The Daily: June 27

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

Britains tennis triumph continues
Andy Murray triumphed yesterday after beating Russian component Nikolay Davydenko in a quick succession of straight sets, despite previous doubt from critics. The impressive display sees the Scotsman go on to the second round of the tournament amongst four other Brits: our highest amount to go through since 2006. There is also the chance of another British player joining them, as Jamie Baker will play against Andy Roddick today after their match was rained off yesterday. His win would make him the third British male to go through in the competition.
 
Queen meets with Martin McGuinness
Today the Queen met with Martin McGuinness, an ex-IRA commander, to shake hands in a gesture of peace and reconciliation. Yesterday the monarch, who was previously a suspected target for McGuinness, also privately met with survivors and relations of the Enniskillen bombing in Northern Ireland. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will also be honoured with the renaming of the Palace of Westminster’s clock tower to the Elizabeth Tower. Many know the tower by Big Ben, after the bell it contains; however, authorities supported the official renaming after many MP’s backed the decision.
 
Poaching results in significant drop in snail numbers
Fears for the Burgundy snail are being expressed by conservationists as it was revealed that their population has fallen by over 70 per cent in the last two years. The worrying figures are the result of poachers hunting down the snails and selling them to French restaurants, where they are considered a delicacy. The snails, also known as Roman snails, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and are normally bought from specialist farms, yet are increasingly being captured in the wild, as they can make substantial money for dealers. Efforts are being made to stop poachers and save the species from being wiped out.
 
Scientists offer reward to solve science puzzle
The Royal Society of Chemistry has put forward a competition in a bid to solve an age-old dilemma that has trumped scientists for centuries. The issue as to why hot water freezes faster than cold has left many baffled and despite many efforts to put an end to the conundrum, all attempts have been futile. Now scientists are offering a £1,000 reward to anyone who can solve the puzzle and put it to rest. However, the society has revealed that it has little faith in an explanation being reached, claiming that they are simply looking for “inventive submissions” that are “outside-the-box”.
 
Largest ever Celtic coin collection discovered
The largest hoard of Celtic coins ever to be found, which could be worth up to £10 million, has been unearthed by two amateur metal detectors,. After three decades of searching on the island of Jersey, Reg Mead and Richard Miles came across the collection buried 3ft deep under a hedge in a farmer’s field. The collection, believed to contain between 30,000 – 50,000 coins, is thought to be from the first century BC. According to coin experts, the collection will bring a vast amount of new information, not only about the coins themselves but also about the people and society who used them.
 
And finally…
Uggie, the former stray terrier, who was famed for his role in The Artist, was the first dog to have his paw prints captured in cement on Hollywood Boulevard outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. He was joined by Lassie in an event that also marked his retirement.