Sport - Relegation and Cup Glory?

Against all odds, Portsmouth football club have proved themselves to be one of the most determined and resilient teams in football.

The club is going through the most difficult time in their long history. This season their relegation from the Premier league was confirmed in early April. Their debt his risen to £138,000 million and still is increasing. Even some members of their small squad have been playing without wages.

Now, at least and at last, the fans have something to cheer about. Saturday 15th May, they play in the FA Cup Final V Chelsea at Wembley.

Yesterday, defender Tal Ben Haim hit out at the owners and accused them of deceiving the club's supporters and players.

"I am sure the financial situation affected the players and if it had been handled correctly we would be staying in this league," he said. "At least we have a fantastic thing to look forward to, the FA Cup final which is the biggest game of the season for us, " he added.

Players and supporters also have another concern. Manager Avram Grant is likely to leave the club in the summer. It has been he who has enabled the team to keep performing well, despite the pressures off the field.

The match kicks-off at 3pm tomorrow, 15th May. Live on BBC1

To see the latest odds click here.

Finance - Graduates may pay higher interest rates

Graduates need to pay larger interest rates on their students loans to help avoid financial crisis, a report says.

Commissioned by the Russell Group the report shows that several top universities face a £1,1 billion black-hole in their finances. That deficit is set to occur in the next 2 years.



Second year Canterbury Christchurch student Ben Jones Studying English thinks this is unfair. Ben said,"It doesn't seem right universities can start changing financial terms when many of us have worked to a set plan."

This report will concern many students.

The Russell Group represents the 20 most research-intensive universities in the UK. It will make recommendations to the government later this year.


The group have also suggested lowering the threshold amount that students can start paying back loans. It currently stands at earnings above £15,000.

Environment - 'Drop in the ocean' now seen from space

Yesterday, May 13th, BP boss, Tony Hayward sparked outrage. The Chief Executive of the oil giant played down the extent of the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.


Mr Hayward effectivly implied that the spill was no more than a drop in the ocean. He said "The volume of oil and dispersant we are putting into it is tiny in relation to the total water volume.’


The same day NASA released shocking photographs showing the extent of the spill, which can now be seen from space.

This picture shows the extent of the spill. More can be found by clicking here.

Greenpeace and many others have reacted angrily to Mr Hayward's comments are feel BP are not capable of fixing the problem. While Mexico and America face an environmental crisis, BP are facing financial turmoil.

The clean-up costs are suggested to be reaching $33 million a day. The oil firm have also admitted that it faces up to 100 lawsuits and 6,700 compensation claims.

The rig, operated by Transocean sank three weeks ago, 11 lives were lost. Since then oil continues to spill out at the rate of 5,000 barrels a day.

Odd news - Fan tasered after running onto pitch

A baseball fan was tasered by secruity after running onto the field of play.

The over-excited 17-year-old male jumped over a fence and made his way to the playing area. It happened in the final stages of an American major league baseball game in Philadelphia, May 3rd.

The young fan got more than me bargained after invading the pitch.

The Philadelphia police commissioner supported the officers actions. But security said last week that they want to talk about "whether or not such force is necessary for future trespassers."

Fans were quick to record the action which can be seen below. It's safe to say he won't be attempting it again.

Odd news - Man sets new vertical running record

Vertical running is becoming popular in Europe

Running a hundred metre sprint isn't a new achievement. But running that distance down the side of a skyscraper is fairly extraordinary.

Swedish Adventurer, Tony Berglund was attached to an abseiling harness and ran down the building. Tony took over a second off the previous vertical running world record of 36.25 seconds when he hurtled down a skyscraper on May 12th in Vasteras, Sweden.



For the stunt to work the building had to be extended with the addition of a 20 metre framed structure making it the third highest skyscraper in Sweden on that day.



Tony said, "This is a once in a lifetime achievement."

Music - Stone Roses back in the Charts

The Stone Roses' self-titled debut album has re-entered the UK album charts, 21 years after it's initial release.

The band, which officially split up back in 1996, still have a dedicated following. Many had hoped for a reunion last year for the 20th anniversary of the iconic album. But lead singer Ian Brown and Guitarist John Squire still refuse to work together.

The album is considered by many to be the finest debut album ever made. In 2006, writers of NME declared that it was the greatest British album of all time.

Since the band separated, vocalist Ian Brown has had a successful solo career. Guitarist John Squire is now an accomplished artist. Bassist Mani went on to perform with Primal Scream. And drummer Reni, who knows? Maybe he is hiding under his hat.

The footage below shows the Roses at their peak in 1989, performing 'Waterfall' a hit single from the album.

Odd news -Generous Brits

I know I said I would get the next round in but this is ridiculous...!

The average Brit will spend £39, 480 in a lifetime buying drinks for friends according to researchers.

This means as a nation Britian spends £30 billion each year buying rounds for mates. Along with this the average Brit will socialise in clubs and pubs up to three times a month.

A spokesperson for OnePoll, who conducted the study, said; "Buying rounds is a way of in Britain and these results show us to be a very generous nation."

The survey also found that seventy per cent of people were annoyed when a friend ordered expensive drinks after their round was out of the way! A sneaky trick many will admit too.

OnePoll has released several results looking at the British public recently. Last week it was announced that One in Five parents regret the name they gave their child.

Links

http://www.onepoll.com/press/