People — Following the father

But Frank said her "reliable" sources were adamant William would next year join children from the cream of Australian society at Timbertop, which this year included two of actor Mel Gibson’s sons, Edward and Christian. The school’s headmaster Murray Guest refused to confirm or deny the reports and said he was not at liberty to discuss student lists. "Maybe you know more than I do," he said.

Prince Charles, 49, is Timbertop’s most famous ex-pupil, having spent two terms there in 1966 before returning to the Scottish school of Gordonstoun to complete his education. He has publicly spoken of his affection for Timbertop and what it taught him. Blair also has strong connections to the school. One of his best friends, the Reverend Peter Thomson, with whom the Blairs spent Christmas two years ago, was headmaster of the school in the 1970s. Current Eton head John Lewis is also a previous Timbertop headmaster. Other notable names to have passed through the school include media barons Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. But much has changed since then. In 1975, much to the shock of the establishment, it went co-educational and admitted girls.

For Uday’s life

Iraqis marked the anniversary on Friday of an assassination attempt against President Saddam Hussein’s elder son Uday with celebrations for his survival, the official media reported. In the southern city of Najaf, Iraqis from several surrounding governorates slaughtered 33 sheep, one for each year of Uday’s life. Prayers were also said by around 500 journalists in the city, which is a pilgrimage centre for Shiite Moslems as it is the site of the tomb of the imam Ali. And the Iraqi media said celebrations were also held at stadiums around the country before the start of the day’s football programme. Student, youth and journalists’ groups run by Uday also held celebrations in the Baghdad district of Mansur where the attack on Uday’s car took place.

Uday spent six months in hospital recovering from the injuries he sustained in the attack. A pro-Iranian Iraqi Opposition group said it carried it out, but Uday blamed Iran itself, a charge Teheran denied.

Wish for a birthday

President Bill Clinton on Friday wished veteran crooner Frank Sinatra a happy birthday as the entertainer turned 82. "You have inspired all of us," Clinton said in a message during a tribute to Sinatra on CNN, and added that Old Blue Eyes would be awarded the congressional Gold Medal. "Frank, we’ve got you under our skin," Clinton added, alluding to one of Sinatra’s most famous songs. His daughter Tina Sinatra said the entertainer was "doing very well" although he continues to smoke "a little bit". Last January Sinatra suffered a heart attack. He has not been seen in public since. The New York Post recently reported Sinatra was on his death bed and another daughter Nancy said she was "disgusted…furious" at the report. Sinatra’s spokeswoman said the entertainer would celebrate his birthday at home. "He and his wife are planning an intimate day together at their home," Susan Reynolds said. "In the evening, friends and family are going to stop for the birthday cake."