Shorter cuts: news doesn't get any smaller

Bestseller aversion Hearing quite a lot of talk of folk who have never read 50 Shades of Grey, Harry Potter, The Da Vinci Code, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Is there a name for ths (other than snobbery)? Ouch! Noel Gallagher, playing in Camden on Tuesday night, dedicated Wonderwall to "Stratford's finest Oasis tribute band" – a reference to brother Liam's rendition of the song, with his band Beady Eye, during the Olympics closing ceremony. More shades EL James, 50 Shades of Grey author, has signed licensing deals for three ranges of 50 Shades clothing , from hoodies to garters. What next? 50 Shades of Farrow & Ball? Dear Mr Putin … Alicia Silverstone has written to the Russian president to request that Maria Alekhina, a vegan member of Pussy Riot, be fed appropriately during her detention. And all on (rather amateurly designed) Alicia Silverstone headed paper. Can birds smile? Always wanted to know the answer to this. And now Luke Stephenson's photos of show birds prove that they can.