the first four frames of his first-round match against veteran Mark Davis. The world number three looked distinctly out of sorts in the early stages, but clawed his way back to reduce the deficit to 3-4 overnight.

Summary: Neil Robertson has committed more hours to practice than ever before . Australian stormed into second round of Betfred World Championship . Robertson hopes new regime will lift him among the game's all-time greats . He hopes to become a multiple winner of the sport's major crowns .


The football family has rallied round a Blackpool pensioner sued by the Oyston family for alleged defamatory comments made on his Facebook page. Frank Knight settled before court proceedings with the owners of the Championship’s basement club, having to pay a staggering £20,000 in damages. Supporters up and down the country have reacted to that by raising close to £15,000 in under three days – an act of defiance against the running of Blackpool. Blackpool fans vent their disgust at the Oyston family, who own the club, last week . Supporters have been protesting against the Oystons before matches and then not attending the games . Knight is a lifelong fan of the Seasiders and was ordered to apologise for posting a disparaging status online this time last year. A fellow Blackpool fan began a fundraising page on the website ‘go fund me’, which has attracted interest across Britain. Countdown’s Rachel Riley and comic Russell Brand have tweeted links to the page. Brand said: ‘Blackpool fans! What's going on at your club? How can I help? #ThingsCanChange’ Riley tweeted: ‘One for the football family - petty and awful treatment of a Tangerine OAP fan by the owner, ridiculous stuff.’ It looks likely that organiser Joe Atherton will reach his £20,000 target in the coming days. Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston speaks on his mobile phone during Tuesday's draw with Reading . Owner Owen Oyston watches the match huddled under a blanket in the stands . Blackpool fan Frank Knight posted an apology on a supporters' messageboard on Thursday . And Atherton can’t believe the way in which his fundraising has taken off. ‘When typing in the £20,000 "target" I sat back and thought "no chance, if we can get Frank £5k or so I'll be happy." To break this in just over two days is amazing,’ he told Sportsmail. ‘It's not just Blackpool fans either. Clubs with other struggles like Pompey, Stockport, Cardiff and Coventry fans all donated. ‘Even fans from arch rival clubs like Preston, Bolton and Burnley have donated. It's been pretty overwhelming. We’ve even had overseas donations from Australia, Sweden, Malaysia and America.’ Another supporter is awaiting a court date with the Oystons after making defamatory remarks online. Karl Oyston is to soon find out his fate for branding a fan a ‘retard’ before Christmas, telling him to ‘enjoy your special needs day out’ and claiming he was banned from the ground because he was a ‘p****’. Blackpool’s recent history has been entrenched in bitter disputes off the pitch, with paying customers regularly protesting at the ownership of their club. That was compounded last week when Lee Clark and his team’s relegation to League One was confirmed. Blackpool's main reception at Bloomfield Road was pelted with eggs before their game with Reading . Broken eggs on the floor outside Bloomfield Road . Dozens pelted the Bloomfield Road reception with eggs and flares before their draw against Reading last Tuesday. A group also travelled to the Oyston home near Waddington, Lancashire on Sunday to vent their fury. Members of the family

Summary: Lifelong Blackpool fan Frank Knight forced to pay £20,000 in damages . The pensioner made allegations about the Oyston Family . Club is owned by Owen Oyston, while son Karl is Blackpool chairman . Knight ordered to make a public apology following Facebook comments . The football family has rallied round the Blackpool pensioner .


Manchester United winger Ashley Young is adamant that the club will be challenging for the Premier League title once more next season. The Red Devils have endured two mixed campaigns following the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in May 2013. After finishing seventh last season, their lowest position since in the Premier League era, United currently sit third in the table this term - 11 points behind leaders Chelsea. Manchester United winger Ashley Young believes the club will be challenging for the title next season . Despite their large deficit to the Blues, current United boss Louis van Gaal has restored some of the club's old vigour under Ferguson that was lost during David Moyes' ill-fated reign. Prior to their 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on April 18, the Old Trafford outfit had reeled off six successive league victories - including impressive triumphs over top four rivals Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City. And Young believes that after a slow start under Van Gaal the fruits of his labour are finally paying off at United - which will see the club compete for their first league title in three seasons, next year. 'You don't manage the team he has managed without having that big, bold personality. He wants to be successful. He wants every detail spot on,' Young said about the 63-year-old in an exclusive interview with the Guardian. The 29-year-old (right) has played a prominent role for United this season under Louis van Gaal . 'As players, you want to be challenged and that's exactly what he does; he challenges us every single day. It was always going to take time, but it is all starting to come together. 'If you look at the last run of games, even last week against Chelsea when on another day we would have scored two or three goals, we will definitely be back challenging for the title next season.' Young's United career has been revitalised under Van Gaal this season - with the 29-year-old playing a prominent role in the Dutchman's starting line-up. Young has praised Van Gaal's (right) managerial style and desire to bring back success to the club . The England international has combined brilliantly of late with Daley Blind and Maraoune Fellaini, down the left-hand side of the United team - something the former Aston Villa star admits he has relished. 'Thats's been brilliant, the three of us playing in those triangles and the same the other side with Antonio [Valencia], Ander [Herrera] and Juan [Mata],' Young added. 'There are some cool heads there, and a lot of players who are now playing with more composure, not scared to give each other the ball, or play it in tight spaces.' Young (front) also believes United are playing with more composure than they were at the start of the season .

Summary: Manchester United are currently third in the Premier League standings . United are 11 points behind league leaders Chelsea with four games left . United finished seventh last season - their lowest in the Premier League era .


Lord Tebbit has hit out at David Cameron for not being a ‘real man’ with ‘real depth of experience’. The former Tory party chairman said that unlike major figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee or Aneurin Bevan, Mr Cameron had never had a ‘proper job’. Instead, he said the Prime Minister had done nothing except be a special adviser and working in PR for Carlton Television. Lord Tebbit, pictured, launched an astonishing attack on David Cameron claiming the PM has never had a proper job before entering politics unlike Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee or even Aneurin Bevan . Lord Tebbit, a former airline pilot, also criticised Mr Cameron’s tactics in playing up the threat of a Labour-SNP government, and even suggested Tory voters north of the border vote tactically for Labour. He told the BBC’s Newsnight: ‘I just cannot read Mr Cameron’s mind. It’s a foreign country to me. ‘Men like Churchill, Atlee, Bevan, were real men with real depths of experience. ‘They had not gone from school to university to being a special adviser to working in an advertising agency.’ He added: ‘He doesn’t have that hinterland of experience any more than Mr Miliband.’ Lord Tebbit also suggested that Mr Cameron’s campaign tactics were pushing people into the arms of the SNP and Ukip. Lord Tebbit accused Mr Cameron, pictured, of bungling the Scottish referendum and annoying English voters . ‘Having bungled the Scottish referendum, it seems pointless to just irritate Scots by shouting at them from Westminster,’ the former Cabinet minister under Margaret Thatcher said. ‘The English are irritated into voting for Ukip, by being shouted at from Westminster – and the Scots are irritated similarly.’ Lord Tebbit also told The Guardian it was ‘logical’ for Scots to vote tactically for Labour in areas where Conservative candidates stand no chance. ‘From the Tories’ point of view we are not going to come home with a vast number of seats from Scotland,’ he said. ‘We know that. ‘So the choice is would we rather have a Scot Nat or Labour? I think, on balance, probably a Labour MP would be a more reasonable thing to have.’ Meanwhile Madonna was criticised by her gay fanbase yesterday for paying ‘unapologetic’ tribute to Margaret Thatcher – who brought in legislation to ban the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality. The 56-year-old singer posted an image of the Iron Lady on photo-sharing website Instagram along with the caption ‘Thank you Margaret Thatcher’ followed by ‘unapologetic’ and a reference to her latest album, Rebel Heart. But the post was hurriedly removed after her gay fans reminded her that Mrs Thatcher’s ‘anti-gay’ legislation was only overturned in 2003.

Summary: Lord Tebbit said figures such as Churchill had careers before politics . He claimed Mr Cameron was a PR advisor as well as a special advisor . Lord Tebbit was an airline pilot before he embarked on his political career . He said: 'I just cannot read Mr Cameron’s mind. It’s a foreign country to me'


Fernando Torres scored his first ever league own goal as Atletico Madrid limped to a 2-2 La Liga draw against Malaga on Saturday. The Spanish striker inadvertently headed a corner at the near post over his own line to pull Malaga back into the game before half-time. Torres has found goals difficult to come by since his January return to the Vicente Calderon and has scored just four times for Diego Simeone's side. Fernando Torres (centre) scored his first ever league own goal during Atletico Madrid's 2-2 draw with Malaga . The Malaga players celebrate Torres' own goal which pulled the visitors level just before half-time . Atletico were gifted the opening goal as Malaga keeper Carlos Kameni flapped at a long throw by Jesus Gamez and it was left for Antoinne Griezmann to simply knock the ball over the line from close range. Malaga caused little threat in a cagey first half but were given a helping hand by Torres who headed past Jan Oblak. The game opened up in the second half and Malaga midfielder Samu delicately chipped the ball over Oblak with 20 minutes left. Griezmann came to the rescue with his second of the game after 77 minutes to earn the champions a 2-2 draw which sees Simeone's side remain in third place. Torres has managed just four goals for Atletico since his return to the Vicente Calderon in January . Antoine Griezmann scored twice to help Diego Simeone's side scrape to a 2-2 draw on Saturday .

Summary: Atletico Madrid can only manage 2-2 La Liga draw against Malaga . Fernando Torres puts past his own goalkeeper before half-time . Antoine Griezmann scores twice to spare Atleti's blushes .


He has been a colossus of the game. He has made 700 professional club appearances and won 81 caps for England, six Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League. In his pomp, he was the stuff of strikers' nightmares, driving some of the world's greatest goalscorers to distraction with lightning-sharp reactions and an instinctive reading of the game. That's why it's such a shame that what is likely to be Rio Ferdinand's farewell year in the English game has fizzled out. Rio Ferdinand pictured in training at Queens Park Rangers last week. The 36-year-old defender started regularly in the first part of the season but has been unable to hold down his spot in the side . Ferdinand started the first seven matches of QPR's Premier League campaign before being dropped . Ferdinand has enjoyed a fantastic career, winning six Premier League titles, but a fairytale finish is unlikely . Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs lift the European Cup for Manchester United in Moscow back in 2008 . Ferdinand also won 81 caps for England during his glittering career . He would love to be out there, hunting down and hassling opponents, robbing attackers of the ball, winning the aerial duels, playing his part in Queens Park Rangers' survival mission. Keeping them up would be a fitting curtain call. Instead, Ferdinand's season has been one spent on the margins - either suspended, benched or out of the squad altogether. Once again, the 36-year-old was forced to watch on from the sidelines as Rangers claimed a potentially crucial point away to Aston Villa on Tuesday night. Ferdinand had picked up a slight knock and was ruled out. He has played just five times since the start of October - not much of a swansong. On Sunday, he posted a Twitter picture of a pile of chicken bones after lunch at his mum's. He had not been involved in the 4-1 win at West Brom 24 hours earlier and it weirdly seemed to sum up his peripheral role at the moment. By contrast, Ferdinand had started QPR's first seven games of the campaign, lasting the full 90 minutes in all of them. Harry Redknapp had grand plans and the best of intentions last summer. Having called time on his Manchester United career after 12 trophy-laden seasons, Ferdinand moved to Loftus Road in what Redknapp described as a 'remarkable coup for the club.' Harry Redknapp described Ferdinand's signing last summer as a 'remarkable coup' for the club . But after initial promise, Ferdinand has largely spent the season on the bench . Premier League (6): 2002-03, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2010-11, 2012-13 . FA Cup (1): 2003-04 . Football League Cup (2): 2005-06, 2008-09 . FA Community Shield (5): 2003, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013 . Champions League (1): 2007-08 . FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008 . Even in his mid-thirties, Redknapp believed Ferdinand would bring 'quality, class, experience and know-how' as QPR returned to the top flight. He envisaged Ferdinand in a sweeper role, the central pivot of a three-man defence in an

Summary: Rio Ferdinand missed 3-3 thriller with Aston Villa through injury . He has featured in just five QPR matches since the start of October . Harry Redknapp initially wanted him to be at centre of a back three . But the plan backfired as Rangers made a poor start in Premier League . Ferdinand has found it difficult to regain his place in farewell year .


A nine-year-old boy has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a horrific car crash that also killed his eight-year-old sister. Piper and William Kulk were involved in a fatal two-car collision on New South Wales' Central Coast at about 5.15pm on Saturday. Police said Piper died in hospital on Sunday morning, while her brother died later that evening. They were travelling with their mother, Chantelle Boddy, 31, grandmother Helen Boddy, 54, and elder brother Daniel, 12, when it is believed their Holden Astra aqua-planed, spun out of control and ended up on the other side of the road. All three siblings were sitting in the back of the car when the wet weather accident occurred. A relative told the Daily Telegraph: ‘We’re just devastated.’ The eight-year-old girl who died in a horrific accident near Doyalson in NSW Central Coast has been identified as Piper Kulk (pictured) She was travelling with her two brothers William (left) and Daniel (centre), her mother and grandmother when the accident happened . The incident also left passengers in the ute that collided with the Astra on Wyee Road near Doyalson with severe injuries. Warwick Milham arrived at the scene after hearing his wife, Glenda, and daughter, Michelle, were involved in the crash. Glenda suffered a fractured neck while Michelle had broken bones. 'It was a horrendous scene. I wouldn't wish it upon anybody,' Mr Milham told 9News. With the crash claiming William’s life, the national Easter long weekend death toll now stands at 16. Warwick Milham (pictured) got the call his wife and daughter had both been injured in the crash when they hit a Holden Astra . Glenda Milham (left) suffered a fractured neck, while daughter, Michelle (right), had broken bones . In pictures, eight-year-old Piper appears to be a happy child, smiling in her blue and white school uniform. The seven people involved in the crash were all trapped in the wreckage before being released from the two vehicles by emergency services. The two boys, Daniel and William, were airlifted to The Children's Hospital at Westmead and William later succumbed to his injuries. Daniel is now in a stable condition. The 54-year-old woman was the driver of the car, with their mother Chantelle was in the front-seat passenger. Heavy rain caused a car containing two adults and three children to spin out of control, colliding with a ute (pictured) The seven people involved in the crash, which happened about 5.15pm on Saturday, were all trapped in the wreckage before being released from the two vehicles by emergency services . A 32-year-old woman was driving the ute, with a 61-year-old woman in the front-passenger seat. All women sustained fractures in the crash and were taken to John Hunter Hospital. They are reported to be in a stable condition. Wyee Road was closed for seven hours while Crash Investigation Unit police examined the scene. 'When you get behind the wheel you accept the risks that go with it and that includes the real possibility you will change your family's life or that of another family forever.'

Summary: Nine-year-old William Kulk died in hospital on Sunday night . His eight-year-old sister Piper died on Sunday morning . They were both involved in a horrific car crash on the NSW Central Coast . Were travelling with elder brother, mother and grandmother . Elder brother Daniel, 12, is in a stable condition in Westmead hospital .


The Tories have accepted hundreds of thousands of pounds from a businessman whose company duped thousands of families in a mis-selling scandal. Multi-millionaire Richard Harpin has given the Tories £375,000 since 2008 – including £50,000 in the first week of the election campaign, official records show. The revelation will raise fresh questions for David Cameron over his links to millionaire donors. Multi-millionaire Richard Harpin has given the Tories £375,000 since 2008 – including £50,000 in the first week of the election campaign . Mr Harpin is the chief executive of HomeServe – the maintenance firm which styles itself as the UK's 'fifth emergency service'. But the firm was handed a record £30million fine last year for selling families expensive home insurance cover using misleading information and hard sell tactics. The fine came on top of some £40million it is paying in refunds to thousands of wronged customers who took out the policies. Industry regulator the Financial Conduct Authority found customers were misled or bullied into taking out policies they did not need or did not cover all the problems claimed. The company – which claims it offers peace of mind to consumers who are worried about losing their boiler or water supply in the dead of winter – has three million customers in the UK, holding 7.5million policies. Tory donor Mr Harpin founded the company in 1993. The firm today employs over 2,500 people in the UK and nearly 4,000 globally and is the biggest employer in Walsall. HomeServe said the investigation was closed over a year ago, in February 2014, and related to mis-selling in the period prior to October 2011. A spokesperson said: 'Richard Harpin has been a supporter of the Conservative party for a number of years and his political donations are made in a personal capacity.' But Labour said the donation showed the Tories were out to support their wealthy friends. Jon Ashworth, Labour's Shadow Cabinet Office Minister, said: 'We all know that the Tories put the interests of their big money donors before those of hardworking families.' The Tories under David Cameron have accepted hundreds of thousands of pounds from a businessman whose company duped thousands of families in a mis-selling scandal . A Tory spokesman said: 'All donations to the Conservative Party are properly and transparently declared to the Electoral Commission, published by them, and comply fully with Electoral Commission rules. 'Any suggestion of impropriety by the party is malicious and defamatory and will be treated as such.' The revelation comes just two days after the Tories were forced to return a donation of £50,000 from a wealthy hotelier who the American authorities once wanted to extradite to face tax fraud charges. Beatrice Tollman, founder of a luxury hotel chain, made her most recent donation of £20,000 to the Tories earlier this month to boost the party's General Election campaign coffers. But it emerged that she has previously been charged with conspiracy to evade millions of dollars in tax before the charges were dismissed by a judge. However on the same day in 2008 her husband

Summary: EXCLUSIVE: Richard Harpin has given the Tories £375,000 since 2008 . Mr Harpin is the chief executive of maintenance firm HomeServe . Company was fined a record £30million last year for mis-selling insurance . Customers were misled or bullied into buying policies they did not need .


After two months since the official announcement, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are into the final few days of their preparation at camp ahead of their monumental bout on Saturday. On Monday night, Pacquiao arrived in Las Vegas ahead of his MGM Grand summit with Mayweather. The 36-year-old was seen arriving on the world-famous Strip in the Nevada desert at the Mandalay Bay hotel, which will be his base for the week. Pacquiao had been training in Los Angeles at trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym - an unassuming building that is surrounded by a launderette and a petrol station. The Filipino star uprooted on Monday night as he and his team took a 270-mile drive on board his own bus. Roach's star fighter will be hoping a change of scenery won't affect his preparations against Mayweather - who has the luxury of training at his self-titled Boxing Club in Las Vegas, which is situated next to a Chinese Baptist Church. Ahead of their gigantic fight, Sportsmail takes a tale of the tape look at the duo's two main bases and what is on offer at either facility. Manny Pacquiao gestures to fans gathered after arriving at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas on Monday . Pacquiao and his team made the 270-mile journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on Monday night ahead of this weekend's fight against Floyd Mayweather at the MGM Grand . A map depicting the vast distance between the Wild Card Gym (left) and the Mayweather Boxing Club (top right) and the MGM Grand - the location for the mouthwatering May 2 bout . LOCATION . Despite the wealth of talent that trains at the Wild Card Gym and the Mayweather Boxing Club, both are in rather low-key surroundings. The former is situated along Vine Street - an unassuming road in Los Angeles which is set back from its nearby properties. Next to it on the right is a Stop & Shop Market while a Mobil petrol station is situatied to its left. In among the small complex too is a nail parlour, a Thai food restaurant and a launderette. The latter is on Schiff Drive - another unassuming road. Next to the building on one side is a Chinese Baptist Church, with KitcheNova - a kitchen supllies shop a futher store down. It's fair to say that both gyms could be lost among a backdrop of similar-looking buildings. The Wild Card Gym is located on the unassuming road of Vine Street in Los Angeles . On closer viewing the facility is also surrounded by a a nail parlour, a Thai food restaurant and a launderette . An inside look of the Wild Card Gym shows it has one boxing ring and several boxing pads . A front view look of the WBA and WBC welterweight world champion Mayweather base . The Mayweather Boxing Club is also an inconspicuous building from the outside on Schiff Drive, Las Vegas . Inside though, the The Money Team's facilities are anything but with the state-of-art equipment adorning it .

Summary: Floyd Mayweather will be fighting Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas on May 2 . Mayweather has been training at his Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas . Pacquiao has been preparing at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles .


Kurt Zouma was deployed in a defensive midfield role against Manchester United specifically to stop Marouane Fellaini from continuing his good form at Stamford Bridge, according to Jose Mourinho. The big Belgian has shone under Louis van Gaal in recent weeks but he endured an evening to forget as the 20-year-old man-marked him superbly during the Blues' 1-0 victory. Mourinho gave an insight into his instructions to Zouma after the game, explaining that he'd asked the young Frenchman to turn the match into a '10 against 10' clash. Chelsea's Kurt Zouma tussles with Marouane Fellaini during his side's 1-0 win against Manchester United . Zouma was deployed in a defensive midfield role so that he could deal with the threat of United star Fellaini . Speaking to chelseafc.com after the final whistle, Mourinho said: 'I told Zouma I want the game to be 10 against 10, I didn't want the game to be 11 against 11. 'During the week we were working for that and the game was 10 against 10.' Zouma, who also played in midfield away at West Ham and in the Capital One Cup final against Tottenham, was pleased with the job he did against the 'on fire' ex-Everton man. He said: 'I had to stay with [Marouane] Fellaini because we knew he is on fire at the moment. 'He has scored a lot of goals so I had to keep an eye on him, and I think I did it well. I had to be physical with him and stay close to him. 'The game was very difficult. The most important thing was that we had one chance and we scored. We defended very well. Manchester United didn't have many chances to score. We stayed compact.' Zouma wrestles Fellaini to the ground as Chelsea continued their bid for a fourth Premier League title . Fellaini has been in excellent form but he was unable to impact the game with Zouma watching his every move . Mourinho was similarly impressed with the performance of the former Saint-Etienne starlet, adding: 'See the jobs he is doing for us, as a central defender playing against [Sergio] Aguero, as a central defender playing against [Raheem] Sterling. 'He played as the holding midfield player against Tottenham in a system with only one holding midfield player. 'Against Man United he played to stop Fellaini from playing in the box. He is doing amazing jobs for us. He is mentally very, very strong, too. Not just physically, mentally he is very strong. 'He's learned a lot from a tactical point of view since his arrival. So we can imagine with him being aged 20, Chelsea has 10 years of Zouma.' Jose Mourinho believes that Zouma could play for Chelsea for at least the next 10 years .

Summary: Kurt Zouma kept an eye on Marouane Fellaini during Chelsea's 1-0 win . The French defender played as a defensive midfielder against Man United . Jose Mourinho wanted the 20-year-old to keep Fellaini out of the game . Chelsea boss impressed with Zouma's form during first season at the club . READ: Mourinho critics don't have leg to stand on as he is getting job done .


Jose Mourinho has thickened up his Chelsea midfield for Sunday's west London derby at QPR. The Chelsea manager has been trialling a formation with Ramires and Nemanja Matic in front of the back four as the league leaders head to Loftus Road. Mourinho has stuck with the team that it is likely to mean a more advanced role for Cesc Fabregas in the 'No10' position behind Didier Drogba up front, with fellow striker Loic Remy out injured. Brazilian midfielder Oscar has failed to complete 90 minutes in any of Chelsea's last 11 games . Eden Hazard, who Mourinho believes is the only realistic candidate to be named PFA player of the year, starts on the left. Willian will start on the right and his Brazilian team-mate Oscar may drop out of the starting line up for the clash at QPR. Chelsea are four points clear of Arsenal with two games in hand and Mourinho does not want to take any chances at Loftus Road. Chelsea's Nemanja Matic (right), in action against Stoke, is set to feature again in the heart of midfield . Oscar was disappointing during last weekend's win, and Mourinho hit out at his performance afterwards . Ramires (left) is set to be restored to the Chelsea midfield for west London at QPR on Sunday . Oscar hasn't scored for Chelsea since the middle of January after an alarming dip in form for the Blues .

Summary: Oscar was withdrawn at half-time in win over Stoke City last weekend . Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho criticised Oscar publicly after Stoke game . Brazilian midfielder has not completed 90 minutes in last 11 games . Jose Mourinho's side visit QPR in the Premier League on Sunday .


Martin Skrtel has praised the impact Steven Gerrard has had upon him since arriving at Anfield in 2008 but believes Liverpool can overcome the difficult challenge of replacing him. Reds captain Gerrard is set to feature for Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday, looking to lead his hometown side into the final against Arsenal. Should Liverpool emerge victorious against Villa, Gerrard will sign off his Anfield career in the final which takes place on his birthday of May 30, before moving to LA Galaxy. Martin Skrtel (left) says departing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is still one of the best players in the world . Gerrard is aiming to end his Liverpool career by making the FA Cup final and beating Arsenal . Skrtel (right) has praised the impact and example Gerrard has set during his time at Liverpool . Srktel believes Gerrard is synonymous with Liverpool and that the midfielder is still one of the game's leading stars. 'In my eyes he is still one of the best players in the world,' Skrtel told Goal.com. 'When you say Liverpool it's always Steven Gerrard. It will be different next season and Liverpool will never be the same.' Skrtel was signed by Rafael Benitez from Zenit St Petersburg seven years ago and despite some indifferent form upon arriving in England, the Slovakia international has gone on to become a mainstay in Liverpool's defence. Skrtel revealed that Gerrard helped him to settle at the beginning of his time at the club. 'I can say only good things about him,' Skrtel said. 'From the first day I came to Liverpool he was here to help me. He gave me a hand every single day with everything I needed. I need to say thanks for that.' While Skrtel admits Liverpool will be a different side without Gerrard among their ranks, he believes the club have potential replacements to the iconic No 8. Skrtel (left) still considers 34-year-old midfield player Gerrard one of the best players in the world . Skrtel (left) believes Liverpool have the players to fill Gerrard's void providing they are given the right help . 'He will be leaving after this season and we have a few players who can replace him. We will try to help them and try to work as a team,' Skrtel explained. Both Gerrard and Skrtel could return to the Liverpool line-up for the match against Villa after both served three-match bans for violent conduct in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in March.

Summary: Steven Gerrard will leave Liverpool for LA Galaxy at the end of the season . Martin Skrtel has praised the impact Gerrard has had on him at Liverpool . Skrtel believes the club do have players that could eventually replace him .


More than 2,200 Walmart employees are now unemployed after the retail corporation announced it was temporarily closing five stores for 'extensive' plumbing repairs. Workers at two Texas stores, as well as in California, Florida and Oklahoma, were notified only a couple of hours before they lost their jobs. Almost 550 people lost their job at the Pico Rivera store in California alone. Scroll down for video . More than 2,200 Walmart employees are now unemployed after the retail corporation announced it was temporarily closing five stores for 'extensive' plumbing repairs . 'Everybody just panicked and started crying,' deli department manager Venanzi Luna told CNN Money. Walmart will put both the full-time and part-time workers affected by the closures on paid leave for two months as they try to transfer to another Walmart location. Full-time workers who aren't able to secure another job at the corporation by June could be eligible for a severance package, but part-time workers will not be eligible. Pico Rivera City Manager Rene Bobadilla said this was the 'first time' he was hearing of Walmart's sewer problems and that store's sudden closure was 'abnormal', he told Reuters. Walmart has not yet requested any building or city plumbing permits, according to employees and city officials. Some employees of the Pico Rivera location believe the store is being closed because it has recently become a center for protests by workers who are demanding better wages and benefits. The Pico Rivera location was one of the first to stage a Black Friday protest in 2012. Some employees of the Pico Rivera location (pictured during a 2013 protest) believe the store is being closed because it has become a center for protests by workers demanding better wages and benefits . Walmart recently announced it will raise the store's minimum hourly wage to $9 an hour. Store representatives have met with city officials in Livingston, Texas, where 422 employees lost their jobs. Livingston City Manager Marilyn Sutton said the corporation claimed the plumbing problems were 'ongoing and pervasive' and that permits will not be requested until Walmart determines what specific repairs need to be made. In a statement, Walmart said it aims to 'reopen' the stores 'as soon as these issues are resolved and improvements are made.' A spokesman said the five affected stores have nothing else in common except that they have been plagued with plumbing problems for the past two years.

Summary: Five stores in Texas, California, Florida and Oklahoma have been closed . Full-time and part-time employees will be put on paid leave for 2 months while they try to transfer to a different location . Walmart said the stores will reopen after 'extensive' problems are fixed . Some employees in Pico Rivera, California believe their store was closed because it's become a protest center for higher wages .


Second homeowners face being hit with double rates of council tax under Lib Dem plans to protect rural life. Nick Clegg said wealthy people with holiday homes would not mind having to 'chip in a bit' to protect services in areas where as many as one in 10 homes are vacant for much of the year. The well-off buying up homes in tourist hotspots has also driven up property values, leaving local people priced out of the areas where they grew up. Nick Clegg - steps off a fishing boat as he visits Newlyn Harbour, near Penzance, Cornwall today - said wealthy people with holiday homes would not mind having to 'chip in a bit' to protect services in areas where as many as one in 10 homes are vacant for much of the year . Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg holds a cod at the Newlyn Fish Market in Cornwall this morning after unveiling his plan to save popular rural areas from the blight of second home owners . Under the Lib Dem plan, launched in Cornwall today, local authorities would have the power to charge 200 per cent council tax. The levy would be used in part to deter people from buying holiday homes in the first place, but the money generated could be used to support schools, post officers and other services which can become unviable without sufficient permanent residents. The double council tax would not be compulsory, but councils in areas like Cumbria, Cornwall and Devon have said they would be interested in the idea to 'discourage' second home ownership. On a campaign visit in St Austell, Cornwall, Mr Clegg said the move could help 'particularly in such a wonderful part of the country as this where there are so many people with second homes and where the prices because of that are way beyond the reach of many young people wanting to get their feet on the first rung of the property ladder'. The Lib Dem leader even claimed second home-owners would 'like to chip in a bit extra' to fund the communities in which they they spend their holidays. Mr Clegg, who visited Newlyn fish market and harbour with St Ives candidate Andrew George as he launched his countryside charter, told ITV News: 'It is giving councils the freedom to raise a bit of money from those who holiday in a community but don't live in a community all year round so that local public services can be properly supported for those people who do live in their community all year round. 'That seems to me to be fair and, I have to say to you, I suspect people who own second homes here - many of whom have significant means - would like to chip in a bit extra so that they know that, even though they are not living in a community all the time, they are nonetheless supporting the local services that local people do rely upon.' Under the Lib Dem plan, launched in Cornwall today, local authorities would have the power to

Summary: Lib Dems launch plan for 200% levy on holiday homes in tourist hot spots . Clegg insists wealthy tourists should 'chip in' to support communities . Ten per cent of homes in parts of Cornwall are only used for holidays . Local young people priced out and services struggle to survive .


Dead fish have continued to wash up on the banks of a Rio de Janeiro lake that is scheduled to hold Olympic rowing competitions during the 2016 games. Fish die-offs are a frequent occurrence in Rio's waterways, which are choked with raw sewage and rubbish. The latest incident, affecting thousands of small silvery fish called twaite shad, began several days ago at the Rodrigo de Freitas lake, where the Olympic canoeing and rowing events are to be held. The Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon will hold the Brazil 2016 Olympics rowing and canoe competitions . Currently, the lake is littered with thousands of dead fish due to the raw sewage and rubbish within it . With neighbors complaining about the stench, employees of the city's waste management company have been working to clear away the dead fish. 'Every year there are these die-offs, sometimes bigger, sometimes smaller,' said photographer Alex Moutinho, who has lived near the lake for over three decades. 'It's one more Brazilian shame.' In a statement, the city's environmental secretariat said the latest incident was the result of recent rains and high sea levels, which caused the lake's water temperature to plummet. The statement stressed that twaite shad are sensitive to variations in temperature, adding that oxygen levels in the lake were normal. Officials say the recent problems are the result of rain, which caused the lake's temperature to plummet . The city's waste management company have been brought in to clear the lake of the dead fish . Vultures feed on the dead fish on the shore of the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon in Rio de Janeiro on Monday . Previous fish die-offs in the lake have been blamed on pollution-related drops in oxygen levels. The cause of February die-off of twaite shad in the Guanabara Bay, where the Olympic sailing events are to be held, were not known. Rio's water quality has become a contentious topic ahead of the 2016 Olympics. Authorities had pledged to clean up some of the waterways including the Guanabara Bay ahead of the games but now admit those promises won't be met, sparking sailors to voice worries about possible health and safety threats posed by competing in the sewage and garbage-filled waters. Residents concerned about the water quality of a canal in the Rio neighborhood of Recreio staged a protest on Sunday. Hundreds of demonstrators linked arms along the Canal das Taxas, which is filled with raw sewage from nearby condominiums. The canal flows into a lagoon where the Olympic Park is being built.

Summary: The Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon will hold the 2016 Olympic rowing races . Currently, the lake is filled with thousands of dead twaite shad fish . Rio's waterways are choked with raw sewage and rubbish, and concerns have been raised over health and safety ahead of the Olympics . Officials say the deaths are due to a plummet in the water temperature .


He may be the fastest man on the planet, but Usain Bolt has made no secret of his love for chicken nuggets, KFC hot wings, Pringles crisps and a pint of Guinness. But now the Jamaican sprinter has had to lay off his beloved fast food and eat a 'lot more vegetables', despite confessing that 'he hates them all'. And it is his chef who is entrusted with the unenviable task of chasing him round the house to check he is eating his greens. Cutting back: Usain Bolt said he has had to lay off his beloved fast food and eat vegetables instead . 'I haven't had KFC for about four months, which is killing me', the 28-year-old sprinter said in an interview with Runner's World. 'I've tried to bribe my chef but not only is he not bribeable, he chases me around the house and makes sure I eat what he's cooked. 'He also lays out my vitamin pills and supplements in front of me so I can't "forget" to take them. 'I eat a lot more vegetables - and I hate them all. I used to eat them occasionally, but now with every meal I have a plate just for veg. But I can't get away any more with just winging it. 'To perform how I want I have to be perfect in training - and eating right is a part of training - so down it goes.' He added: 'I've backed off hard liquor too - rum and that stuff - but I still drink Guinness, or a Heineken or two. A guy's got to have something, right.' Perfection: The sprinter said that he needs to be 'perfect in training' and 'eating right is a part of training' Showman: The Jamaican has always been notorious for his unhealthy diet and love of fast food . Bolt, who won gold with an Olympic record of 9.63 at London 2012, admitted eating a McDonald's wrap on the morning of the race, as well as 'some hash browns, rice and pork.' He also consumed 1,000 McNuggets as he set three world records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, earning three gold medals. Bolt, 28, is not the only athlete who has confessed to having an unhealthy diet. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals, enjoyed a staggering 12,000 calorie breakfast diet. This included three fried egg sandwiches, with cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, fried onions and mayonnaise; a five-egg omelette, three sugar-coated slices of French toast, and bowl of grits, two cups of coffee and three chocolate chip pancakes. Elsewhere in the interview, Bolt said Tyson Gay should have been given a longer ban for drugs cheating and branded the decision to shorten his punishment 'the stupidest thing I've ever heard'. Gay had his suspension reduced after he agreed to co-operate with authorities, and is now set to compete against Bolt after returning to the sport. The interview with Usain Bolt appears in the May issue of Runner's World.

Summary: Sprinter says he is 'eating a lot more vegetables' but 'hates them all' His chef 'chases' him around the house to ensure he eats what he's cooked . Bolt admits he must eat right food as he has to be 'perfect in training' Admitted to consuming 1,000 McNuggets at the 2008 Beijing Olympics .


A woman has become the latest victim of violent anti-immigrant protests sweeping South Africa after she was left covered in blood when rocks were thrown through her car window. So far six people are believed to have been killed in the violent protests which started two weeks ago in Durban, a key port on South Africa's Indian Ocean coast, spreading to Johannesburg. In the latest show of violence around 200 protesters, shouting that they wanted immigrants to leave the country, pelted passing vehicles and the police with rocks. Scroll down for video . Victim: Carol Lloyd was left injured and covered in blood after rocks were thrown at and shattered her car window in the latest wave of anti-immigrant protests near Johannesburg in South Africa . Armed: South African police were called in to help foreign nationals as violent protests spread to Johannesburg, threatening more killings . People run for cover from a stun grenade and tear gas after a skirmish between locals and foreign nationals in Durban, South Africa, today . A group of foreign nationals threaten to defend themselves as police get between them and South Africans after a peace march in Durban . Carol Lloyd was forced to stop her car as she drove close to Jeppestown after she was injured when a rock smashed through her car window. South African police responded to the wave of protests, which are motivated by the large number of immigrants and high unemployment rates, by firing rubber bullets and tear gas today to disperse the crowds. Protests began two weeks ago and six people have been killed, and dozens of foreign nationals have emptied their shops and fled over fears of attacks. Violence flared days after Zulu King Goodwill Zwelithini said in remarks reported by local media that foreigners should leave South Africa. He has since said his comments were misinterpreted. Addressing parliament in Cape Town on Thursday, President Zuma reiterated his condemnation of the violence, calling it a 'violation' of South Africa's values. Ms Lloyd stopped her car near Jeppestown, close to Johannesburg, after her window was smashed (left) and she was left bloodied (right) In Actonville, South African men were seen singing, armed with clubs and pieces of wood, as they called for foreign shop owners to leave . Police responded to the violence in South Africa by firing tear gas grenades as they began to enter men's hostels to search for weapons . Raid: Anti-riot police today raided a hostel in Benonu where local residents are suspected have taken part in the large scale protests . Weapons: Police in Benoni have been looking for guns in the homes of protesters, who have been throwing rocks at trucks carrying supplies . 'No amount of frustration or anger can ever justify the attacks on foreign nationals and the looting of their shops,' he said. 'We condemn the violence in the strongest possible terms. The attacks violate all the values that South Africa embodies.' He also said the government was taking steps to secure its porous borders and making progress in setting

Summary: Anti-immigrant protests have been ongoing in South Africa for two weeks and at least six people have been killed . Carol Lloyd was injured after rocks were thrown at and smashed her car window as she drove near to Jeppestown . Foreign nationals have been loading trucks with their wares as they flee Johannesburg and neighbouring towns . Protesters are angry about foreigners in the country when unemployment is high and wealth isn't distributed equally .


Mixed martial arts fighter Anderson Silva will meet with Brazilian taekwondo officials in the hope of competing in next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, despite facing a possible doping ban. Silva this week expressed his desire to represent Brazil in the 2016 Games, and local taekwondo officials said they like the idea of having the MMA fighter on the team. The Brazilian taekwondo confederation said Wednesday that 'this wonderful possibility' of Silva competing in the Olympics will be discussed next week between the fighter and local officials. Anderson Silva (right) will meet with taekwondo officials in the hope of competing in next year's Olympics . The 40-year-old Silva began his career as a taekwondo fighter and is a black belt in the sport. He is an ambassador for taekwondo in Brazil. Silva, who is currently suspended by UFC after failing drug tests, said in a letter to the taekwondo confederation that it would be 'an immense pleasure' to be part of the Brazilian team in Rio. 'Everybody knows that every top athlete dreams about the Olympic Games,' Silva said. 'As an ambassador to the sport, and with the games taking place in my country, I'm even more motivated by the Olympic spirit.' Silva said he would compete with all his 'esteem, strength and honor.' On Wednesday, he posted on his official Twitter account a photo of himself practicing taekwondo. Silva tested positive for two steroids in an out-of-competition test Jan. 9, and also failed a test after his UFC victory over Nick Diaz on Jan. 31. The 40-year-old Brazilian posted a photo of himself practising taekwondo on Wednesday . The Brazilian later said in a statement that he always 'played clean' and 'never used any substances' to improve his performances, and that he was 'still waiting for the results and analysis from the specialists that are working to reveal the truth.' Silva has a hearing scheduled for May on the doping allegations. Silva is considered one of the best pound-for-pound mixed martial arts fighters in the history of the sport, . The former middleweight champion returned to the cage in January after breaking his lower left leg more than a year ago. He beat Diaz but the victory was quickly overshadowed by the doping headlines that surfaced shortly after the fight. Silva delivers a flying knee against Nick Diaz in their middleweight bout in Las Vegas in January . According to the Brazilian taekwondo confederation, its president Carlos Fernandes was 'pleased' to receive Silva's proposal, but many details still must be discussed before his participation in the games can become a reality. There are doubts about Silva's eligibility for the games, as well as about his form, considering he hasn't competed in taekwondo events in a long time. 'He is a great MMA athlete, but taekwondo has its own characteristics, so I'm sure he is not ready yet to compete for a spot in the team,' Lucas Ferreira, one of the other Brazilian taekwondo fighters hoping to participate in the Olympics, told Globoesporte.com. 'He will have to fight for a spot

Summary: Anderson Silva is currently suspended by UFC after failing drug tests . The Brazilian hopes to compete in next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro .


The plug was pulled on Manny Pacquiao’s last conference call as the Fight of the Century continued its bitter way towards a half-billion dollar fortune. Bob Arum, the PacMan’s veteran promoter, ordered an end to the discussion when he realised that many more than the promised tight-knit group of leading sportswriters were jamming the lines. Arum has always doubted the worth of mass telephone talk-ins, during which the same questions are often asked over and over again by different callers, many from the social media. Manny Pacquiao answers questions from the assembled media at his open workout day last week . Bob Arum (centre) addresses the media at Pacquiao's open workout day in Los Angeles last week . Pacquiao with his wife and children (left to right) Michael, Israel, Emmanuel, Princess and Queen Elizabeth . Mayweather visits SubZero Recovery in Las Vegas, a new-age version of the ice bath . ‘They’re a waste of time,’ says Arum.’I don’t want Manny tied up for hours like this.’ Pacquiao had just said ‘very good’ in response to an opening question about how well training camp was going. At first, the camp had blamed the log-jam of callers for overloading the system. Floyd Mayweather is due for his final conference call this Wednesday. The wrangling goes on and on. And still the tickets are not on sale!

Summary: Bob Arum pulls plug on phone interview after too many people on the call . Manny Pacquiao answers 'very good' to a question before interview ended . Floyd Mayweather is due for his final conference call this Wednesday . Mayweather: I am better than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson . READ: Mayweather-Pacquiao weigh-in will be first ever with paid-for tickets .


These are the horrific final moments of a 44-year-old suspect who was apparently accidentally shot dead by a 73-year-old reserve deputy last week after he fired his handgun instead of his Taser. In the footage, released by police, deputies are filmed chasing after Eric Harris, first by car then on foot, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 2 after he fled during a sting operation in a nearby parking lot. Once they catch up to Harris, they tackle him to the ground and order him to lie on his stomach. Robert Bates then yells, 'Taser! Taser!' - but takes out his service weapon and pulls the trigger. After firing one round into Harris, the former full-time officer drops his gun from the recoil and says in shock: 'Oh, I shot him! I'm sorry.' Harris then starts yelping on the ground, while pleading for help. WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO . Chase: This newly-released video of Eric Harris's fatal shooting shows deputies chasing after Harris, first by car then on foot, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 2 after he fled during a sting operation in a nearby parking lot . Fleeing: The deputies run after Harris, who was allegedly caught trying to buy drugs and a gun from cops . View from the ground: Once they catch up to Harris, they tackle him to the ground and order him to lie on his stomach. Robert Bates then yells, 'Taser! Taser!' (pictured) - but takes out his handgun and pulls the trigger . The fatally-wounded man, who is being held down by his neck by the deputies, exclaims: 'Oh my god, he shot me! He shot me! He shot me, man.' He then adds: 'Oh, my god. I'm losing my breath.' Shockingly, one of the deputies replies: 'F*** your breath.' Another calls Harris, who is black and dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, a 'motherf***er' and tells him: 'You shouldn't have f***ing ran.' Following the incident, during which the deputies do not appear to realize Harris has been fatally injured and even tell him to 'shut the f*** up', the suspect was hospitalized. He died an hour later. The footage, obtained by NewsOn6, comes as a number of US shootings involving police officers and black suspects have hit the headlines. Many of the suspects were unarmed at the time. In the April 2 incident, Bates accidentally fired his gun thinking that he had pulled out his Taser - as proved by the fact he did not expect the weapon to recoil, the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office said. Bates, who had been monitoring the situation from afar, ran up to Harris in a bid 'to get the situation under control', before mistakenly firing his gun instead of his Taser, according to on-site deputies. Apology: After firing one round into Harris, the former full-time officer drops his gun from the recoil and says in shock: 'Oh, I shot him! I'm sorry' (pictured) Harris then starts yelping on the ground, while shouting, 'Help!' Shooting: This photo shows a deputy bending down to pick up Bates's dropped gun following the 'accidental'

Summary: WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO . Video of Eric Harris's shooting released by Tulsa County Sheriff's Office . Shows deputies chasing Harris, 44, through Tulsa, Oklahoma, on April 2 . They tackle him to ground; reserve deputy Robert Bates shouts 'Taser!' But instead of pulling out Taser, he takes out service weapon and fires . Bates says, 'I shot him! I'm sorry!', while Harris begins yelping in pain . Suspect, being held down by his neck, then says: 'I'm losing my breath' Other unidentified cops tell him, 'f*** your breath,' and 'shut the f*** up' Harris was later hospitalized, died an hour later; investigation ongoing .


Three years ago, Pakistan had almost completely eradicated polio, a devastating disease which paralyses its victims' legs but is preventable with a simple injection. Today, it's on the rise again after the Taliban declared the vaccine to be a 'Western conspiracy' and a 'bio-weapon' that would actually make children sick, and waged violent attacks against those found to be supplying it. But mother-of-three Farhina Touseef - the subject of Channel 4's Unreported World - is risking her life by leading a team of medics as they travel door-to-door through dangerous Taliban strongholds offering the free vaccines to parents. Mother-of-three Farhina Touseef (pictured) is risking her life by leading a team of medics as they travel door-to-door through dangerous Taliban strongholds offering the free vaccines to parents . Flanked by reporter Nelufar Hedayat, Farhina takes her life into her hands on every mission she goes, unsafe in the knowledge that more than 80 health workers before her have been slaughtered by the Taliban. The Taliban, a Islamic fundamentalist political movement which was toppled from power after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, is famed for its hard-line policies and brutality against women. In Pakistan, polio has been on the rise since the Taliban declared the vaccine to be a 'bio-weapon' that would actually make children sick. Pictured, reporter Nelufar Hedayat with two polio victims . Two young sisters, Maheen and Mariam, pictured with their brother, contracted the disease after their father, a conservative cleric, refused to give them polio drops . It is opposed to music, television and education for girls over the age of ten, among other things - the polio vaccine included. Farhina, along with several other of the government-spearheaded teams, is desperate to stop the spread of the highly contagious disease, which the World Health Organisation has called an international public health emergency. '[My family] wanted me to give up work because it’s so risky,' Farhina admits. 'It’s life threatening. My husband said 100 per cent I should resign. But I couldn’t do it.' There have been 322 cases of polio across the country in the last two years, the majority of them children under three. Pictured, Maheen and Mariam's mother, who wanted them to have the vaccine . Farhina, pictured hiding beneath her veil, takes her life into her hands on every mission she goes, unsafe in the knowledge that more than 80 health workers before her have been slaughtered by the Taliban . Vaccination - administered in drop-form into the mouth - is the only way to stop the spread of polio, and there is no cure. There have been 322 cases of polio across the country in the last two years, the majority of them children under three. Farhina tells Nelufar that many of the people they try to help refuse the medicine and are hostile – dangerous even, having been indoctrinated by the Taliban. Two of her colleagues were gunned down on the job in 2012 by the terror group for issuing the vaccine. Farhina and the Channel 4 team travelled to Orangi Town, a

Summary: Farhina Touseef travels the country administering the free vaccine to kids . The Taliban has labelled it a 'bio-weapon' and attacks those who supply it . Polio, which was once almost eradicated in Pakistan, is on the rise again .


Juan Mata has revealed that Wayne Rooney believes England can win Euro 2016 in France - and he tells him so every day. In an interview with Football Focus, Manchester United's player of the month for March lifted the lid on England captain Rooney's bullish attitude looking ahead to the tournament in June next year. And Mata, who has not played for Spain since their exit from the 2014 World Cup in the group stages in Brazil, admitted England could be a team to look out for. Juan Mata revealed Wayne Rooney regularly tells him England can win Euro 2016 in France . Rooney netted his 47th England goal in the 4-0 victory against Lithuania at Wembley last week . Mata (left) has spoken of his desire to earn a recall to the Spain squad after missing out since the World Cup . 'I think England has that potential,' Mata said. 'You have a lot of good players, talented players already paying in the Premier League for a long time so maybe the next Euros - as Rooney is telling me every day - you will do a great job in France. 'He keeps telling me that, "We can win, we can win, we have a great team, we have a young team, quick team, I'm the captain and we can win!" He has that confidence.' Rooney took his England scoring tally to 47 goals in 103 caps with the opener against Lithuania last week and now only trails all-time leading scorer Sir Bobby Charlton by two. Rooney's England tally is only two behind the record of 49, set by Sir Bobby Charlton . Mata (left) and Rooney will look to continue Manchester United's form against Aston Villa on Saturday . Providing an injury or an alarming loss of form does not strike, Rooney should have broken the record by the time England are gearing up for another tournament. Rooney and Mata will look to continue United's push for a return to Champions League football when Aston Villa visit Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Summary: Wayne Rooney tells Juan Mata 'every day' England can win Euro 2016 . Mata was voted Manchester United's player of the month for March . Manchester United take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday .


Three men have today been arrested on suspicion of murdering missing chef Claudia Lawrence . Three men arrested on suspicion of the murder of missing chef Claudia Lawrence have been released on bail. The three men, who are in their 50s are all from the York area. The trio were questioned over night by police investigating the chef's disappearance. Ms Lawrence was 35 when she vanished on March 18, 2009. Her father, Peter, reported her missing after she failed to turn up to work in the canteen of the University of York for her 6am shift. Detectives previously questioned a man in his 50s from York in March in connection with Ms Lawrence's murder. He remains on police bail. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'Although they have been released from custody, proceedings in this case - as they relate to them - remain active.' Officers confirmed that Ms Lawrence's parents have been kept informed of current developments. Detectives are currently looking for evidence which could lead to the discovery of Ms Lawrence's body. Specialist teams of forensic officers have searched three locations in the York area looking for evidence. Detectives began reviewing the case in 2013 and have since carried out a number of searches, including a detailed re-examination of Miss Lawrence's home, in the Heworth area of York, and a fingertip search of an alleyway that leads to the rear of the house. They have also issued previously unseen CCTV footage of two people walking near the house. The new arrests, and the arrest in March, are understood to be linked to these lines of inquiry. Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of North Yorkshire Police's Major Crime Unit and the senior investigating officer in the Claudia Lawrence inquiry, said: 'I urge everyone to again show restraint and patience while we carry out these very important enquiries. Your co-operation and support is greatly appreciated by the investigation team.' Miss Lawrence (right) was reported missing by her father Peter (left) on March 18, 2009 . Specialist forensic officers searched the houses of the three suspects and their gardens . Officers completed their searches earlier this afternoon before the three men were released on police bail . There has been a £10,000 reward for information which will lead to the whereabouts of Miss Lawrence . Neighbours said the police arrived at 7am on Wednesday before cordoning off each of the houses . People living around the homes that are being searched said officers arrived just before 7am yesterday. At the address nearest to Miss Lawrence home, uniformed police wearing face masks could be seen carrying out brown evidence bags. Martin Dales, friend of Claudia's father, said the new arrests were a positive movement in the investigation but that progress was a series of ups and downs for the family. Speaking outside the chef's house, he said: 'Peter finds it very hard, going up and down. 'You feel like you might be getting somewhere and then you get let down. 'Three arrests is certainly a big movement for the police though. 'That's four people

Summary: Police confirmed the men are all aged in their 50s and from the York area . Comes after another man, in his 50s and from York, arrested last month . The men were released earlier today after being questioned over the case . Body of missing chef, 35 when she disappeared in 2009, hasn't been found .


A 17-year-old teen is so allergic to water that even sweating can cause a potentially deadly burning rash. Alexandra Allen, from Utah suffers with the condition aquagenic urticaria, which is so rare it affects just 35 people in the whole world. Showers have to be quick and cold - long soaks in the bath are out of the question because they trigger burning inflammation. Alexandra Allen, 17, from Utah suffers with the condition aquagenic urticaria. Showers have to be quick and cold - long soaks in the bath are out of the question because they trigger burning inflammation . The symptoms can last from a few hours to a week after exposure, reports Deseret News. Alexandra first realized she had the condition when she developed hives after spending time in a hot tub while on vacation. A person with Aquagenic Urticaria is essentially allergic to water. After coming into contact with water - or blood, sweat and tears - the sufferer develops painful, itchy hives that spread over the affected area. These can last anywhere between 10 minutes to an hour-and-a-half. Some sufferers have to lie down to let the pain subside. Investigators believe the hives are not caused by a histamine release but are the result of extreme skin sensitivity to additives in water such as chlorine. The condition is extremely rare and is thought to affect around 35 known people in the world. There is no proven treatment, but dermatologists recommend staying out of the water as much as possible. Sufferers should also take short showers, stay cool and avoid rain. Dermatologists say those with the condition can ease the burn of the hives with certain antihistamines. Then she was admitted to hospital with internal bleeding and painful joints, and unable to breathe after a trip to Flaming Gorge which has water activities. It took a while for her diagnosis to be made. When Elizabeth was about 15 she came across a medical site that discussed aquagenic urticaria - when she suggested it to her dermatologist he agreed that it was her condition. She now avoids water as much as she can. 'It's not worth it anymore,' Alexandra said to Deseret News. 'It's both emotionally strenuous and physically painful. I can't let myself go there.' Although sweat is dangerous, she now works against it by exercising only in cooler temperatures to keep her body from producing too much oil, sweat. It also helps as less sweating means she won't have to shower as she is only allowed three a week. 'It feels like your skin has been sandpapered down until there's only one layer left and it itches, but you can't itch it or it will break and burn and bleed,' she said. 'You just feel like you've been dipped in a vat of acid, not for long, but for long enough to tear off a layer of skin.' The condition, which can in some people trigger potentially a deadly anaphylactic shock, usually gets worse as sufferers get older. Investigators believe the hives are not caused by a histamine release

Summary: Alexandra Allen, 17, from Utah suffers with the condition aquagenic urticaria, which is so rare it affects just 35 people in the whole world . Admitted to hospital with internal bleeding and painful joints, and unable to breathe after a trip to Flaming Gorge which has water activities .