The US government has declared a public health emergency in Puerto Rico amid a Zika virus epidemic.

A slim majority of Puerto Ricans sought to change their ties with the United States and become the 51st US state in a non-binding referendum that would require final approval from Congress.

The New York melting pot was overflowing in Lower Manhattan yesterday morning, all manner of people brought there by their champion football team.

THIRTY FOUR years after boxing’s last headline act at Yankee Stadium saw Muhammad Ali handed a controversial points victory over Ken Norton, the sport is preparing to return to the venue tomorrow night.

On a tape of a closed-door meeting with advisers, film star turned Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Cubans and Puerto Ricans are naturally feisty and temperamental because of their combination of “black blood” and “Latino blood".

Pity poor Puerto Rico, who could find themselves on the end of a United States backlash in the men’s basketball.

US president George Bush has declared a disaster in Puerto Rico following floods and landslides that forced hundreds from their homes and caused damage running into millions of dollars.