The Daily: June 8

We scour the news so you don't have to.

Prince William qualifies as helicopter Captain
The Duke of Cambridge, who turns 30 later this month, has passed his two-day tests to become a helicopter captain. In order to pass he had to complete tasks that involved finding people at sea and extinguishing simulated fires. William joined the RAF in September 2010 to complete two years of flying experience and study with C Flight, 22 Sqn at RAF Valley on Anglesey. Despite passing these tests he remains Flight Lieutenant Wales, but the Officer Commanding 22 Sqn has said that he has shown the required standards needed for the award of Operational Captaincy.

Coma Patient improves on hearing fiancée’s voice
Teacher Matthew Taylor has been in a coma for the last ten months after suffering a fractured skull in a motorcycling accident whilst teaching in Indonesia. His fiancée, Handayani Nurul, called his mother at the Royal Derby Hospital 7,000 miles away from her home in Bali, and when his mother held the phone to his ear he started to cry whilst remaining in his coma. His stepfather reported that when they held the phone to his ear, Mr Taylor had tears in his eyes and when asked a question, answered a quiet ‘yes’. It is the first time he has shown any sign of recovery, since the first phone call three weeks ago, he has started to show slight movement of his body and now every time a phone rings he reaches out.

Fleetwood Mac remember guitarist
On Thursday, Fleetwood Mac singer and guitarist, Bob Welch, was found dead in his Nashville home by his wife. It is said that he died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound and had left a note. His former band mates have paid tribute to his today saying he was “an amazing guitarist” and “a huge part of [their] history.” Welch was a part for the line up from 1971-1974, working on Future Games and Bare Trees, but left the band before their 1977 album Rumours prior to Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joining the line-up. Mick Fleetwood said Welch was a “very profoundly intelligent human being and always in good humour.”

Oldest sisters reunited
The world’s oldest sisters were awarded certificates from the Guinness Book of World Records. Marjorie Ruddle, 105, and her older sister Dorothy Richards, 108, were reunited as they threw a street party at the nursing home in Peterborough where Miss Ruddle resides. They grew up together in Northampton, attended colleges in London and then returned east to take care of the family after their mother’s passing. Before being reunited they had not seen each other for two years.

Stranded Briton saved
Sarah Outen was left stranded after her rowing trip hit a tropical storm in the middle of the Pacific. She was stranded roughly 560 miles from the coast of Sendai, Japan, after her 22ft boat was damaged in the storms. A rescue effort of two helicopters and two planes were dispatched to keep her under surveillance. She tweeted whilst keeping herself safe and cocooned in the cabin, saying she had written ‘smile’ on one hand and ‘breathe’ on the other to keep herself calm. Outen was on a trip around the world travelling by bicycle, kayak and sailing. It has now been confirmed that she has made it safely onto the rescue boat.