News week

In a break from the norm, here are five news items that have especially caught my eye this past week.

Ade goes crazy - The football story of the week (Coventry's glorious victory apart), the day that Man City Emmanuel Adebayor went nuts, stamping at a former teammate and then running the length of the pitch to goad fans who used to love him. A silly boy - he deserves being banned. Premier league footballers are paid oodles and should remain professionals at all times in my view. I'm sure other players have had worse aimed at them and managed to keep it together.

Could Elton sacrifice it all for an orphan? - We've had Brad, Angelina and Madonna and now Elton John wanted to get in on the act. Old Reg Dwight wanted to adopt a one year-old Ukranian orphan who had "stolen my heart" - but was turned down flatly because of his age and marital status. Celebrities shouldn't be allowed to do things like this on a whim. Could you really have seen him give up his lifestyle so that that little boy gets the attention he deserves? Much better to give money to Ukranian couples who can't have kids so that they can adopt the lad instead.

A sick fantasy goes unpunished - I read in disbelief this week that two teenagers have got away Scot-free (apart from six months remand) from their 'fantasy' plot to bomb their school in Manchester. A jury cleared Matthew Knight and Ross McKnight from potential murder - despite their obsession to copy the Columbine killings. I've heard a number of cases recently where officials (social workers, police, etc) have failed to spot warning signs in people who've then gone onto do terrible things. I really hope this isn't one of those situations. These are not good fantasies to have.

Sunny day for Vera - The news that wartime favourite Dame Vera Lynn has become the oldest singer to reach the top of the UK albums chart is a heart-warming one. The 92 year-old quietly snuck in to beat all of the The Beatles' (much-hyped) remastered albums to the number one slot. Whilst her music does nothing for me personally, people seem to still enjoy the golden oldies. Gives the likes of Cliff, Status Quo and Robbie Williams hope doesn't it?!

Tall order - (And finally...) Turkish giant Sultan Kosen has strode into the record books this week as the world's tallest person. Standing at a staggering 8 foot 1 inch tall, Kosen came to London - in search of love it seems! He hopes his new-found fame will find him a girlfriend. A lady with her own stepladder would fit the bill best. At a reasonably tall 6ft 3 myself, and lanky with it, I struggle with certain things in life (insufficient legroom and regular backache are just two) so I really feel for Kosen. Still, as the BBC piece says, at least he can change a lightbulb easily, eh!