Goodness knows how many times at White Hart Lane I’ve felt like falling to my knees at the back of the West Stand and banging my head on the floor. I’ve lost count. A lifetime of following Spurs can have that effect on you, especially in recent years. Last Saturday’s inept capitulation to Aston Villa was the most recent occasion: a soft goal down after 45 minutes and an expensively assembled team which looked as if it had been recruited from the local JobCentre half an hour before the kick-off. Stephen Dodd took this photograph of Asif Bodi and Abubakar Bhula praying at Anfield last month . Had I actually gone through with it, however, within seconds I’d have been hauled to my feet by the stewards and steered unceremoniously towards the exit. They are especially vigilant when it comes to anyone blocking the gangways or stairwells. And given football’s tragic history, from Ibrox to Hillsborough, their caution is well-merited. So it was surprising, to say the least, to see that photograph of two Muslim Liverpool supporters praying to Mecca at half-time in an FA Cup match. They had rolled out their prayer mat at the foot of some stairs beneath the stand, apparently with the full consent of safety staff. One of the men, solicitor Asif Bodi, 46, from Preston, explained that because the televised game didn’t kick off until 4pm, the final whistle would have blown too late for them to pray outside the ground. So perhaps we can point the finger at television. Matches are shifted all over the shop by the schedulers, for purely commercial reasons. For instance, those irritating lunchtime games are designed for the benefit of bookmakers and betting syndicates in the Far East, not season ticket holders. Travelling fans often complain that evening games mean it is impossible for them to catch the last train home. But this may be the first time that a late kick-off for the convenience of television has played havoc with the Muslim call to prayer. The extraordinary scene was captured on a mobile phone camera by Liverpool supporter Stephen Dodd. He tweeted the photograph with the caption ‘Muslims praying at half-time at the match yesterday #DISGRACE.’ In no time, predictably, the balloon went up. With the customary restraint for which social media is renowned, the usual online lynch-mob were branding him a ‘bigot’ and a ‘disgrace to humanity’. The incident took place when Liverpool were playing Blackburn Rovers at Anfield in March . Needless to say, someone reported the tweet to Merseyside Police, who for once exercised commendable sanity and decided not to get involved. But Liverpool FC is investigating, saying discrimination will not be tolerated and promising to take ‘appropriate action’. To their enormous credit, Mr Bodi and his partner in prayer Abubakar Bhula are urging restraint. ‘I’ve supported Liverpool for 40 years and I used to be a season ticket holder,’ Mr Bodi said. ‘From what I understand, this guy doesn’t live too far from the ground and is probably a boyhood fan, so I wouldn’t want

Summary: Image shows two men praying at half-time during FA Cup clash . How would the management have reacted if some devout Catholics had decided to stage a holy communion at half-time? Muslim fans could start demanding special prayer rooms at stadiums .


Fire department officials in Texas have been arrested after their volunteer firefighter were charged with sexually assaulting a new male recruit with a chorizo sausage. Five firefighters and one's girlfriend, who is suspected of videoing the attack at Emergency Service District 6 Volunteer Fire Department in Waxahachie, were taken in to custody earlier this week on sexual assault charges. Fire Chief Gavin Satterfield, 31, and Assistant Fire Chief William 'Billy' Getzendaner, 34, were suspended by the department's oversight board following the arrests on Thursday for allegedly telling the victim to stay quiet. Scroll down for video . Volunteer Fire Chief Gavin Satterfield, 31 (left), and Assistant Fire Chief Billy Getzendaner, 34 (right), are facing charges of tampering with a witness after allegedly telling a sexual assault victim to stay quiet . Blake Jerold Tucker, 19 (left) was one of five men who allegedly held down the unidentified victim while Brittany Leanne Parten, 23, filmed volunteer firefighters sexually assault a new recruit with a chorizo sausage . The board may vote to suspend the entire department at a meeting on Monday, according to NBC DFW. The victim came forward in late March to report the alleged attack, which he claims took place in January. In the recording, men can be heard 'yelling and laughing with excitement' while the victim is held down and bent over a couch. The group first tries to use a broomstick to sexually assault him and then decides upon the sausage. Satterfield and Getzendaner held a closed-door meeting with everyone after the incident where they told the victim and perpetrators to delete the video and not to tell anyone, according to an arrest warrant. They said that the victim could have taken legal action against the firefighters, but told him 'But you're not going to'. The chiefs said that they saw the video and Getzendaner said 'This is some funny s***', the affidavit claims. Preston Peyrot, 19 (left) and Keith Edward Wisakowsky, 26 (right), were arrested Monday and charged for the alleged assault which took place in January . Lieutenant Alec Chase Miller, 28 (left) and Casey Joe Stafford, 30 (right), were apparently trying to initiate a new recruit into their department . The recruit said that after the attack he crawled to the bathroom and vomited before showering off the smashed up sausage. His department colleagues then reportedly stole his clothes while he was bathing, forcing him to run naked to his car for shorts. Satterfield and Getzendaner face prison time of more than five years under Texas state law if convicted of tampering with a witness. They were released on $40,000 bail each, according to the Dallas Morning News. 'We are very, very saddened by the fact that people that we have relied, this board has relied on, the people of this county and this district have relied on have been accused of something so heinous as what has happened,' a spokesman for the Emergency Services District board said. Satterfield's attorney said that the affidavit does not show that his client committed any crimes. Satterfield and Getzendaner

Summary: Man was allegedly bent over couch and sodomized during gruesome initiation ritual at Waxahachie, Texas, volunteer fire department . The five firefighters apparently 'yelled with excitement' during the January 20 incident and switched from broom to sausage . Fire chiefs thought to have told victim not to tell about sexual assault . Assistant fire chief said to have chuckled, said 'This is funny s***' Alleged victim vomited in the bathroom and his would-be colleagues stole his clothes .


Javier Hernandez made it six goals in eight starts as Real Madrid kept up their pursuit of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 4-2 win over Celta Vigo. Chicharito is currently scoring a goal every 83 minutes with a scoring ratio that is only two minutes short of Lionel Messi who nets once every 81 minutes. The Manchester United loanee put his team in the Champions League semi-finals in midweek with the winner against Atletico Madrid and in Baliados on Sunday night he scored twice to keep Real in the title race. READ PETE JENSON'S FULL MATCH REPORT HERE . Host commentator . Real Madrid are now just two points behind league leaders Barcelona. Chelsea may have wrapped up the title in England but it seems like the La Liga race will go right down to the wire. Real Madrid will have Hernandez to thanks for tonight's win as his two goals were decisive in their win over Celta. The home side the better side for large stages throughout the game but Real's quality in the final third made the difference. Yet another sign of respect by Ancelotti towards Celta. The Italian tactician now has six defenders on the pitch following the arrival of Arbeloa. Real Madrid now have three at the back with Carvajal and Marcelo acting as wing backs. Ancelotti's tactical switch shows just how much of a threat Celta have been during the 80-odd minutes or so. Hernandez will not get the chance of scoring a hat-trick as Ancelotti has decided to take the Mexican off. Pepe has been brought on to shore up the back-line. It's that man Hernandez again. Sergio Ramos runs up the pitch before playing a delightful through pass to Hernandez with the outside of his foot. The Mexican then takes one touch to bring the ball down before placing the ball into the net. A fine goal by the Real Madrid loanee. Some great football being played by Celta - and remember their wage bill is €12m compared with the €17m Real pay Ronaldo. But they are inevitably leaving themselves wide open on the counter. An equaliser doesn't look far off as Real fail to get to grips with Celta. The away side continue to counter attack with Hernandez going close after a neat run from the halfway line. Real Madrid are playing with fire. The home side should have been given a penalty as Kroos has just swiped the legs of Orellana, who was racing towards goal. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti may have to freshen his side up during the next 10 minutes or so. They are still look far from convincing. Here's a reminder of who the Italian tactician can call on from the bench. Real Madrid subs: Navas, Pepe, Coentrao, Lucas Silva, Arbeloa, Nacho, Jese . Ronaldo has always scored against Celta Vigo whenever he has faced the La Liga outfit while wearing a Real Madrid shirt. He will be desperate to add to his outstanding tally of 39 league goals. No Bale and Benzema, no problem

Summary: Nolito scores opener after just nine minutes to put his side in unlikely lead . Toni Kroos cancels out Nolito's strike before Javier Hernandez nets goal . Santi Mina then makes it 2-2 with close-range finish past Iker Casillas . James Rodriguez puts side in lead before Hernandez's second of the night . Real Madrid XI: Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Illarramendi, Isco, Rodriguez, Hernandez, Ronaldo . Celta Vigo XI: Sergio, Hugo Mallo, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny, Augusto, Krohn-Dehli, Orellana, Santi Mina, Nolito, Larrivey . Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in reverse match at the Bernabeu . Real progressed to semi-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday .


A woman who chartered her own weightloss success with body selfies found it so beneficial, she launched an app offering others the chance to do the same thing. Charlotte Li, 26, from London, decided to design Healthy Selfie with her husband Joe after they both achieved incredible results taking photos of their bodies while on a health kick. She said the idea for it came after an over-indulgent Christmas left her feeling ‘fat and unhealthy’. Scroll down for video . Charlotte reveals how taking selfies helped her to stay motivated to get fit and stay in shape . Charlotte said: 'With no holidays on the horizon and hence no impending bikini body exposure to panic about, we needed something else to give us some motivation to get in the gym. 'That motivation came in the form of stripping down to my bra and pants, and taking my first body selfie. 'I was by no means overweight, however, by looking at my body objectively, I wasn’t happy with what I saw and I decided I needed to make a change. 'I started a new fitness programme, and started eating reasonably healthily.’ Joe also charted his own success through a series of selfies before he and Charlotte decided to launch Healthy Selfie. Charlotte continued to take photos each week and would compare them to see how far she had come. She said: 'At the end of a six-week period, I compared the images with the help of Joe’s Photoshop expertise. 'The results were incredible – my body had completely changed – all in complete contradiction to the number on the scales - which had risen as I gained more muscle.' Charlotte and Joe (right) launched the app after taking selfies following an an indulgent Christmas . Joe charted his own success through a series of selfies before he and Charlotte decided to launch the app . Charlotte said: 'This was where the idea for Healthy Selfie was born. We wanted to create an app that made tracking and comparing your selfies a quick and easy process. 'By then publishing those photos in a social networking environment, the images become so much more than a self-tracking tool – they become a source of information from which other users can glean ideas and inspiration. 'Your images become testaments to the efficacy of whatever programme, diet, detox or cleanse you’re pursuing.' Charlotte says the app also provides a safe and supportive community for you to upload your pictures too, with users using the comments section to encourage each other on their journeys. Two people who have used the app said it helped them to overcome their own body issues. A student who was told he would never have a six-pack finally achieved his dream. When Harry was at college (left) he was told by his friends that he would never achieve a six pack, now he shows off his super fit body on Healthy Selfie (right) Harry's profile on Healthy Selfie shows how he is getting fitter week by week . Harry Kersley, 20, student: . Harry

Summary: Charlotte Li started taking selfies after feeling 'unhealthy' after Christmas . Helped motivate her to see her body becoming toned . Launched Healthy Selfie with husband Joe who also saw results .


She's enjoyed trips to Bahrain and Florence in the last week alone but today, Princess Beatrice was spotted in a rather less glamorous location. The 26-year-old was back on royal duties and travelled to Litchfield in Staffordshire where she opened a new classroom at the Maple Hayes School of Dyslexia. Dressed in a teal frock and a tailored black jacket, Beatrice smiled broadly as she arrived to the sound of cheers from a group of flag-waving children who had waited outside the school for her. Scroll down for video . Back to work: Beatrice arrives at the Maple Hayes School of Dyslexia in Litchfield, Staffordshire . The engagement is the second in less than four days for the Princess, who on Friday was in Reading to open the town's Talbot Memorial Garden. The space commemorates a little girl named Amelia Saunders who was once a pupil at Reading School but was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and died in 2013. The multiple appearances complete an unusually busy few days for Beatrice who has come under fire of late, thanks to her penchant for international travel. However, Beatrice, who has no official royal duties, has long championed children's educational causes and is herself dyslexic. Criticism: The two engagements come after Beatrice was criticised for going on 14 trips in just six months . Royal salute: Beatrice got a salute as her convoy pulled up outside the Maple Hayes School of Dyslexia . All business: Beatrice was making her second official visit in less than four days . Cheers: The 26-year-old was greeted by a flag-waving crowd outside the school . The 26-year-old is also patron of a number of charities, among them the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre and the Teenage Cancer Trust. Instead, Beatrice is, according to her father's website, 'working full time in business' - although that hasn't prevented her from jetting off to glamorous destinations on a regular basis. Last week, the Princess was spotted hobnobbing with designers Karl Lagerfeld and Tory Burch at a fashion conference in the city of Florence. That trip came just a day after she was seen enjoying the company of Middle Eastern and Spanish royalty at the Bahrain Grand Prix alongside her boyfriend Dave Clark, 31. Enjoying the outing: Beatrice certainly appeared to be enjoying her visit and smiled broadly . Ready: Beatrice whips the covering off a commemorative plaque . And now for the big moment: She prepares to unveil the plaque in front of students . Sorted: The Princess poses with headmaster Dr Neville Brown as she completes the unveiling . Signing in: Before she left, Beatrice happily signed the visitor's book . More recently, Beatrice has enjoyed holidays in Verbier and Greece, as well as making several trips to New York to visit her sister, Princess Eugenie, 25. Like her sister, who has lived in the Big Apple since 2013, Beatrice's jaunts could shortly become a permanent stay following the announcement that the Princess has taken a finance job there. Beatrice, who has not had a full-time job since leaving her

Summary: Princess Beatrice was hard at work opening a classroom in Staffordshire . Visit was her second official engagement in less than four days . On Friday, she opened a memorial garden at Reading School in Berkshire . But visits come shortly after another round of international travel . Last week, Beatrice was at the Bahrain Grand Prix with her boyfriend . Then jetted off to Italy for a glamorous fashion event in Florence .


As day two of the Grand National gets underway, thousands of ladies dressed in outrageous or elegant outfits as they compete in the style stakes and take in some high-class racing throughout the day. The popular event has seen over 45,000 descend on Aintree for the perfect build-up ahead of Saturday's main event, the Crabbies Grand National. Seven races make up the day as they saw Saphir Du Rheu, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davis, take home the Betfred Mildmay Novices' Chase and following up from his second place at the World Hurdle at Cheltenham festival. A.P McCoy rides Don Cossack and Eastlake in what is his last ever Grand National festival, as he looks to leave the racing scene and his legacy with a bang. Side boob alert! Some of the racegoers ended up flashing a bit more flesh than they bargained for . Hoping to be noticed: Ms Brown had certainly dressed to attract the attention of photographers in her newsprint dress and scarlet heels . Steady! A lady needs some help getting off Aintree's racing simulator, but a bride-to-be had no problems hanging on . Glugging on the go: Ladies enjoy a drink while moving through the racecourse ahead of the first race . Uh oh! Ms Brown also fell victim to the day's first wardrobe malfunction when a breeze blew her skirt up to reveal a paucity of underwear . Getting the giggles: A lady chats seriously on the phone while another just can't hide her smile as she strolls around the course . Great day out: Two ladies burst into peals of laughter as they enjoy their day out at Aintree . Full length: Floor-length dresses in summery floral print also proved a hit, with many ladies teaming them with summery sandals . And relax: Ladies perch on a piece of astro-turf and check their phones while enjoying a drink . Ladies in red: Along with bridal white, cheerful crimson also struck a chord with the ladies and it proved a popular choice . Nice dress! A quartet of ladies show off their stylish side as they strike a pose for photographers while making their way into the course . Colourful: Many of the racegoers arriving for Ladies' Day had plumped for bold brights - red was among the favourites . Showing some skin: A couple of ladies opted to flash the flesh and showed off plenty of cleavage as well as a few tattoos . Go on! A lady roars her horse home to victory during the second race of Ladies' Day at Aintree . Purple reign: A lady shows off her spectacular Grecian-inspired dress and her matching purple hat . Bright spark: Bold colour was a popular choice for the second day in a row with bright pink and pale blue taking an early lead . Tenterhooks: Earlier, the lady had looked nervous while watching the second race of the day, the Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Chase . Stripes galore: One of summer's hottest trends is stripes - and the ladies of Aintree were happy to make

Summary: Racing fans dressed in their finest outfits have arrived for Ladies' Day at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool . The event is one of the most hotly anticipated of the racing calendar in what is A.P McCoy's final festival . 45,000 spectators are believed to have arrived through the gates at Aintree for the day's racing . Sam Twiston-Davies rode Saphir Du Rheu to win the Betfred Mildmay Novices' Chase with ease . CLICK HERE for our Grand National 2015 sweepstake kit .


Rescue workers tasked with freeing almost 100 dogs that had been kept locked up in a blacked-out barn in Tennessee this week say they were met with fear when approaching the animals, but not their own. 'They had been suffering a very long time. I saw little to no emotion, and when I did see an emotion, I saw fear,' said Scotlund Haisley, president of Animal Rescue Corps, which led the rescue operation. The dogs, who had been living in complete darkness, were found last Saturday in the barn in Manchester; many emaciated, 'living in several inches of their own waste' and close to death. According to The Huffington Post, some had acid burns from the ammonia of their own urine, and there was also a wheelbarrow in the barn filled with 10 dead dogs piled on top of each other and covered in maggots. The property owner, identified as 64-year-old Caroline Irby, was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty on Monday and booked into the Coffee County jail on $10,000 bond. Scroll down for video . Deplorable conditions: Animal Rescue Corps workers help free almost 100 dogs that had been locked up in cages in a barn in Manchester, Tennessee, surrounded by their own waste on Saturday . In shock: Workers described the animals as being overcome with fear after living in tiny cages and total darkness for an unknown period . Filthy: Some of the breeds were unrecognizable because the dogs were covered in so much waste . Freed: The female owner of the Tennessee property has been charged with animal cruelty. Hoarding is an illness, authorities said . Rescue: The 97 dogs were in conditions that Animal Rescue Corps described as the worst they've ever seen . Squalor: The dogs were kept in the barn without any windows in Coffee County, Tennessee . Safe: Each of the dogs were assessed individually and then sent for treatment in Lebanon, Tennessee . Unrecognizable: The dogs were mostly all adults and a variety of breeds including Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers and Border Collies, but some were so dirty it was hard to tell . Charged: The property owner, identified as 64-year-old Caroline Irby, was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty on Monday and booked into the Coffee County jail on $10,000 bond . The dogs were mostly all adults and a variety of breeds including Golden Retrievers, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire Terriers and Border Collies. Haisley said bringing the animals outside was a stunning sight. 'Something magical happened that I had never seen before in by 26-year-old long career,' Haisley added to The HuffPost. 'When we brought everyone out, they all did the same thing. 'They shot their noses up to the sky, and what we believe they were doing was absorbing the sunshine and the oxygen.' Jackie Jones, a Smyrna-based vet, was one of many people enlisted to treat the dogs due to the overwhelming number that needed help. Many more volunteers joined the effort. 'Words can't describe how it was,' Jones told The Daily News Journal. 'It

Summary: Caroline Irby, 64, was charged with 10 counts of animal cruelty Monday . Almost 100 dogs were found locked up inside a windowless barn on her property in Manchester, Tennessee, without food or water . They were emaciated and 'living in several inches of their own waste' 10 other dogs were found dead stacked in a wheelbarrow . Rescue workers moved them to a shelter in Lebanon, Tennessee .


Television presenter Clare Balding has married her partner of 14 years. The 44-year-old said she and Alice Arnold returned to the register office where their civil partnership ceremony was held in 2006. This time they did not have a ceremony at Chiswick House, West London, nor did they invite any guests. Balding said she and Alice Arnold (right) returned to the register office where their civil partnership ceremony was held in 2006 . Miss Balding told the Daily Telegraph: ‘They just backdate it to when you did your civil partnership, so officially now we have been married since 2006. We didn’t have a big party at all actually, nobody came apart from us.’ Miss Balding has always made clear her intentions to marry once gay marriage became legal in the UK. ‘We will convert,’ she said. ‘I don’t know when yet. It is a conversion, a piece of paper. It is not an all-singing, all-dancing event but it is terribly important. ‘The next thing is to be able to say “married” and have people, businesses, ask what your husband or wife does without assuming you are straight or gay. ‘Alice and I are very, very happy and we go to a lot of things together. We are conscious of the responsibility we have [as a high-profile gay couple] and are quite happy to embrace it.’ Former BBC newsreader Miss Arnold, 53, has written in several newspapers in support of the legalisation of gay marriage. Clare Balding on the Jonathan Ross Show with Kylie Minogue and Bear Grylls . She said: ‘That one word “married” is crucial because it defines our relationship. The way we see ourselves and the way we wish others to see us.’ Miss Balding studied English at Cambridge University before following family tradition and heading into the racing profession. She was awarded an OBE in 2013 for services to broadcasting and journalism. The couple live in West London with their Tibetan terrier, Archie.

Summary: The 44-year-old has tied the knot with Alice Arnold in Chiswick, London . The pair did not have a ceremony, nor did they invite any guests . Balding made clear her intentions to marry once gay marriage was legal .


Nick Robinson returned to the TV screens last night, with his voice still recovering its strength after his cancer treatment. The BBC's Political Editor announced at the start of March that he would be taking some weeks off for treatment for a rare lung tumour. But he expressed hopes he would be fit again in time to cover 'the election proper'. Last night he returned to the BBC's News at Six to analyse the Labour's party's manifesto from the studio. BBC political editor Nick Robinson made a brief return to TV screens last night (pictured), although his voice sounded weak and strained following his cancer surgery . Mr Robinson's voice sounded weak and strained after his treatment for a bronchial carcinoid tumour which involved surgery to stop cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Afterwards he tweeted: 'Good to be back on air. Don't worry about the voice. It doesn't hurt and I'm not risking my recovery.' He said he was listening to his doctors and speech therapist. His return comes at a vital stage of the campaign, when the parties lay out their programmes for government to voters. The Tories' manifesto is unveiled today and the Liberal Democrats' is on Wednesday. Mr Robinson, 51, who is married with three children, has been sent an outpouring of good wishes, led by Prime Minister David Cameron. In a message recorded for the BBC website earlier yesterday, Mr Robinson said his return was a 'small step' and he did not expect to return to the campaign trail full-time at this stage. 'I'm taking my next small step back to reporting the election after my recent operation. As you can hear, my voice is still recovering and it's got a way to go yet. I'm not ready to go on the campaign trail full-time, but I will be watching this week's manifesto launches and the big opposition parties' debate on Thursday. 'I'll be blogging and I hope doing a little bit of broadcasting like this too. I would like to thank all those people who have sent me good wishes – it's really strengthened me. 'It's a fascinating election with an extraordinarily unpredictable result and I can't wait to get back to reporting it full-time, which, fingers crossed, could be fairly soon.' While he has been away, deputy political editor James Landale has been anchoring the election coverage and intereviewed all the major party leaders - landing the scoop that Mr Cameron would not stand for a third term if re-elected.

Summary: The reporter announced early March he would take time off due to tumour . He made a brief return last night with his voice still recovering its strength . Mr Robinson's voice sounded weak and strained following his treatment . The BBC political editor said he hoped to be back full-time 'fairly soon'


Kent Sprouse was put to death by lethal injection Thursday night in Texas. Sprouse acknowledged almost immediately after he was arrested more than a decade ago that he killed a police officer and another man outside a Dallas-area convenience store. A jury decided in 2004 that he should be put to death, and unsuccessful appeals since then have focused on whether Sprouse was mentally ill at the time of the slayings in 2002 and should be spared the death penalty. He died 22 minutes after being injected and is now the fifth inmate to be executed this year in Texas, the nation's most active death penalty state. Death row: Kent Sprouse gunned down Ferris Police Officer Marty Steinfeldt, 28, at a gas station outside of Dallas before also shooting dead a customer, Pedro Moreno, 38, in 2002 . In his final statement shortly before he was killed, Sprouse said; 'I would like to apologize to the Moreno family and the Steinfeldt family for all of the trouble I have caused them. 'I would like to apologize to my family for all of the trouble that I have caused them. I would also like to thank my family for all of their support. I guess that’s it.' Sprouse was convicted of the death of Ferris Police Officer Harry Marvin 'Marty' Steinfeldt III, who was shot outside the Ferris Food Mart about 20 miles south of Dallas. Steinfeldt, 28, was responding to a 911 call about a customer shot outside the store. Witnesses said Sprouse carried a shotgun into the store the afternoon of Oct. 6, 2002, while he made a purchase and then walked outside and fired toward two men at a pay phone. He went to his car and appeared to have some trouble with it, then shot and killed a customer, Pedro Moreno, 38, who was pumping gas nearby. As Steinfeldt drove up, he was met with gunfire and hit twice under the arm where his vest did not protect him. He managed to fire 17 shots and wound Sprouse in the chest, leg and hand. Court records indicate that Sprouse told an officer who accompanied him to a hospital that he believed Moreno was an undercover officer, so he shot him. 'And I shot the other officer that was in uniform,' Sprouse said, according to the records. Medical tests showed Sprouse, a Boone County, Missouri, native, had taken illegal drugs within the previous 48 hours. 'He started hitting the meth and went crazy,' Jim Jenkins, his lead trial lawyer in 2004, recalled last week. 'Even his family was afraid of him.' Kent Sprouse, 42, was sent to death row for a 2002 shootout at a Ferris, Texas, convenience store that killed police Officer Harry Steinfeldt III (right) and customer Pedro Moreno, whom Sprouse had asked for help repairing his car . Jurors rejected an insanity defense and pleas for a life prison term. Sprouse was charged but not tried for Moreno's death. 'It was a senseless taking of two human lives,' Don Maxfield, the now retired Ellis County chief felony

Summary: Kent Sprouse, 42, died of a lethal injection Thursday in Texas . It took 22 minutes for Sprouse to die after being injected . In 2002 he gunned down Ferris Police Officer Marty Steinfeldt, 28, at a gas station outside of Dallas and a customer, Pedro Moreno, 38 . Sprouse was high on meth, but his insanity defense was rejected and he was sentenced to death in 2004 . 'I would like to apologize to the Moreno family and the Steinfeldt family for all of the trouble I have caused them,' said Sprouse in his final statement .


The mother of Nicholas Figueroa, a 23-year-old male model who died in a building explosion on New York City's 2nd Avenue last month, has spoken out . Ana Figueroa, 55, told Daily Mail Online that though she cries every night, those responsible for the explosion and handling its aftermath have not reached out to her. 'Nobody's spoken to me, no one has called to give condolences,' she said at a memorial to her son that was set up Thursday at the site of the disaster that killed two and destroyed three buildings on March 26. Scroll down for video . Ana Figueroa (pictured with husband Nixon) has spoken out for the first time since her son Nicholas, 23, died in a gas explosion on New York City's Second Avenue . The young man and recent college graduate was paying the bill on a blind date at a sushi restaurant when three buildings in New York's East Village were destroyed . Her Upper East Side family, which includes Nicholas's father Nixon, 52, and his three younger brothers Brandon, Neal and Tyler, says it still 'wants justice' and those responsible for the explosion to be punished. However, nearly one month after the blast that killed Nicholas when he was on a blind date at a sushi bar, answers about what exactly happened in the explosion remain unclear. In early April, according to the New York Post, a plumber allegedly admitted to law enforcement that he created an illegal gas connection in the building. allegedly at the request of Michael Hyrnenko, the son of landlord Maria Hyrnenko. Mrs Figueroa said that she had not been contacted by Ms Hyrnenko and has only learned about her life after reading it in media reports. She has learned that Ms Hyrnenko is also 55 and also has four children and said Thusday, 'I wonder how she would feel if she were to lose her kid'. While he said that they didn't want to 'blame' anyone, Mr Figueroa said that the family 'wants someone to come forward and say that they did this'. Nicholas's mother, who has not previously spoken at length to the press, said she had contacted a lawyer about filing charges against the landlord, though she is waiting until after the results of the city's investigation. The Figueroas say that neither the landlord of the demolished buildings, Mayor Bill de Blasio nor Con Edison have contacted them with condolences following their loss . The family, who are afraid that their son's death and its cause will be 'put under the rug' have set up a memorial at the site of the explosion . Mrs Figueroa, who was hugged by passersby who saw the memorial to her son, said that she still cries every night . A wall has been placed around the site of the explosion, which destroyed buildings at the corner of Second Avenue and Seventh Street and damaged windows on one adjacent . Attempts by Daily Mail Online to contact Mrs Hyrnenko, who switched lawyers after the explosion, for comment were unsuccessful. Beyond Ms

Summary: Ana Figueroa, mother of Nicholas Figueroa, 23, set up memorial to her son who died in the March 26 explosion on New York City's Second Avenue . Blast, which killed two, thought to be the result of illegal gas tapping . The grieving mother said that neither the landlord of the demolished buildings, Mayor Bill de Blasio nor Con Edison have contacted her . Family has built memorial, plans to push for small park in memory of son .


Carlton Cole and Nathaniel Clyne were among the Premier League stars to attend a special event to tackle Ebola on Sunday night. The West Ham striker and Southampton right-back were in attendance at Searcys function rooms in Knightsbridge in London's West End for the 'Football Fighting Ebola' event. The event was a fundraising reception for the charity, which was founded by Cole and Godfrey Torto. Pictures from the event were shared on the charity's Facebook page. Carlton Cole (left) and Nathaniel Clyne (right) attended a fundraising event to help tackle Ebola . The West Ham striker and Southampton right back were seen at the event in Knightsbridge . TV presenter Layla Anne-Lee at the event (left) along with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Matt Phillips (right) QPR winger Shaun Wright-Phillips was also spotted at the event, as was his team-mate Matt Phillips. TV presenter Layla Anne-Lee was also in attendance at the fundraising reception on Sunday night in London. The Ebola outbreak has devastated West Africa with more than 10,000 deaths reported by the World Health Organisation.

Summary: Carlton Cole and Nathaniel Clyne attend fundraising reception . Shaun Wright-Phillips and Matt Phillips also in attendance on Sunday . The event was held in Knightsbridge in London's West End . Event was a reception for Football Fighting Ebola charity .


Greece has demanded more than £200billion in compensation from Germany for Nazi atrocities during the Second World War. The government yesterday unveiled its final calculation for the war reparations stemming from occupation by the Third Reich. The radical left Syriza party says Germany owes Greece nearly 279billion euros, or £204billion to compensate it for looting and war crimes. Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras raised the reparations issue when he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin last month . The German government says the issue was resolved legally years ago. The demand comes just days before Greece is obliged to pay 450million euros of its debt to the International Monetary Fund. Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister, has said the country ‘intends to meet all obligations to all its creditors, ad infinitum’. Greece suffered a brutal occupation at the hands Adolf Hitler’s forces in 1941. More than 40,000 people are believed to have starved to death in Athens alone. Yesterday a parliamentary committee established by Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras for the first time put an official number on the reparations claim. It includes the cost of a 10billion euro forced Nazi loan made by the Bank of Greece and the return of archaeological treasures. The revised figures amount to nearly 10 per cent of Germany's GDP. Mr Tsipras raised the reparations issue when he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin last month. He has called the reparations question a ‘moral and ethical’ issue for his country. The new figure was revealed yesterday by Greek deputy finance minister Dimitris Mardas. ‘According to our calculations, the debt linked to German reparations is 278.7bn euros,’ he told a parliamentary committee investigating responsibility for Greece's debt crisis. Mr Mardas said the reparations calculation had been made by Greece's state general accounting office. Berlin paid 115m deutschmarks to Athens in 1960 in compensation – a fraction of the Greek demand. Greece says this did not cover payments for damaged infrastructure, war crimes and the return of the forced loan. Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister, has said the country ‘intends to meet all obligations to all its creditors, ad infinitum’ Yesterday a parliamentary committee established by Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras for the first time put an official number on the reparations claim . Germany insists the reparations issue was settled in 1990 legally and politically before Germany reunified. Syriza politicians have frequently blamed Germany for the hardship suffered by Greeks under the tough bailout conditions imposed by international lenders. Ministers have floated the idea of seizing German assets in the country to compensate the families of victims of Nazi war crimes. A poll carried for Greek radio found more than 80 per cent of Greeks agreed with the pusuit of Nazi war debt claims. Yesterday Greek MPs also voted to establish a committee examining the circumstances of its 2010 bail-out by eurozone creditors and the IMF to the tune of 240billion euros. ‘After five years of parliamentary silence on the major issues that caused the bailout catastrophe, today we commence a procedure that will

Summary: Greek government has unveiled its final calculation for the war reparations . Radical left Syriza party says Germany owes Greece nearly 279billion euros . The German government claims the issue was resolved legally years ago . It comes days before Greece is obliged to pay off 450million euros of debt .


For the first time in 65 years the California Department of Water Resources has found no snow during its manual survey of the land at 6,800 feet in the Sierra Nevada in early April. Governor Jerry Brown observed the survey on Wednesday, which found the lowest water level in the Sierra Nevada snowpack since 1950 when records began. The fourth consecutive year of vanishing snow spells trouble as California depends on it to melt into rivers and replenish reservoirs. As he stood in a brown meadow that's normally blanketed in snow, Gov. Brown ordered sweeping, unprecedented measures to save water in the state. Scroll down for video . What a difference a year makes: Spatial distribution of the total volume of water in the snowpack across the Tuolumne River Basin in California's Sierra Nevada mountains as measured by NASA's Airborne Snow Observatory is seen in images from March 25, 2015 (bottom) and April 7, 2014 (top) 'We're in a new era; the idea of your nice little green grass getting water every day, that's going to be a thing of the past,' Brown said. The governor's order requires cities and towns to cut water use by 25 percent. So far in the current drought, many Californians have not made changes to their daily routines to save water or taken a hit in their wallets because of it. Attending the survey with Gov Brown was DWR Director Mark Cowin, who said Californians can expect to receive almost no water from the meager snowpack as it melts in the coming weeks. 'Today's survey underscores the severity of California's drought,' he said. 'Water conservation must become a way of life during the worst drought in most Californians' lifetimes.' In what were considered normal precipitation years, the snowpack supplied about 30 percent of California's water needs as it melts in the spring and summer. California's historically wettest winter months have already passed, and the drought is now firmly rooted in its fourth consecutive year, reports AGWeb. Frank Gehrke, left, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, and Gov. Jerry Brown walk across a dry meadow that is usually covered in several inches of snow as conducts the snow survey, near Echo Summit on Wednesday . One year ago: In this April 1, 2014 photo, Frank Gehrke, chief of snow surveys for California's Department of Water Resources, crosses a meadow still covered in snow as he returns from conducting the snowpack survey at Echo Summit, California . Early last year, Brown called for a 20 percent voluntary cutback, but the state achieved just half of that. In recent years, cities have developed storage capacity and supplies to soften the blow of future dry years — a move that has insulated residents from the severity of the current drought. In 1977, Brown asked for a voluntary 25 percent cut in water use during his first term as governor. Nearly 40 years later, he warns that drought might be the new normal as he ramps up efforts to adapt. His executive order

Summary: For the first time in 75 years the California Department of Water Resources has found no snow during its survey of the Sierra Nevada in early April . NASA images showing the snowpack across the Tuolumne River Basin show a marked decrease since last April . California depends on the snow to melt into rivers and replenish reservoirs . Gov. Brown ordered sweeping, unprecedented measures to save water in the state on Wednesday . Cemeteries, golf courses and business headquarters must significantly cut back on watering the large landscapes . The governor's order contains no water reduction target for farmers . Initiatives are part of the goal to reduce water use by 25 percent compared to levels in 2013 .


A Connecticut teenager with cancer who took her fight to stop her chemotherapy treatments to the state's Supreme Court must remain in custody of the state even though her disease has gone into remission, a judge ruled on Wednesday. Superior Court Judge Carl Taylor in Middletown, Connecticut, denied requests made last month by attorneys for both Cassandra and her mother, Jackie Fortin, that the 17-year-old be released from the temporary custody of the state Department of Children and Families, or that her mother be permitted to visit her in the hospital. The judge ruled on Wednesday she must remain in DCF custody until completing court-ordered chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Scroll down for video... Going nowhere: Cassandra Fortin was ordered by the Connecticut Supreme Court to undergo cancer treatment . Picture of health: Cassandra has been at Children's Medical Center in Hartford since December receiving chemo to which she was originally opposed . In state care: The Department of Children and Families took temporary custody after Cassandra refused her chemotherapy treatments for Hodgkin lymphoma . The state agency last fall won temporary custody of Cassandra after she and her mother argued she did not want chemo treatments despite the risk of dying without them. The state Supreme Court then ruled against Cassandra's claim that she was mature enough to make her own medical decisions. Treatments were ordered for at least six months after doctors said the teen had an 85 percent chance of survival with chemotherapy, but faced a near certainty of death within two years without it. But after she was declared by doctors to be in remission in March, her lawyer Joshua Michtom and attorneys for her mother appealed at a closed-door court hearing seeking permission to allow her to go home to complete treatments, or at least to permit her mother to visit her in the hospital. Staying put: Ms Fortin, left, said the hospital tried to prevent her mother, Jackie, right, from visiting her room . Support: Mrs Fortin, pictured, said she was behind her daughter's decision to not undergo cancer treatment. Hodgkins lymphoma (cells pictured) is a disease of the white blood cells . Hodgkin's Lymphoma is cancer of the white blood cells called B lymphocytes that circulate around the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body. The lymphatic system is part of your immune system. Clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains infection-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes. Lymphoma causes the lymphocytes to multiply in an abnormal way and collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes or glands. These lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making you more vulnerable to infection. The most common symptom of HL is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. It usually affects young adults aged between 15 and 35 and adults over the age of 50. The cause is unknown but risk factors include medical

Summary: Cassandra Fortin, 17, wanted to decline chemotherapy for her cancer . Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that Ms Fortin must undergo treatment . The teenager complained that she had been 'treated like an animal' She said the hospital refused to allow her mother to visit her .


She's a household name, having hosted several TV shows, edited the Australian Women's Weekly, and launched her own wellness website 'Balance by Deborah Hutton'... and now Deborah Hutton has added another accolade to add to her merit - she's releasing a cook book of favourite recipes that she has compiled over the years. This week Hutton has released 'My Love Affair with Food' in collaboration with the Australian Women's Weekly, featuring over 40 recipes as well as some of her cherished food memories and personal photos. The 53-year-old media personality shared her favourite recipes from the book with Daily Mail Australia. Scroll down for recipes . Cooking credit: Media personality Deborah Hutton has added 'cookbook author' to her accolades . Despite having a health and wellbeing website, Hutton has chosen not to buy into the 'diet/health cookbook' trend and is bringing back wholesome cooking and real food recipes that make her happy - salt and carbs inclusive. 'I've always had a love affair with food, I love cooking food, shopping for it and while it's always been a challenge since my modelling days to both enjoy food but still fit into the clothes I like, I think if you set yourself up for a too strict routine you’ll fall off the wagon at some point,' says Hutton. 'There’s enough health books out there, I'm not about to do one,' she said. 'While it’s good to have your diet cookbooks and no sugar, these recipes are about the things that make me happy.' And if Hutton's confession that 'a gin and tonic and salty chips' after a day on the golf course is one of the things that makes her happy, the cook book is sure to appeal. Confessed carb lover: Hutton bucks 'health trend' in favour of wholesome food - salt and carbs included . Crisp comfort: The 'Crispy Cheese Ravioli' as featured in 'My Love Affair with Food' Ingredients . Method . 1. Place the egg and breadcrumbs in separate bowls. 2. Half fill a deep-fryer or large saucepan with oil and heat to 190°C (the oil is hot enough when a cube of bread dropped in the oil turns golden in 30 seconds). Dip each ravioli in egg, then toss in the breadcrumbs, to coat. Working in batches of five, fry the ravioli for 1–2 minutes or until golden and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. 3. Meanwhile, heat the pasta sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until hot. Season to taste and stir in chopped basil; transfer to a heatproof serving bowl. 4. Arrange the ravioli on a platter, sprinkle with the extra parsley or basil and serve with the sauce for dipping. Note: If you prefer not to use a cheese filling, any ravioli works just as well. Time: 25 minutes . Serves: 4-6 . This dish makes you look like a star without really trying. I like to quickly cook these after everyone has arrived, so the cheese is still warm and gooey. Just ask your guests to pass the

Summary: Australian media personality Deborah Hutton, 53, releases new cookbook . 'My Love Affair with Food' is a compilation of her favourite recipes . Hutton says it is not a health or diet cookbook, just good food . She shares three recipes from the book with Daily Mail Australia .


Patriotic countrymen and women turned out in their finest red and white today to enjoy St George's Day celebrations in the sunshine. Veteran parades and Morris men were seen across the country, with spectators draped in flags cheering them on. Described by the Prime Minister as 'a day to be celebrate all that makes England great', St George's Day takes place on April 23 every year. With temperatures of around 20C in parts of the country, planned outdoor events were able to go forward. Among them was the annual Nottingham St George's Day Parade which attracted around 200 people. Joined by trucks and horses, the crowd marched through the city centre from Forest Recreation Ground earlier today. Morris dancers kick off the festivities in Leadenhall Market in the City of London this afternoon as the nation celebrates St George's Day . A baby is dressed in appropriate white with red accessories to match the St George's Cross during the annual parade in Nottingham . Revellers carry flags on poles and drape their horses in white and red fabric to march through the centre of Nottingham in traditional dress . In Emsworth in Hampshire, members of the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery lead a local St George's Day Parade with residents watching on . Crowds basked in temperatures of up to 20C in some parts of the country today after a spell of unusually warm weather for this time of year . In Emsworth in Hampshire a group of veterans led the festivities. The men, who belonged to 12 Regiment Royal Artillery, led a procession through the town centre. Their parade was also to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In the City of London, Morris men brightened up Leadenhall Market, dancing through the shopping arcade to the amusement of workers on their lunch break. Temperatures were slightly warmer across England today than on St George's Day last year, with parts of north Yorkshire the warmest at 20.9C. It comes after a week of abnormally warm weather that is set to end tomorrow, said forecasters. 'There is certainly a change on the way, as of tomorrow we'll see wetter fronts,' said Helen Roberts, a Met Office forecaster. 'The first will be affecting south west England and Wales with some rain pushing in through the afternoon on Friday. 'A cold front will creep across Scotland and will be pretty slow moving. That will reach southern England on Sunday bringing some heavy rain at times.' Two women don face masks to take part in the festivities in Nottingham this morning. The event was organised by the Royal St George Society which is 200 years old . Crowds wave flags and march in the sunshine in Nottingham where more than 200 people attended the annual 'Royal Parade' A man sports a chain mail costume in Leadenhall Market in the City of London (left) while another reveller in Nottingham (right) opts for a more contemporary get-up . Morris dancers in Leadenhall Market in the City of London put on a colourful display

Summary: Revellers took part in outdoor parades and Morris dancing to celebrate St George's Day across the country . Temperatures soared to 20.9C in north Yorkshire but forecasters warned colder, wetter weather was on the way . From tomorrow the weather will return to what is normal for this time of year with clouds and highs of around 12C .


The leader of France's far-right has been named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people alongside President Barack Obama, Pope Francis and Kanye West. National Front leader Marine Le Pen, 46, who took over from her father in 2011, says it shows that her party's brand of political change is getting attention on both sides of the Atlantic. In an interview before a dinner in honour of the Time 100 ion New York on Tuesday, the leader of the staunchly anti-immigration Front spoke of representing a 'great political force'. Anti-immigrant honoured: The leader of right-wing National Front, Marine Le Pen, 46, said being one of the Time 100, shows that her party's brand of political change is getting attention on both sides of the Atlantic . 'People are taking note of the political upheavals that are happening, a great political force that I represent tonight - and that tomorrow can perhaps change the face of decisions that are made not just in France, but perhaps in Europe,' Le Pen said. The recognition comes at an eventful time for Le Pen, who recently announced she would oppose her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, on his candidacy in France's regional elections in December. Earlier this month, Le Pen Snr, who founded National Front in 1972, infuriated his daughter with a series of racist and anti-Semitic remarks. The 86-year-old had repeated his claim that the Holocaust was ‘a detail of history’ and had also praised France’s wartime leader Marshal Petain, who collaborated with Hitler. This angered Marine, who said she would not back him in the elections and accused him of ‘political suicide’. Far-right views: Before The Time 100 gala in New York, the leader of the staunchly anti-immigration Front spoke of representing a 'great political force' in Europe . Family feud: Marine, who took over leadership of the party from her father Jean-Marie, 86, in 2011 recently accused him of 'political suicide' after he repeated his claim that the Holocaust was ‘a detail of history’ After this, Jean-Marie Le Pen told French publication Le Figaro that he was withdrawing his candidacy in the south-east Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region ‘even though I think I am the best candidate’. The former paratrooper said it was because the party was at risk of being ‘dangerously weakened’ over what he called a severe but unjustified crisis over his comments. Mr Le Pen, who remains the Front’s honorary president, said the best replacement candidate would be his grand-daughter Marion Marechal-Le Pen, 25, who confirmed shortly after that she would seek the party’s nomination. Marine Le Pen declined Tuesday to discuss what she thought would be an appropriate punishment but said the party 'can no longer be the hostage of views that are personal views and that certainly contradict the political action of the National Front.' Influential: Rapper Kanye West and his wife, reality TV star Kim Kardashian-West are both on the list . Proud: Mia Farrow and her son Ronan Farrow both attended the Time 100 Gala, in New York last night . Celebrated: Actors Bradley Cooper and Emma Watson

Summary: National Front-leader named as one of Time's 100 most influential . Marine Le Pen said it shows her 'brand of politics' is getting attention . Le Pen, 46, has tried to rid party of its extreme right-wing past .


Some tour guides will do anything for a good tip. In the Australian outback, if you want to get up-close and personal with a mob of local Emus, you need a guide who will get down and dirty ... apparently. In a video posted online by YouTube user Ratbag Nomad, one man, referred to as Australianwidefishingguide, shows tourists how it's done. Emus are notoriously curious flightless birds of Australia . As the tour guide started peddling his legs slowly in the air, the mob of emus started coming closer . And closer . The video, filmed from a vehicle on an empty dirt road in the bush, shows the guide lying down on his back and kicking his legs in the air to lure a mob of emus in the distance. Peddling his legs to the sky, he looks like something between an up-side down bicycle rider and a dead cockroach. Sure enough, the Emus - known to be especially curious birds - come close to see what's going on, then scatter as the guide leaps to his feat. A good leg in the air does the trick . As the guide leapt to his feet, the inquisitive birds scattered . It's thought to be an old Aboriginal trick to catch an emu - whose meat was highly valued for its oils. Emus belong to the same family of flightless birds as the ostrich and the cassowary. Capable of reaching running speeds of up to 70 km/hour, they're said to be able to 'run the pants off a Kangaroo.' The manoeuvre is thought to be an old Aboriginal trick to catch an emu - a bird whose meat was highly valued for its oils but who are too fast to catch on foot .

Summary: Tour guide gets down in the dirt to attract a mob of emus in the outback . The flightless birds are able to reach running speeds of 70 kms/hr . The manoeuvre is thought to be an old Aboriginal technique to catch emus .


Whether it is through Sir Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas or Ian Stannard, Ireland's classics king Sean Kelly believes the time has come for Team Sky to break their duck in one of cycling's Monuments. With the two major cobbled classics - the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix - looming large over the next two weekends, it is time to see the early results of Sir Dave Brailsford's move to put more emphasis on the Spring Classics in his second five-year plan for Team Sky. With Wiggins electing to sign off his Team Sky career with an appearance at Paris-Roubaix on April 12, the races are bound to be a big part of the team's season whatever the outcome. British Bradley Wiggins competes during the the Gent-Wevelgem one day cycling race on March 29 . The shift in emphasis has already paid dividends in the early part of the season, with Stannard defending his title at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Team Sky's third victory in the Belgian race, while Thomas last week won E3 Harelbeke - a key warm-up for this weekend's Tour of Flanders. Kelly, whose record of nine Monument wins puts him in a tie for third all-time, likes what he sees from Team Sky as the big races approach. 'Right now they're looking really good,' Kelly said. 'They've been very impressive in the semi-classics. Can they finish it off by winning a big one?' Team Sky's focus on the Grand Tours up to now has left them short of riders equipped to win classics, while the usually chaotic nature of the races is anathema to their favoured controlling tactics. But the development of Stannard and Thomas gives Team Sky two in-house contenders, while Wiggins raised eyebrows with his ninth-placed finish in Paris-Roubaix last year and he vowed to return. Luke Rowe could also be another British option for the team. Ian Stannard (3rd from front) rides in the Gent-Wevelgem one-day cycling race on March 29 . Injuries to classics specialists Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory) and Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) - although the latter may return in time for Paris-Roubaix - add to the impression that Team Sky's best chance may be now. 'Without Cancellara, without Boonen, it's going to be a more open race,' said Kelly, who will commentate on both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix for Eurosport. 'There's going to be eight-10 guys saying they can win and Sky have three of them. Geraint is certainly in there, Stannard is maybe a little bit under his best after his crash (in the first Monument, Milan-San Remo on March 22) but can come back, and then of course there is Wiggins.' Of the three, Wiggins is yet to show the sort of form this season which suggests he can win Paris-Roubaix, but Kelly is not counting the 2012 Tour de France winner out, saying a Monument win to add to his Tour and world time trial success would elevate Wiggins to 'another level'. 'If you look at the way he's performing at the moment, for me, it's not as good as

Summary: Team Sky have never won one of cycling's five Monument races . The Tour of Flanders takes place next weekend with Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas contenders fro Team Sky . Sean Kelly has backed them to finally break their duck .


Ed Miliband has overtaken David Cameron as the most popular political leader for the first time. In a shock new poll that will send shockwaves through Downing Street, the Labour leader has jumped ahead of the Prime Minister in personal approval ratings. The Labour Party has also taken a commanding four point lead over the Tories with just 28 days until polling day, according to the pollsters Survation. Labour leader Ed Miliband has jumped ahead of the Prime Minister in personal approval ratings, a Survation poll has revealed . The revelation comes in the wake of a furious political row over the Labour leader’s personal character – after the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Mr Miliband could stab Britain in the back like he did to his brother. Mr Miliband responded by accusing the Tories of dragging the election campaign ‘into the gutter’. The Tories have pinned much of their election hopes on turning the campaign into a straight choice between Mr Cameron and the Labour leader. But the campaign could backfire if Mr Miliband overtakes the Prime Minister in the polls. According to tonight’s Survation poll for the Daily Mirror, with less than a month until the general election, Labour has opened up a four-point gap over the Tories. Labour is up 2 points on 35, the Conservatives down one to 31. Nigel Farage’s Ukip, meanwhile, are down three to 15 with the Lib Dems still struggling on just 9 per cent. The SNP and the Greens are on 4 per cent each. It is the biggest Labour lead in a Survation poll since February and was conducted after the party announced plans to scrap a ‘tax loophole’ used by wealthy ‘non doms’ to lower their tax bills. With less than a month until the general election, Labour has opened up a four-point gap over the Tories. The Tories have pinned much of their election hopes on turning the campaign into a straight choice between Mr Cameron and the Labour leader . According to tonight’s poll, nearly seven out of ten voters back Mr Miliband’s proposal to scrap the non dom tax status. Four out of 10 voters ‘strongly’ support the move – with just 14 per cent opposed. The poll surveyed 1,111 people on Wednesday and Thursday. Miliband announced on Wednesday that he wanted to scrap tax rules that allow wealthy individuals to legally reduce the amount of tax they pay on money earned overseas. The Survation poll found 59 percent of respondents supported the idea. A separate poll, by Yougov for The Sun newspaper on Wednesday, gave Labour a one percentage point lead over the Conservatives.

Summary: Miliband overtakes David Cameron as the most popular political leader . It is the first time that Labour leader has been ahead in approval ratings . Labour Party has also taken a commanding four point lead over the Tories .


The new Southpaw trailer last month featured Jake Gyllenhaal showing off an extremely toned torso. But according to his trainer, former professional boxer Terry Claybon, it took a huge amount of work to get the 34-year-old actor ripped for the shoot, including six months of training before filming even started. He also worked out for an incredible six hours per day, including 2,000 sit ups, 1,000 each morning and the same at night. Of course, Jake had to work even harder to get in shape because he had just dropped approximately 30lbs to play freelance crime reporter Lou, who stumbles upon the dangerous underworld of Los Angeles in Nightcrawler. Scroll down for video . Blood, sweat and tears: According to his trainer, it took a huge amount of work to get Jake Gyllenhaal ripped for Southpaw, including six months of training before filming started, 2,000 sit ups and six hours of training each day . Much thinner: The 34-year-old lost 30 pounds for 2014 thriller Nightcrawler and had to put that weight back on plus 15lbs of muscle . He not only returned to his normal weight - but he then put on another 15 pounds of pure muscle to play the desperate fighter Billy Hope. His trainer Claybon told Yahoo: 'Gradually we built up, day-by-day, to 2,000. It takes time to do that', and revealed that his exercise regime included, 'three hours of boxing in the morning and three hours of strengthening, conditioning, and cardio at night.' Speaking about his weight loss for Nightcrawler, Jake told Us Weekly: 'I knew that [Lou] was literally and figuratively hungry, [so I got into the] mode where I was always a bit hungry. Beaten: The trailer shows a muscular Gyllenhaal bloodied and bruised by an opponent in the boxing ring . Bulking up: Jake poses here with his trainers, including former boxer Terry Claybon (second from right), who was responsible for whipping the once-scrawny actor into shape . Gyllenhaal also attended several boxing matches to watch how real fighters move in the ring . 'It's not different than getting into character for anything. It's more about believing where you are and being present where you are. Who's to say what the process is? I have a strange one … but I love what I do.' Claybon explained to Yahoo that Jake put back on the weight he had lost before gaining an extra 15 pounds of muscle for Southpaw. Health experts told the Daily Telegraph that Gyllenhaal likely went on a high-protein diet, that likely included protein powder. He likely had to consume 130 grams of protein - two and a half times the daily recommended intake. Health experts also told the Telegraph that such drastic body changes could cause long-term damage to his body. The huge swing in Gyllenhaal's physique recalls other drastic changes actors have made in their bodies. Among the most recent and most notable is Matthew McConaughey's turn from Magic Mike hunk to Dallas Buyers Club AIDS patient. Meanwhile, in Southpaw, Jake plays Billy Hope, a professional boxer who must

Summary: Gyllenhaal lost 30lbs for thriller Nightcrawler then gained it all back - and put on 15 more pounds of pure muscle in six months . Went to the gym twice a day for six hours . Regime included 2,000 situps, three hours of boxing and three hours of cardio and weight training . Mimics great Hollywood physique changes like Matthew McConaughey going from Magic Mike hunk to Dallas Buyers Club AIDS patient .


Nick Clegg tonight vowed to block the Tories imposing deep welfare cuts as the price of any future Coalition deal. The Deputy Prime Minister said he would not allow the Lib Dems to prop David Cameron up in power if he insisted on pushing ahead with his plan to slash £12billion from the benefits bill. In an interview on the BBC, Mr Clegg also suggested he would veto a new deal unless the Tories agreed new taxes on the rich. But the Deputy Prime Minister defended his record in government with Mr Cameron. Asked if he was proud of his record in power, Mr Clegg said: 'Hell yes.' Scroll down for video . The Deputy Prime Minister said he would not allow the Lib Dems to prop up David Cameron in power if he insisted on pushing ahead with his plan to slash £12billion from the benefits bill . The Lib Dem leader, meanwhile, accused the Tories of ‘lashing out’ at Labour because they knew they could not win the election. Mr Clegg's remarks come after the Defence Secretary Michael Fallon launched an extraordinary attack on Ed Miliband last week. Mr Fallon said the Labour leader had stabbed his brother in the back to win the leadership and was now 'willing to stab the United Kingdom in the back to become prime minister' by giving up the Trident missile system to secure the support of the SNP. Mr Clegg’s insistence that he will not go into Coalition with the Tories if they insist on such deep welfare cuts increases the possibility that the Lib Dems could strike a deal with Labour after the election. However, the Deputy Prime Minister said he would also veto a deal with Mr Miliband if Labour did not set out in more detail how they would slash the deficit. He said: ‘I wouldn’t accept £12billion of welfare cuts. In exactly the same way that I could never countenance recommending to the Liberal Democrats entering into a coalition with the Labour Party that isn’t serious about balancing the books rather than the specious stuff they’ve come up with today. 'Equally I would not recommend to the Lib Dems that we go into coalition with the Conservatives if they insist on a plan which is a marked departure from what we’ve done in this coalition. ‘They’re asking for £12billion over two years. We’ve made £20billion over five. They want to ask the poorest to make additional sacrifices whilst not asking the richest to pay an additional penny through the tax system to balance the books.’ In an interview on the BBC tonight, Mr Clegg said the price of another Coalition would be new taxes on the rich and a scaling back of the Prime Minister’s planned welfare cuts . Asked by host Evan Davis if he felt ‘betrayed’ by the Prime Minister at any stage since 2010, he pointed to the AV referendum. He said: ‘It was shoddy it was unnecessary I didn’t think they needed to win the argument by being quite so personal. I wish the referendum

Summary: Deputy PM said he would block a new Coalition deal over welfare cuts . He pledged to force David Cameron to impose new taxes on the wealthy . The Liberal Democrats have called for £3bn of new welfare savings . Coalition has slashed £20bn off the benefits bill in five years since 2010 . Mr Clegg said Tories now 'lashing out' because they know they are losing . Asked if he was proud of his record in power, he said: 'Hell yes'


Thousands of Newcastle United supporters stayed away from Sunday’s home match against Spurs in protest at Mike Ashley’s running of the club. Protest group AshleyOut.com had urged fans to boycott the game and several hundred gathered outside of St James’ Park before kick-off. There they called for billionaire Ashley to quit the club and unfurled a banner, ‘NUFC – Balance Sheet Champions – 2008-2014.' Newcastle United fans boycotting the Tottenham Hotspur match hold a banner criticising owner Mike Ashley . Newcastle United's fans took to the street and refused to enter the stadium in protest of Mike Ashley . Ashleyout.com are behind the protest and produced banners and leaflets around the city . Supporters are upset at what they see as a lack of investment and ambition from the club, who earlier this month returned record profits of £18.7million and revealed they had a further £34m in a bank account. A leaflet from AshleyOut.com read: ‘Time to speak up. An empty St James’ Park is louder than 52, 387 voices. A demonstration of unity and strength to show the world that we want a club to be proud of once again’. Meanwhile, an aeroplane – hired by Sunderland supporters – passed above the stadium during the first half carrying the banner “5 in a row – 5underland”, referencing their fifth successive Tyne-Wear derby victory earlier this month. St. James' Park was a lot quieter than usual but some fans did choose to support their side . One fan covers his face with an 'Ashley Out' protest sign in the stands at St James' Park on Sunday . A van drove round the stadium during the build-up with a billboard attached to the back and side . The protests didn't just happen outside the stadium but some fans who attended brought their own posters . Sunderland fans rented a plane and banner to fly over St. James' Park to boast about their derby wins .

Summary: Thousands of Newcastle fans chose to boycott the Tottenham game . Protests took place outside the stadium with posters and banners . The supporters are angry at Mike Ashley's way of running the club . Sunderland fans fly a banner to mock Newcastle after the recent derby . CLICK HERE for all the latest Newcastle news .


A former mob enforcer in Rhode Island with ties to late New England crime boss Raymond L.S. Patriarca has died in a federal prison in North Carolina. Gerard T. 'The Frenchman' Ouimette was 75. The Federal Bureau of Prison's website reported that Ouimette, who had lived in Fall River, Massachusetts, died Sunday. Ouimette, suspected of having a role in up to eight murders, 'ran' the federal prison in North Carolina in the 1970s and even had booze, drugs and lobster dinner smuggled in on a weekly basis, according to a Rhode Island State Police report. His nephew, Kevin Ouimette Lynch, tells the Providence Journal that his uncle was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and died in his sleep at a prison in Butner, North Carolina. Ouimette was reportedly in control of a gangster network responsible for gambling, loansharking, extortion, and murder, among other crimes . Ouimette passed away in this medium security facility after being diagnosed with lung cancer . In 1996, Ouimette was convicted of extortion and became the first criminal in New England sentenced to life in prison under the federal 'three strikes and you're out' provision for violent offenders. Ouimette had more than 10 convictions during his criminal career, including one for punching an FBI agent. The Providence Journal reports that Ouimette spent a total of 46 years behind bars. A 1979 FBI document regarding his background paints the picture of man in control of a massive underworld network. 'Subject OUIMETTE controls a large group of criminals known as the OUIMETTE faction, whose criminal activities include gambling, loansharking, extortion and property violations such as major hijackings, robberies and burglaries,' the report states. Ouimette had close ties to crime boss Raymond Patriarca, seen here leaving a federal building in Boston on June 27, 1967. 'Although not Italian, OUIMETTE enjoys the same stature as lieutenants under RAYMOND L.S. PATRIARCA, who controls organized crime (OC) in the Boston and New England area.' The document went on to call Ouimette responsible for 'seven of eight gangland-style murders.' He was never convicted of any homicides, however. Ouimette was known to his associates as 'The Frenchman.' In his 2012 memoir, 'What Price Providence,' the enforcer blamed the police for the nickname. ''The Frenchman' is the name that Rhode Island police attached to me in 1969 since I am proud of my French descent, an anomaly in that neighborhood,' he wrote. 'Due to ensuing notoriety, the name stuck.' In the introduction to that back, he wrote that he knew he would die in prison. 'There is a saying that is appropriate to prison life: 'If you sit by the river long enough, you will eventually see all your enemies float by,'' he wrote. 'Bottom line is, if you can survive, you're ahead of the game, not by much, but by some. The reason is, there is no room for error when you are playing the La Costra Nostra's major leagues; one mistake can end your life, and often does.' The gangland enforcer's influence was not diminished behind bars, and state police said he even became the

Summary: Gerard T. Ouimette, 75, known as 'The Frenchman,' died in medium security federal pen in his sleep . Former mob enforcer had ties to New England crime boss Raymond L.S. Patriarca and was suspected of a role in as many as eight murders . Even behind bars, police say Ouimette kept his influence - accepting a weekly delivery of as much as $600 worth of booze and food to his cell .


A man who spent nearly 30 years on Alabama's death row was freed Friday after a decades-long fight to prove his innocence. According to the Birmingham News, as he walked free, he declared: 'The sun do shine!' Anthony Ray Hinton, 58, was released in the morning from the Jefferson County Jail in Birmingham. He hugged tearful family members as he walked out and was embraced by his sister, Darlene Gardner. His sister sobbed as she hugged her brother: 'Thank you Lord, thank you Jesus.' Scroll down for video . Freedom: Anthony Ray Hinton (center) walked free from the Jefferson County Jail in Alabama on Friday morning after 30 years on death row . Hinton had to wipe away a tear as he spoke outside the jail following his release from prison after 30 years . Hinton says he should not have had to wait 30 years for investigators to test the gun that was seized from his home and determine he could not be linked to the crime . Good morning. The sun do shine. Thirty years ago, the prosecution seemed deemed to take my life from me. They just didn't take me from my family and friends. They had every intention of executing me for something I didn't do. But for all of you that's snapping the cameras, I want you to know there is a God. He sits high but He looks low. He will destroy but yet He will defend and He defends me. And I just want to thank Him. I'm not ashamed to let you know that He sent me not just a lawyer, but the best lawyers. And I couldn't have made it without them. And I want to say to the victims' family, I will continue to pray for you as I have for 30 years. A miscarriage of justice, not only to me, but the victims' family. For all of us that say we believe in justice, this is the case to start showing. Because I shouldn't sit on death row for 30 years. All they had to do was test the gun. But when you think you high and mighty and you above the law, you don't have to answer to nobody. But I've got news for you. Everybody that played a part in sending me to death row, you will answer to God . Hinton was freed after prosecutors admitted earlier this week that they couldn't find evidence that a gun found at his home fired the bullets used in two brutal 1985 murders. 'I shouldn't have sat on death row for 30 years,' Hinton told reporters. 'All they had to do was test the gun,' he said. Hinton had strong words about the prosecutors and jury as he spoke to the crowd. 'I want you to know there is a God. He sits high but he looks low. He will destroy but yet he will defend and he defended me,' Hinton told the gathered. 'I shouldn't have sat on death row 30 years. All they had to do was test the

Summary: Ray Hinton was convicted of two brutal 1985 killings based on a gun that was found at his house . The US Supreme Court granted him a new trial because the gun was never definitively matched to the bullets found at the crime scenes . This week, prosecutors announced that they could not find evidence that the gun Hinton had matched the bullets at the scene. 'I shouldn't have sat on death row for 30 years. All they had to do was test the gun,' he said Friday . Family of one of the murdered men issued reminder that Hinton has not been found 'innocent'


Gary Field, pictured, was seen at a Ukip event in South Thanet awaiting the arrival of Nigel Farage . Nigel Farage was at the centre of fresh controversy last night after National Front members turned up to campaign for him in the South Thanet constituency. The row started after a group of far-Right supporters calling themselves the East Kent English Patriots supported Mr Farage at an event in Broadstairs on Friday evening. They were led by Gary Field, a former regional organiser for the English Defence League, and enjoyed the protection of Ukip’s security teams, which encircled the Broadstairs Pavilion. Mr Field, who has a criminal record for assault, drank beers behind the cordon with fellow members of his group and gestured to onlookers as a crowd waited for Mr Farage’s arrival. Yesterday, Mr Farage’s Labour opponent in South Thanet, Will Scobie, claimed a group of his campaigners had been attacked by National Front members chanting for Ukip in Broadstairs late on Friday. When Mr Farage realised that Mr Field and his supporters had been seen by this newspaper on Friday evening, he moved quickly to disown them, saying: ‘Members of an extremist group today arrived at a Ukip public meeting at the same time as a Mail on Sunday camera arrives.’ Mr Farage’s comments triggered a war of words with the patriots group, which immediately posted a message saying: ‘We went to Ukip meeting with members of Kent NF and after the meeting Nigel Farage went on Twitter saying we have far right extremists here... the question is nig, do you want our vote or not?’ An anti-Ukip campaigner, Bunny La Roche, claims she was followed into a cafe by Mr Field earlier this month after she turned up to protest at a Ukip rally in Margate on April 11. She has reported him to police for alleged assault after he sprayed Lynx deodorant in her face. Shortly after the incident, Mr Field posted offensive messages about Mr Scobie, writing: ‘Will scobie you are a liebour [sic] paedo supporting ponse you won’t beat ukip in south thanet you dirty little scummy traitor.’ He added: ‘I have the lynx effect on lefties.’ Gary Field, in the white hat, said he was opposed to the 'stand up to Ukip group' and the extreme left . Mr Field is a former regional organiser of the EDL and was waiting for Ukip leader Nigel Farage, pictured . Mr Field was tagged in 2013 for breaching a community service order after being found guilty of assault. Mr Field said yesterday: ‘I am against Labour and oppose the stand-up to Ukip group. I did spray her [Bunny] with deodorant. It was just banter. ‘She and her people are on the extreme Left. I am not a member of any political party and I don’t intimidate people.’ A Ukip spokesman said: ‘We don’t know who Gary Field is, and therefore we have no responsibility for the actions he takes or the events that he attends. We have made our stance on extremist groups clear. We have no truck

Summary: Former EDL organiser Gary Field was spotted at a Ukip event in Kent . Mr Field was tagged after he was convicted in 2013 for an assault . One Labour canvasser said that Mr Field sprayed her with deodorant . Mr Field said he did spray her but claimed the incident was just 'banter'


A Ukip MEP has praised Russian president Vladimir Putin as a ‘very strong leader’ who has ‘put Russia first’. Diane James, Ukip’s Justice Spokesman, also applauded Mr Putin's nationalist credentials and argued he was forced into invading Ukraine because of the European Union. Ukip leader Nigel Farage sparked a row last year when he hailed Russian President as a ‘brilliant operator'. Scroll down for video . Praising Putin: Diane James, Ukip's Justice Spokesperson applauded Russian President Vladimir Putin's nationalist credentials . Taking part in a women leaders' debate on LBC radio, Mrs James - who is considered a potential successor of Nigel Farage - said: ‘Nigel went on record saying if you provoke the Russian bear you get a reaction. ‘I admire him from the point of view that he’s standing up for his country. He is very nationalist. ‘He is a very strong leader. He is putting Russia first, and he has issues with the way the EU encouraged a change of government in the Ukraine which he felt put at risk a Russian population in that country,' she said. Mrs James was the Ukip candidate in the Eastleigh by-election and currently represents the south east of England in the European Parliament. Ukip leader Nigel Farage caused controversy in March 2014 after he admitted he admired Putin as a ‘brilliant operator’ for his stance on the Syrian conflict. However, unlike Mrs James, he clarified his view on Putin by adding: ‘Not that I approve of him politically. How many journalists in jail now?’ His comments followed the annexation of Crimea, but before the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine and the shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, which is widely believed to have been carried out by Russian-supported separatists. Mrs James told presenter Iain Dale (far left) that she admires Putin because he stands up for his country . Ukip smiles: Diane James is widely considered to be Nigel Farage's successor as the leader of Ukip . Mrs James' comments came as Ukip’s election campaign chief admitted the party sometimes resembles a ‘rugby club on tour’ with members who can be ‘boorish’ and ‘chauvinistic’. Patrick O’Flynn, who is also the party’s economics spokesman, said Ukip needs to ‘work harder’ as it is ‘lagging’ behind with female voters. As he launched the party’s ‘policies for women’ alongside the Ukip deputy chairman Suzanne Evans and Mrs James, Mr O’Flynn was forced to defend its ‘blokeish’ image under Nigel Farage. Mrs James' comments come as Ukip's campaign chief Patrick O'Flynn said the party resembled a 'rugby club on tour' He said: ‘Nigel has said sometimes Ukip has resembled a rugby club on tour. I think that's becoming less and less true and indeed the two top rank female politicians sitting alongside me today are two of the main reasons for that. ‘But we need to work harder and there still are occasions where people in the party, men in the party, who should know better, have occasionally resorted to boorishness or chauvinism. When that happens I make sure I express my own displeasure. ‘We’re a

Summary: Diane James described her admiration for Putin during radio debate . Party's justice spokesman Russian President is a 'very strong leader' Comments came as campaign chief says party members are 'chauvinistic'


Reading manager Steve Clarke and his players will rally round goalkeeper Adam Federici to help him get over his Wembley gaffe. The Australian blew his side’s chances of beating Arsenal in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final by spilling Alexis Sanchez’s shot into his own net in extra-time. Federici was inconsolable after the match and Clarke revealed: ‘I tried to hug him but he was very, very disappointed. He just wanted to get inside and have his sad moment by himself. You have to respect that. Alexis Sanchez's low shot squirmed agonisingly through the legs of Adam Federici in extra time . It was a routine shot from Sanchez but the Reading stopper failed to collect it properly in his grasp . The ball rolled through his legs and slowly towards the goal line in the 106th minute of the game . Federici tries desperately to stop the ball going over the line after it rolled through his legs and out of his grasp . ‘When he comes into training we’ll have a little chat but he’ll be fine. He’s a professional.’ The incident was reminiscent of Robert Green’s error in England’s 2010 World Cup opener against the USA, when Clint Dempsey’s strike got through him. Reading midfielder Jem Karacan added of Federici: ‘He’s one of the best goalkeepers around and they all make mistakes. ‘The saves he made earlier were top-class and he was probably man of the match up to that point. Nobody will blame him.’ Federici lies slumped on the ground as the impact of his error hits him in the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal . The Reading goalkeeper left the field in tears as manager Steve Clarke tries to console him . Federici's opposite number, Wojciech Szczesny (left) of Arsenal comforts his fellow goalkeeper .

Summary: Reading lost 2-1 to Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday . Royals No 1 Adam Federici made a horror mistake for second goal . Manager Steve Clarke insists his players will rally around the Australian .


Jack Nicklaus believes it is time for the 'young guys to take over' after Jordan Spieth's record-breaking Masters victory on Sunday. Nicklaus was hugely impressed by Spieth's four-shot win over Justin Rose and Phil Mickelson, which saw him set 36 and 54-hole scoring records, equal the 72-hole record set by Tiger Woods in 1997 and also become the first player ever to reach 19 under par at Augusta. The 21-year-old, who was second last year, moved from fourth in the world rankings to second behind Rory McIlroy as a result and that means the world's top two players have a combined age of 46. In comparison, Mickelson is 44 and Tiger Woods 39. Jordan Spieth (left) sent a number of Augusta records tumbling on his way to winning The Masters . The 21-year-old Spieth equalled Tiger Woods' 72-hole record and became the first man to get to 19-under par . Jack Nicklaus (right) lauded Spieth, and heralded a new golfing era led by him and Rory McIlroy . McIlroy and Spieth have a combined age of 46, where as Phil Mickelson (left) is 44 and Tiger Woods 39 . 'That was an incredible performance,' six-time Masters champion Nicklaus said in a statement. 'It was so apparent that he learned down the stretch last year, but you have to remember he was only 20 at the time. 'Now he's a grizzled veteran at 21 years old - just 21. Jordan is so beyond his years. I like everything about the young man. He's polite. He's humble. He handles himself so well, on and off the golf course. And he's obviously a wonderful player and now a Masters champion. I think Jordan Spieth is a great person - just as I think Rory McIlroy is - to carry the mantle for the game of golf. 'I am someone who likes the new generations. I always have. I think it energises the game of golf. We had Arnold's (Palmer) generation, then it came to my generation, then Tom Watson came along and right on down the line to Tiger and Rory. 'And now we have Jordan Spieth. There are some older players who have been terrific for a long time, but actually this might be time for the young guys to take over.' Spieth's mentor and fellow Texan Ben Crenshaw also paid tribute to the new champion after watching the final round from his home in Austin. 'I don't know what it is, but he just has this maturity,' Crenshaw, who missed the cut in his 44th and final consecutive Masters appearance last week, told the PGA Tour website. 'He's got an awareness of where's he going. He's got a plan. Nicklaus believes that the duo of Spieth (left) and McIlroy 'energise' the game of golf . McIlroy came fourth in The Masters, falling short in an attempt to seal a career grand slam before he turns 26 . Ben Crenshaw, Spieth's mentor, praised the maturity he displayed to become the new Masters champion . Greg Norman took to Twitter to praise Spieth and also

Summary: Jordan Spieth sent several records tumbling on his way to Augusta glory . Jack Nicklaus praised the 21-year-old's 'incredible performance' He backed Spieth and Rory McIlroy to 'carry the mantle' for golf . Meet golf's brightest young star: Jordan Spieth . READ: Why it won't be too long until McIlroy wins the Masters .


Rangers boss Stuart McCall ordered his side to end their stuttering away form at Dumbarton on Saturday to ramp up the pressure on play-off rivals Hibs. The Ibrox boss watched his side drop two points against bottom side Livingston in West Lothian but insisted the 1-1 draw — with Myles Hippolyte and Marius Zaliukas trading goals — could end up being crucial in the quest to finish second. Rangers have only won once in their last five away matches and McCall insists nothing less than a victory will do at the Bet Butler Stadium this weekend as his side aim to go four clear in second while Hibs face Falkirk in the Scottish Cup semi finals. Stuart McCall wants his side to put their away-day blues behind them at Dumbarton on Saturday . ‘We could be four ahead on Saturday night so that might be a very important point for us tonight,’ said McCall on a night when Rangers fans let off a series of fireworks in the Energy Assets Arena. ‘It’s still in our hands — but we have got to go and win on Saturday! ‘Of course I’m disappointed not to win the game. We didn’t deserve any more but this wasn’t a case of us blowing hot and cold. We’ve no divine right to come here and win. ‘I said before the game this would be a tough place to come. OK, we didn’t play as fluently as we would have liked but Livvy were fighting for their lives. They are a physical side and Hibs and Queen of the South have still to come here. Rangers dropped two points at Championship bottom side Livingston in their bid for promotion . Myles Hippolyte gave Livingston the lead early in the second half and threatened to upset Rangers . ‘It was a game that panned out the way I expected on a tight park, dry and bumpy. It was a fair result. You can’t stop a free kick like that (by Hippolyte).’ Meanwhile, Mark Burchill was left ruing a first half ‘goal’ by Hippolyte that was chalked off after a supposed foul by Jordan White on Cammy Bell. But the Livvy boss was also left lamenting his team’s dire defending 120 seconds after taking the lead through Hippolyte’s fine freekick. ‘I think everyone here knows it should have been a goal by Myles in the first half,’ he sighed. Marius Zaliukas equalised a couple of minutes later for Rangers at the Energy Assets Arena . ‘I’m just really disappointed. It was a terrible goal for us to lose. If you go ahead in a match you really want to do better than that. When you’ve taken the lead that’s your most vulnerable time as a team. And I just feel if we had weathered that then Rangers would have run out of ideas. ‘It was not the best we have played but I felt we more than matched Rangers tonight. I watched them on Sunday against Raith and I thought we could get three points from them and I’m disappointed

Summary: Rangers held to a 1-1 draw by bottom side Livingston on Wednesday . The draw means Rangers have won just one of last five away matches . The point was still enough for Rangers to move second above Hibs . Rangers face Dumbarton away from home on Saturday .


The Taliban annual 'spring offensive' began today in Afghanistan with the jihadi group claiming responsibility for 108 attacks in the opening five hours. A US air base near Kabul and military outposts in Nuristan were targeted today as the militants continue to pursue territory in north east Afghanistan. According to the official spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, over 80 per cent of Afghanistan is currently 'controlled' by the Taliban. Whilst their figures are exaggerated, the Taliban's new offensive is set to the start of fresh violence in the troubled country. Taliban militants opened the offensive today with a failed rocket attack on a US base in Bagram air base, situated close to the Afghan capital city of Kabul. Taliban militants opened the offensive today with a failed rocket attack on a US base in Bagram air base, situated close to the Afghan capital city of Kabul. The rocket landed harmlessly in base and despite the Taliban claims that they had 'killed and wounded hundreds of Americans', no casualties have been reported. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were also reportedly detonated in Kunar and Khost province. Casualty numbers remain unconfirmed but the attacks symbolize a worrying indicator of the broad areas being targeted by the Taliban. The Taliban announced the launch of Operation Azm, meaning 'determination', on Wednesday, revealing fresh plans to target government buildings and Afghan security forces. The Taliban have been waging an jihadi insurgency since they were forced out of power in late 2001. With the emergence of ISIS, the Taliban are already facing a struggle for power in Afghanistan. The extremists want to turn Afghanistan into an Islamic Emirate, governed by strict sharia law. In December, photos emerged of a robber being publicly executed by Taliban fighters with machine guns. The Taliban announced the launch of Operation Azm, meaning 'determination', on Wednesday, revealing fresh plans to target government buildings and Afghan security forces in what is expected to be the bloodiest fighting season in a decade. With NATO forces pulling back from the frontlines, concerns remain whether trained Afghan forces will be able to consistently repel the expected barrage of Taliban attacks. 'The Islamic Emirate is going to launch the spring operations under the inspirational name of 'Azm' (Determination) at 5 am on 24th April 2015,' the Taliban said in a statement on Wednesday, using their official name. 'The main targets of these operations... will be the foreign occupiers, especially their permanent military bases... officials of the stooge regime, their military constellations, especially their intelligence, interior ministry and defence ministry officials.' Former Afghan Taliban fighters are seen holding weapons before they hand them over, as part of a government peace and reconciliation initiative, at a ceremony in Jalalabad recently. NATO's combat mission formally ended in December but a small follow-up foreign force has stayed on to train and support local security personnel. US President Barack Obama last month backpedaled on plans to shrink the US force in Afghanistan this year by nearly half, agreeing to keep the current level of 9,800 US troops until the end of 2015. The

Summary: Taliban spokesman claims 80 per cent of Afghanistan is 'controlled by the Taliban . US Bagram Air Base was hit by a rocket but no casualties have been reported . Afghan security forces are struggling to cope with the new offensive across Afghanistan .