The court was told on Monday that the agreement would remain confidential. Bankim Thanki QC, for the sheikh, told the judge: "We are very pleased to announce an amicable settlement has been reached on confidential terms." Lawyers for both sides then went into conference before releasing a joint statement which simply said: "They wish each other well in their own respective endeavours." Leaving the High Court on Monday, a spokesman for Sheikh Abdulla's lawyer said: "They have settled amicably and that's all we have to say."
Stadium News - Coldplay have announced they will play three massive stadium shows next summer. The Radio 1 Presents . . . gigs will take place at Manchester's LCCC (12 September), (16) Glasgow Hampden Park and (19) London's Wembley Stadium. Lead singer Chris Martin made the announcement speaking to Chris Moyles. "Now we just want to be returning to a place from whence we came. It's a dream come true," said Martin.
Beatles latest - Sir Paul McCartney has said he wants The Beatles' catalogue to appear on Apple's iTunes store, but that negotiations have currently "stalled". "We'd like to do it," Sir Paul told BBC News. "We are very for it, we've been pushing it. But there are a couple of sticking points, I understand." He said "heavy negotiations" were going on with their former record label EMI. "EMI want something we're not prepared to give 'em. It's between EMI and The Beatles I think - what else is new?" The band's music is not currently available to download legally. "Last word I got back was it's stalled at the moment," Sir Paul said. "But I really hope it will happen because I think it should."
Back by popular demand - Top of the Pops is coming back to television screens in December with two specials lined-up for Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. Fearne Cotton will present the programmes alongside co-host Reggie Yates. TOTP ran for 42 years before being scrapped in 2006.
Farewell - To Robert Ornbo, a much-respected lighting designer who was as versatile as he was prolific. His work spanned a vast range of disciplines, over many decades and right across the globe. Ornbo died peacefully at home on November 19th, having been diagnosed with fibrosing alveolitis in 2001. He will be missed.
Farewell also to British conductor Richard Hickox, who has died of a suspected heart attack at the age of 60. Hickox, musical director of Opera Australia as well as a regular conductor of major UK orchestras, died after a recording session in Wales. He conducted on more than 300 recordings and in 2006 received his fifth Gramophone Award.
(Jim Evans)
