The Week in Pictures: March 10 – March 16, 2015

A lot happened last week so lets take a moment to look back and reflect upon some of the biggest stories that made the headlines

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, hasn't been seen in public since March 5th and this sparked speculation in the press as to his health. With rumors swirling of a hit-list circulating within the security services causing some opposition figures to leave the country, various explanations for Putin's absence surfaced. According to some he was with his girlfriend Alina Kabaeva in Switzerland where she had his child, according to others he merely fell ill, and some overly optimistic types blamed a palace-coup.

Cyclone Pam hammered into the archipelago of Vanuatu causing significant widespread damage in what has been described by Colin Collet Van Rooyen of Oxfam as “one of the worst disasters ever seen in the Pacific”. With some estimates putting the destruction at 90% the 267,000 people scattered across 65 islands faced winds of up to 185mph early on Saturday as the category 5 storm hit the capital Port Vila. President Baldwin Lonsdale declared a state of emergency and made an impassioned plea for international assistance.

Top Gear presenter and professional idiot Jeremy Clarkson became embroiled in yet another incident with the BBC suspending both him and the airing of the most popular motoring show in the world. In an apparent altercation with a producer over provision of provisions, the 54 year old buffoon reeled off a tirade of expletives and allegedly threw a punch threatening to have the hapless staffer sacked. The BBC has launched an investigation into the incident and will not be showing the next two scheduled episodes of the show that runs in 170 countries.

In sport Lewis Hamilton began his Formula 1 title defense with a win in Australia he made look effortless finishing just ahead of his Mercedes teammate, and biggest rival, the German Nico Rosberg. Sebastian Vettel grabbed a podium place with third in his Ferrari in a race only 11 cars finished. Will Hamilton be able to stay out in front this season? You'll have to read our daily news pages to find out but in the meantime lets look back at what hit our headlines last week.

1. PokerStars kicks off MicroMillions: 10 championships in 9 days from March 19-29 and will feature a Micromillions 10 Leader Board.

2. A new live casino gaming system has been made available for PokerStars’ clients after Evolution developed the software.

3. The IRS has proposal to lower the required revenue reports for gaming earnings from land-based casinos to 50% has spawned some criticism.

4. Roy Cockrum has become a multi-millionaire after he won the largest prize in the history of Tennessee lottery, a massive $259.8 million.

5. Slotland celebrates 10th anniversary of the first mobile jackpot winner with giving $15 freebie for their players.

6. Japanese lawmakers are attempting a “last-ditch” effort  to get their casino bill passed before its expiration in late June.

7. The clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid is expected to be an easy win for Barcelona because of the two sides’ recent form.
Meanwhile a surgical team in South Africa have reported the world's first “successful” penis transplant operation on an 21 year old patient who had to have his own member amputated after a botched traditional circumcision. Although it could take up to two years for a full range of feeling to return the newly transferred trouser-snake has be confirmed and managing the spectrum of necessary function. The operation raised several ethical questions and the patient now requires immunosuppressant drugs for the rest of his life.