Culture Hong Kong Shock

American Idol, which Lythgoe produces, is the most popular show on American TV. A former dancer-choreographer from the Wirral, Lythgoe's British television career included directing the Muppets' dance routines and, as a BBC light entertainment executive, producing Bobby Davro.

Lythgo hit a rather bigger time when he moved to Los Angeles as the British invaded the US schedules with reality television. Lythgoe's current girlfriend is Priscilla Presley.

Ponderings from PapaBear

I see that there are already many great blogs posted on last nights BCS Title Game and another recap is not needed. However, I have a few final thoughts on this game and the Buckeye season. First, congratulations to Les Miles and his LSU Tigers. They were the dominate team on both sides of the ball for the final three quarters of this game and are deserving Champions. For the past month I was slowly able to convince myself that the Buckeyes had a shot at a victory in this game. In order for them to pull off the upset they would of had to play the perfect game. Their overall team effort was certainly better than the one the they put forth in last years game against Flordia, but perfect they were not. Turnovers and really stupid penalties kept this game from being close and the final result was much the same as last year...A sizeable loss.

EU faces deadline on GM food ban

In November 2007, the World Trade Organization (WTO) gave the EU an extra two months to comply with its ruling.

The United States, Argentina and Canada brought the case, arguing their farmers lost money because of GM bans, and may now call for WTO sanctions.

The EU has difficulty complying with the ruling, chiefly because of a ban on GM products by Austria.

The European Commission says it has imposed a regulatory framework but acknowledges there are problems enforcing it.

'Protectionism'

In 1998, the EU introduced a moratorium on new biotech authorisations that lasted six years.

The three countries behind the complaint to the WTO argued that the ban was about protectionism rather than science.

There are continuing concerns in France about the safety of GM crops.

PM wants mandatory sentences for 'serious' drug crimes

He did not say what offences would fall into that category or how long the sentences would be, but he did not mention marijuana in connection with mandatory sentencing.

Liberal MP Keith Martin, a physician, said the strategy "will be terrible for Canada because it will result in increased drug use, increased crime, increased incarceration rates and increased costs to the taxpayer.

United Kingdom: Queen's New Year Honours List 2008

ASHWORTH, Dr. John Michael. For public service.

BELL, Professor John Irving, Regius Professor of Medicine, University of Oxford and President, Academy of Medical Sciences. For services to Medicine.

GOOD, John James Griffen, C.B.E., Chair, Edrington Group. For services to Industry in Scotland.

HAREN, Dr. Patrick Hugh, Deputy Chairman, Viridian Group Ltd. For services to the Electricity Industry in Northern Ireland.

HARRIS, Michael Frank, lately President, Social Security and Child Support Appeals Tribunal and Circuit Judge. For public service.

JOWELL, Professor Roger Mark, C.B.E., Co-Founder and Director, European Social Survey and Research Professor, City University. For services to Social Science.

KENYON, Nicholas Roger, C.B.E., Managing Director, Barbican Centre and lately Director, BBC Proms.

The most influential Britons in America: 30-21

American Idol, which Lythgoe produces, is the most popular show on American TV. A former dancer-choreographer from the Wirral, Lythgoe's British television career included directing the Muppets' dance routines and, as a BBC light entertainment executive, producing Bobby Davro.

Lythgo hit a rather bigger time when he moved to Los Angeles as the British invaded the US schedules with reality television. Lythgoe's current girlfriend is Priscilla Presley.

Focus: The Observer Donor for Life campaign

My wife, Catherine, and I have had the odd weekend in Britain, and some places abroad do offer you free dialysis there, if you arrange it in advance, which let us have a lovely holiday in France in 2005. I'd love to visit America, where we have friends, but dialysis over there is so expensive.

'I would like to be a free man and live the life of a normal person - to be free of the deadweight of the machine that's always waiting for you every other day. But then, I'm lucky. I get a hugely positive treatment that could give me 10 more years of life, and costs £35,000 a year to provide, for free. It's utterly fantastic to be kept alive in this way.

'When I was doing my Christmas cards I wrote in some of them, "Dialysis going well - maybe next year for a kidney?" But when I was writing that I was also thinking, "Will I be saying the same thing next Christmas?" It's frustrating not knowing if I'm moving up the waiting list, or if I'm getting close to the zone of finally getting a kidney.

Spirits, sacred stones - and how to dowse your aura

In the bright docks of Ilfracombe, the sturdy MS Oldenburg rocked in the harbour as beefy men packed rucksacks and provisions into large plastic containers and dragged them aboard. After collecting my ticket in the harbour master's office, I felt a tap on my shoulder. The striking appearance of my guide, Lawrence Main, should not perhaps have come as a surprise, considering the nature of his interests, but he was monolithically tall and tanned with sea-blue eyes glinting from the depths of a wild grey mane of dreadlocks and the white horses of his long beard. He looked like Neptune or an Indian sadhu, albeit one in tiny shorts, a red fleece, sandals and bum bag.

As chairman of the mysterious Society of Ley Hunters, he had invited The Observer along on one of their annual holidays, to celebrate May Day on the island of Lundy off the north coast of Devon, in the hope this coverage would attract new members who share their passion for dowsing and stone circles.