Yesterday was a ...

Good Day for contraception, as scientists in Australia announced birth control for mice. They have developed a virus that carries a contraceptive agent inducing temporary infertility in male mice. At present the virus works only on laboratory mice. "It is likely to be 2005 at the earliest before anything is available for use in the field," a spokesman said. This coincided with another report from Australia announcing a birth control programme for koalas. Last year vasectomies had been performed on a small sample of koalas, but contraceptive implants are now being tried. Meanwhile, in Malaysia, a fly-breeding factory opened yesterday with plans to hatch 10 million sterile screw-worm flies a week. By releasing large numbers of sterile flies, the Malaysians hope to control the population of the insect pest.

Bad Day for Tony Blair, as he finished only fifth in a poll of ideal fantasy marriage partners. Women respondents to a survey by Hamilton Direct Bank put Ewan McGregor, Colin Firth, George Clooney and David Schwimmer in the top four places.