Camila Batmanghelidjh was born in Tehran into fairy-tale privilege.  She now works with underprivileged children in London. Vida Adamoli charts her journey.

In the midst of dazzling opulence nine-year-old Camila became aware of a desire to help children less fortunate than herself. The Islamic Revolution destroyed her privilege, condemned her to exile - but focused her mission.

So sang David Bowie, and so have asked many others down the ages.  Are we about to find out?

Landing a probe on a distant planet has almost become commonplace - but make no mistake, this current achievement has taken years of painstaking effort by hundreds of people. The big question - 'Is there life on Mars?' - is certainly eclipsed by the curiosity of a race of creatures who are determined to find out.

Read much more here

Things that you can only get away with saying at Christmas!

I prefer breasts to legs.

Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.

Smother the butter all over the breasts!

If I don't undo my trousers, I'll burst!

Does a giant sponge hold the key to the missing matter of the universe?

Although the universe contains billions of galaxies, only a small amount of its matter is locked up in these behemoths. Most of the universe's matter, created during and just after the Big Bang, is 'missing' - and a giant sponge looks like it might be hiding it, writes Mike Shull.

Take one plastic bag, add a little thought - and maybe a few slaps...