BEATLES SET FOR NEW CHART SUCCESS

The Beatles are set to become popular with a whole new generation of fans, after Apple finally settled a 25 year trademark disagreement with the Beatle’s record company Apple Corps over the use of their name. The fab four are now set for a huge revival of Beatlemania as the settlement paved the way for all their hits like Hey Jude to be available for download onto Apple Ipods. Experts are predicting that some of The Beatles' old hits could be back in the charts once again as downloaded tracks count towards chart success.

RUSSIA AND JAPAN BAN BRITISH POULTRY IMPORTS

Russia and Japan have banned imports of British poultry in the wake of the discovery of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian flu at a Bernard Matthew’s turkey farm. Bernard Matthews is one of Europe’s largest turkey producers. Thousands of turkeys have already been culled after the discovery, however experts say the chances of humans contracting the H5N1 strain are small and only those who have come into close contact with the birds are at risk. Let’s hope so for all our sakes.

URDU AND MANDARIN TO BE PART OF SCHOOL CURRICULUM

If government ministers have their way Urdu and Mandarin could be taught in British schools rather than traditional French and German. Ministers believe that Urdu and Mandarin are a lot more "economically useful". I don't know about that but I think pupils will have their work cut out learning them, particularly Mandarin which is notoriously difficult to learn. I'm sure it will be challenging and a good way to keep them awake if nothing else.

SIMPLY RED'S MICK TO BECOME A DAD

Congratulations to Simply Red's Mick Hucknall on the news that he and his partner Gabrielle are expecting a baby. I've always been a big fan of Mick's band Simply Red. I quite often have their music playing in the background to give me inspiration whilst working on my book.

RELEASE DATE OF FINAL HARRY POTTER BOOK ANNOUNCED

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has announced the final book in the saga of the boy wizard will hit the bookshelves on Saturday 21st July. Bookstores are bracing themeselves for a stampede as eager fans rush to find out the fate of their hero. JK Rowling has already revealed that two characters will die in the final installment and hinted that one could be Harry.

NEWCASTLE NOISIEST CITY

Newcastle has been named the noisiest city in Britain in a recent report, with Birmingham and London coming hot on its heels. The traffic noise in Newcastle has been likened to a loud alarm clock constantly ringing in your ear. Bad news for the city's residents. Experts say that prolonged traffic noise can lead to irreversible hearing damage.

STARS JOIN BURBERRY CAMPAIGN

A host of celebrities including Tom Jones, Emma Thompson and Charlotte Church have this week added their support to a campaign to stop British upmarket fashion firm Burberry closing their factory in South Wales and moving production to China, with the loss of hundreds of jobs. Burberry has always been a quintessentially British company so to move production to the other side of the world is unthinkable. At the end of the day it is all about corporate greed and saving money. But unfortunately it's the British workers who are the sufferers. Burberry have now pulled out of sponsoring and hosting the BAFTA reception after threats of protests and stars boycotting the ceremony.

SHOCKING RISE IN TEACHER ATTACKS

My first career choice was to go into teaching but I'm so glad I didn't when I read shocking new statistics released this week. It seems there has been a massive rise in vicious attacks on teachers, with at least one teacher a day being attacked by out of control pupils and their parents. Is it any wonder there is a shortage of good teachers in this country and the education system in this country is falling down? The government needs to take matters in hand and do something about this as a matter of urgency. Teachers deserve to do their jobs and educate the next generation without fear of being attacked. We as a nation ask for nothing less.

ROYALS AVOID PAYING TAX ON NECKLACE

The Royals have come in for some bad press this week after Camilla (Duchess of Cornwall) claimed that a £1million diamond and ruby necklace she wore on a US trip was a “gift to the nation,” to avoid paying tax on it. Yet hours earlier Prince Charles’ office had announced that the gift was a “private present” and then changed their tune and declared the necklace a “gift to the nation” 24 hours later. The Royals are expected to pay tax on private gifts but not official ones which pass into the Royal Collection. Camilla has tried so hard to gain acceptance and popularity with the British public in the past, but this is bound to leave a sour taste in the mouths of many. It is up to the Royal family to set an example to the rest of us and pay any taxes owed. Think of the schools and hospitals deprived of what would have been a considerable amount of tax money. Shame on you Charles and Camilla.

SNAKES SLITHER AWAY ACHING MUSCLES

As some of you know, I work in the healthfood industry and am always interested to try various complementary therapies. It seems that the latest treatment at a massage parlour in Israel is to let six snakes slither across a patient’s aching muscles! Somehow I don’t think I fancy that! I think I’ll stick with a traditional aromatherapy massage to help me unwind – much less traumatic!

FIRST KEYHOLE HEART OP CARRIED OUT IN BRITAIN

British cardiologists made medical history this week when they carried out Britain’s first keyhole heart valve replacement operation. The advantage of keyhole is that the procedure is much quicker and less traumatic for the patient than conventional open heart surgery, as it allows valves to be implanted into the heart using a catheter. Also the patient’s recovery time is much quicker. The new keyhole heart surgery has been described as “the biggest development in cardiology in the past 30 years since angioplasty.”

BRITS ACCUMULATE TONS OF RUBBISH

According to a report released this week, the average Brit accumulates about a ton of junk and rubbish, which is usually dumped in the attic, a spare room or under the bed. Feng Shui experts says this is a really bad thing to do as it leads to stagnant energy. No wonder many of us don’t have any “get up and go!” Maybe that’s why I always feel better when I’ve had a good clear out and got rid of some junk!

XFACTOR JUDGE TAKES A BREAK FROM MUSIC AT HOME

XFactor judge Simon Cowell has confessed that he can go for weeks on end without listening to music when he’s at home. TV’s Mr Nasty confessed in a US magazine interview that he doesn’t even know how to use either a computer or IPod and prefers to watch tv in his spare time. Not surprising really. I suppose listening to some people auditioning for XFactor and American Idol is enough to put you off music for life!

MANCHESTER WINS CASINO BID

Manchester has won its bid to host Britain’s first Las Vegas style super-casino, beating off stiff competition from Blackpool and London. Supporters say that the new casino project will boost the city’s economy, creating jobs and regenerating the local area. It will certainly boost the fortunes of the taxman and the casino owners. However critics argue that it will encourage gambling addictions. Love it or loathe it, the exciting new development will form part of the city’s bright, shining future.

HELEN MIRREN TIPPED FOR OSCAR WIN

British actress Helen Mirren is hotly tipped to win an Oscar for her role in The Queen. In addition the Prime Suspect star has also been voted the world’s sexiest older female film star in a Lovefilm.com poll. Helen Mirren has always been one of Britain’s finest actresses. Well done to her!

SHILPA WINS BIG BROTHER

Well done to Shilpa Shetty on winning Celebrity Big Brother! The crowd cheered and cried, “We love you Shilpa” as she emerged from the house. Poor Shilpa had a difficult time at the hands of racist bullies Jade, Jo and Danielle. But thankfully she came through to win the show and quite rightly so. Shilpa has more talent, class and beauty than her three tormentors put together. We can all learn a lesson from the generosity and humility Shilpa showed when talking about the people who made her life a misery in the house. If everyone behaved like this and showed so much tolerance towards others, then the world would be a better place. At last Shilpa is out of the house, with a very bright future to look forward to and lots of lucrative offers in the pipeline. She can finally put this whole sorry saga behind her.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

NEW ARRIVAL AT BERLIN ZOO

I couldn’t resist showing this photo of cute baby polar bear Knut. At only two months old Knut is the first baby polar bear to be born at Berlin Zoo for over 30 years. He spent the first few days of his life in an incubator after his mum rejected him and his twin (who sadly died). But after lots of tender loving care from his keeper, Knut’s weight is now up to a healthy 8.6 pounds and he’s doing well.

PHOTO:- COURTESY OF YAHOO NEWS

MAMMA MIA

As some of you know, I had the pleasure of going to see the musical Mamma Mia on Thursday night. The story centres around a girl on a Greek Island who is about to get married and invites three men to her wedding, in the hope of discovering which one of the three is her real dad! The story is told through the use of Abba songs. Abba were Sweden’s best export and had a string of chart hits with the likes of Mamma Mia, SOS and Dancing Queen. They are one of the most enduring pop groups of all time and are as popular today as they’ve always been. The show is really well done with superb performances by all the cast. It's a great feel-good musical show. Very enjoyable. The show is world famous and has toured all over the world. Go and see it if you get a chance. You won't be disappointed.

CUSTOMER SENDS BAILIFFS TO HIS LOCAL BANK

Royal Bank of Scotland customer Declan Purcell, like the majority of people in this country, was sick of paying high bank charges. When his local bank refused to refund over £3,000 worth of charges Declan believed he was owed, he gave them a taste of their own medicine by sending in the bailiffs! Stunned customers and staff couldn’t believe their eyes as bailiffs seized computers, office equipment and a drawer filled with cash. The branch manager was told that the items would be taken and sold to cover the debt unless the bank agreed to refund Mr Purcell’s money. It was only when the manager assured the bailiffs that the charges would be refunded that they agreed to leave. It’s nice to read a story like this and see that even banks are not above the law. Bully for you Declan!

GROWING PROBLEM OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY

British kids eat more sweets and have more sugary drinks than children in any other country in Europe, according to research revealed this week. Many kids skip breakfast, preferring to spend pocket money on sweets and junk food. Childhood obesity is now a growing problem with more and more children now being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, something that was unheard of 10 years ago.