A monstrous creature from the distant past, named after a Trojan War ship, could have stepped straight from the pages of Greek myth.

The newly discovered sea scorpion lived 467 million years ago and grew to a length of nearly six feet, with an exoskeleton “helmet” shielding its head, a sleek narrow body, and large grasping limbs for trapping prey.

Scientists named the beast Pentecopterus decorahensis, after the “penteconter”– an ancient Greek ship rowed by 50 oarsmen that saw service in the Trojan War.

Foal joy for once extinct species

Keepers at a British animal park have hailed the birth of a rare species of horse once declared extinct in the wild.

The male Przewalski foal was born to mother Ula at Port Lympne Reserve near Ashford, Kent – the second of the species to arrive there in a year. Bob Saville, head of hoofstock section at Port Lympne, said: “He will help ensure the survival of the species, which was once completely wiped out.”

Sperm bank needs more donors

More donors are needed at Britain's national sperm bank, as it only has nine donors a year after it opened.

It could take around five years before the centre, based at Birmingham Women's Hospital, has enough donors, chief executive Laura Witjens said, but added that she is hopeful more people will sign up.

She said of the hundreds of people who might enquire about donating, only a small number may make it through screenings and become a registered donor, but a change in tack when it comes to advertising could make a big difference.

‘Adult’ travel card sells out in hours

A special edition swipe card for Taiwan's public transport system featuring the clothed image of a Japanese porn star has sold out within hours overnight via a telephone hotline, despite a storm of opposition.

Taiwan's EasyCard said on its website that it sold its full run of 15,000 card sets by 4.18am after phone orders started at midnight. The cards – also used for store purchases – feature images of Yui Hatano, a 27-year-old Japanese woman who local media said likes Taiwan and wants to help the company's charity donation scheme.

Critics campaigned against the cards, saying the images disrespect women and send inappropriate messages to children. Many stores declined to sell the cards, and the company ended up offering them via the hotline only.

Blushing bride and nude cyclists

Here comes the bride all dressed in white... and, right behind her, thousands of cyclists not dressed in anything.

Nude and body-painted participants from this year's Philly Naked Bike Ride cruised through the wedding day photoshoot of Ross Cohen and Blair Delson in Philadelphia.

Their wedding photographer was snapping photos of them when they heard the buzz of about 3,000 bikes approaching. The couple decided not to wait for the cyclists to pass before continuing with their photos. She scurried towards the cyclists half a block away and he followed, and together they high-fived the nude cyclists.

Shaggy dog’s presidential plan

She might be a bit shaggy, but Lucy Lou wants to run for president – and she comes with political experience.

The border collie has served as mayor of Rabbit Hash, an unincorporated community of 135 residents along the Ohio River in northern Kentucky, since 2008.

Bobbi Kayser, who is Lucy's owner, said that she will announce her ambitions for higher office – and her retirement as mayor – on Saturday.