World briefs

A spectacular butterfly from the continent could be attempting to colonise the UK, experts said after a number emerged on the south coast.

A dozen adult continental swallowtail butterflies have been seen across Sussex in the past few weeks after wintering in the UK, wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation said. Last year’s hot summer led to the largest invasion of the swallowtails since 1945, with butterflies also seen in Suffolk, Kent, Hampshire and Dorset.

The butterfly – which has striking black and yellow markings and a streamer-shaped tail – finds it difficult to survive winter in the UK’s relatively cold climate. But the emergence of adults from pupae in recent weeks suggests its breeding attempts last year were successful.

Economist predicts Brazil win

Brazil will win the 2014 World Cup, according to a study by a sports economist.

Nicolas Scelles, of the University of Stirling in Scotland, analysed more than 2,800 international matches in the past three years and considered 18 different variables – including gross domestic product and population difference – before coming to his conclusion.

He also found that Scotland could have reached the knock-out stages of the competition had they – and not Croatia – qualified for the tournament. But Dr Scelles predicted that England can expect a quarter-final defeat at the hands of World Cup holders Spain.

Tying the knot back in vogue in UK

Marriage is back in fashion, it has been claimed, as the latest statistics show a rise in the number of couples in England and Wales choosing to tie the knot. More than 260,000 marriages took place in 2012, an increase of 5.3 per cent on the previous year, figures from the Office for National Statistics showed.

One of the 249,133 weddings in 2011 was that of Kate Middleton and Prince William, which was watched live by millions around the world.

Andrew Newbury, head of family law at Slater & Gordon solicitors, said the latest figures showed that “traditional marriage is back in fashion”.

Show and shell – with a grenade

The mother of an 11-year-old boy has been arrested after her son brought a grenade to school for a ‘show and tell’ related to Wold War II.

Lisa Miguel of Stratford, Connecticut, in the US, was charged with risk of injury to a minor, reckless endangerment and illegal possession of an explosive. Stratford Academy was placed on lockdown. Students were sent to the back of the school until a bomb squad determined the grenade was a simulator used for training.

Plane makes fairway landing

He was using decades-old equipment on a famously tough course, but he hit the centre of the fairway.

The pilot of a 1929 biplane with a sputtering engine and two passengers aboard made an emergency landing on a fairway at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, US.

The plane sent stunned golfers scrambling, but it landed smoothly and no one was injured in the plane or on the ground.

Top tip for waitress in the US

A waitress received a $1,000 tip directly from her customer after the restaurant refused to give it to her as it was left on a credit card.

Shaina Brown was working the night shift in Raleigh when a man left her the tip. But the Waffle House restaurant said it does not refund large tips unless they are paid by cash or cheque to avoid disputes about charges. Brown said she was humiliated when the restaurant refused to give her the money.

Her customer, who wanted to remain anonymous, heard about her problems and immediately wrote her a cheque.