As Christmas is approaching I thought you might like to switch on the audio on your computer and click here.

On a much more serious note, millions of people in developing countries die each year from diseases that are treatable or preventable and three diseases alone - AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria - kill over five million annually. But standard diagnostic tests which could significantly reduce the death toll are imperfect. For instance, the standard TB test misses half of all cases. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is committed to improving diagnostic health technology for the developing world and has worked with Nature to produce a special report which is available free online to everyone. It is a hugely important publication.

Last night I was fortunate enough to be invited by the private equity group Apax Partners to the Tate Britain for a party and a viewing of the Holbein in England show. The amazing success of private equity in recent years has always baffled me. They seem to make money appear out of nowhere and they continue to do so. I have had the trick explained many times but, rather like watching a brilliant conjuror, I still can't see how they do it!

Apart from marvelling at Holbein's technical expertise I came away certain that Henry VIII would have made an excellent rugby front row forward - see below.