Michael Jackson has demanded all the children in his choir know sign language. The "Thriller" singer is due to kick-off his 50-date residency at London's O2 arena next month and has sent an email telling promoters AEG the requirements he wants for his team of young singers.

A source said: "Normally when we cast choirs for acts, it's quite a laborious task. But in this case, it's proving a near impossibility. Jackson is a perfectionist and wants it exactly right and that means every child being able to do sign language."

Lawyers of a Briton accused of hacking U.S. military and NASA computers in 2001 are citing their client's autism as a reason why he should not be extradited to the U.S. for trial.

The British high court is to hear the new legal defense for Gary McKinnon, 40, on Tuesday as his lawyers warned he risks suffering from depression and may harm himself when he is transferred to U.S. custody because of his Asperger's syndrome. The condition was diagnosed in August.

Congratulatory handshakes, a tradition at most graduation ceremonies, might be the latest casualty of the H1N1 flu virus. The University of Illinois at Chicago took the first step during Wednesday night's graduation of the Honors College-one of the school's most challenging programs. There, during the graduation ceremonies the student's received the usual diplomas without the customary handshake that traditionally accompanies it.

In an e-mail sent out this week, students were told it's because of "the ongoing concerns regarding the Influenza A-H1N1 outbreak."

The White House has expanded its presence on the Web with accounts on Twitter and other social networking sites, continuing what pundits have said is President Barack Obama's unprecedented use of technology.

Along with his weekly address and regular press briefings from his spokesman, Obama will now also be communicating with Americans through Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. This is to add to his sites on Flickr, iTunes, Vimeo and YouTube.

Ray Winstone's 8-year-old daughter taught him how to use a computer. The "Beowulf" actor's youngest child Ellie forced him to get to grips with modern technology so the pair can keep in touch while he is away working on films.

Ray, 52, said: "She has taught me how to use a computer. She's eight! I couldn't email or nothing like that beforehand - and I never wanted to either."