Since New York City's foundation in the early 17th century, the lower tip of Manhattan has been at the heart of metropolitan life - despite its vulnerability to flooding from the harbour. Two possible links between global warming and the damage wrought by Sandy are the raised sea levels which make it easier for the coast to flood, and warm air in the Atlantic Ocean increasing the fierceness of the storm.

But the probability is unlikely despite the devastating effect superstorm Sandy had on 60 million people across the north-east, or one-sixth of the population.

Though only 35 weeks pregnant, Christine Schleppy, 34, began having contractions at her home in Skillman, New Jersey just residents were warned to seek shelter and stay indoors.

The public hospital lost power when Hurricane Sandy hit on Monday and electricity was spotty as the facility relied on generators, with members of the Army National Guard hiking up to the hospital's roof with fuel throughout the week to power the generators.

Disgraced former International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn has been spotted canoodling with his new girlfriend at the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. Myriam Aouffir, 43, is a high-profile press officer for French television. She has already seen with her new boyfriend on the Mediterranean island of Corsica but now the couple have been pictured lapping up the sun in the holy city.

Boasting spectacular views over the city, the duplex at 88 Central Park is where the star lived for more than half a century and died this July, aged 95. Dan Dunning, whose father was Holm's third husband, told the New York Times: 'She loved it because of the view of the park and the way she felt involvement with the seasons, just by looking through her windows.

Greedy landlords and hotel owners looking to make a quick buck from the thousands without power or displaced by Hurricane Sandy were exploiting people's desperation by demanding outrageous prices for a shelter. As of yesterday morning Craigslist was full of posts for costly rooms, with one ad promising people the luxury of a single bedroom apartment with electricity for a 'mere' $700 per night.

John Filipowicz, 51, and his son John, 20, who died side-by-side as the fierce floodwaters of Superstorm Sandy rushed into their home, were buried together on Monday in an emotional funeral.

The school run can be a real balancing act for these children. These determined school pupils balance on a high wire 30-feet above a river from Batu Busuk village in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Raulie Wayne Casteel, 43, was arrested at his home in suburban Detroit, Michigan. He said said President Obama should be arrested by the military and 'marched out of the White House in handcuffs.'

A Filipino man gets himself a little tied up as he plays with Albino Burmese Pythons, some of the largest pythons in the world.

The law breaking men were caught at a rented rest house in Al-Farouq area of Buraidah and accused of holding a party with women who were unrelated.

Cardinal Pell released a statement denying he tried to bribe the nephew of pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale when he told him on the phone in 1993 that he was abused as a child by his uncle.

Germans and Austrians will be among the first allowed back to the holiday hot spot before Britons, as hoteliers enter into discussions with German tourist companies.

JEFF POWELL: It defies belief that now, 30 years later, relatives of the 96 victims are still bereft of the closure which might apply some spreading of balm upon their grief.

JEFF POWELL: Anthony Joshua needed to apply a red-hot poker to his entire team as well as re-energise himself if he was to regain his world heavyweight titles in the rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

COMMENT - JEFF POWELL: After more than 130 seasons of playing through rain, snow, ice and mud, our most over-paid and molly-coddled stars are getting a mid-winter break.

Time is running out. Time to act before an OBE for Jimmy goes the same way as the knighthood never bestowed upon his close friend and England World Cup room-mate Bobby Moore.

JEFF POWELL IN LAS VEGAS: Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder stand at a dead heat in the predictions by boxing royalty gathered here to see which of them will thunder to victory.

Former Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique has paid tribute to his daughter Xana, the 'star that guides our family', after announcing her death at the age of nine. 

Former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque says he would not have brought Neymar back to La Liga had he been coach of Barcelona, even though he recognises the Brazilian's outstanding talents.

Sergio Ramos has explained the motive behind his celebration to mimic wearing glasses after scoring for Spain against Romania in a Euro 2020 qualifier.

PETE JENSON: If there is any debate next summer about who keeps goal for Spain at Euro 2020 then Kepa's fans will point back to Thursday night as weighty evidence that it should be him in goal. 

Spanish football officials are said to have fast-tracked the process of integrating the highly-regarded youngster into the national set up after impressing at Barcelona.

The 16-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season at the Nou Camp, scoring twice in the three La Liga appearances, however Barcelona are concerned about losing him to World Cup duty.

Ansu Fati's father has revealed his desire for his son to represent Portugal internationally despite the Barcelona wonderkid having recently been awarded with a Spanish passport.

The 16-year-old Barcelona sensation had been expected to be selected for the tournament, making him miss up to five weeks of action.

The 31-year-old, who was a regular last season, has made six of his seven appearances from the bench this campaign, as Ernseto Valverde has opted to start summer-signing Frenkie de Jong.

An increasing number of fans have voiced their frustration at Valverde after a series of underwhelming Barca displays this season, with Argentine coach Gallardo being mooted as a replacement.

'The electoral commission has excused our goalkeeper from being a reserve at the Mondragon polling station. We'll see you at San Mames,' Levante tweeted on Saturday.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has made the bold claim of reassuring supporters that talisman Lionel Messi will not be leaving the club. The club icon could walk away for free in summer.

When Spain began their rise to world domination, in the Euro 2008 final on June 29 with a 1-0 victory over Germany, there were five starters drawn from either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Former Manchester United record signing Veron oversaw the capture of Mascherano in November and now wants Iniesta from Vissel Kobe, who he joined after leaving Barcelona.

MALLORCA 4-1 VALENCIA: The unfancied home side welcomed the European hopefuls needing a big boost, with the team still stuck in the relegation zone after just one win in seven games.

PETE JENSON IN SPAIN: Quique Setien admitted that his Barcelona players 'were not very good' and questioned their tactical understanding after a 2-0 La Liga defeat at Valencia on Saturday.

Barcelona have reportedly walked away from the negotiation table with Valencia for striker Rodrigo, after opting not to give into the financial demands of their La Liga rivals.

For the first time in more than a century, a Basque derby will decide the Copa del Rey. Athletic Bilbao reached the final for the fourth time in 12 years, advancing on away goals against Grenada.

CLAIRE BLOOMFIELD AT THE TOYOTA STADIUM: England end their SheBelieves Cup campaign with just three points from three games after losing 1-0 to Spain in Dallas.

The Veronicas, consisting of twin sisters Jessica and Lisa Origliasso, recently announced they would be releasing a new album after taking a hiatus from music.

Ruby Rose fulfilled her 'childhood dream' earlier this year by landing the groundbreaking role as the first openly-lesbian Batwoman. 

She's set to play the first on-screen lesbian superhero Batwoman. 

She's about to mark history as the first openly gay female superhero.

She's rumoured to be making an appearance in Fast And Furious 9 - and Ruby Rose and BFF Vin Diesel reunited at the eighth annual Australians in Film gala in LA.

The Veronicas stars Jessica and Lisa Origliasso have revealed they live together on a 'sustainable' Queensland property with their partners. 

Actress Ruby Rose donated $50,000 to bushfire relief during her short break back home in Australia.

The CW's hit superhero series Batwoman made history in Sunday night's new episode, which revealed Ruby Rose's title character as the first openly gay superhero.

Girlfriend Magazine's Model Search has launched the careers of some of Australia's biggest runway stars over the past 30 years, from supermodel Abbey-Lee Kershaw to actress Ruby Rose.

Ruby Rose showed off her unique sense of style as she debuted her blue and pink split-colour buzz cut in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Ruby Rose was spotted hanging out with Bella Thorne during a socially-distanced soiree on Saturday in honor of celebrity hairstylist Riawna Capri.

PATRICK MARMION: Now Andrew Scott is storming one of the West End's biggest stages in Noel Coward's 1942 comedy about an overwrought and over-sexed thespian.