start

The French dance duo have signed a new record deal with the Sony-owned Columbia label. Little is known about the outfit’s planned fourth studio album, although Chic co-founder Nile Rodgers recently hinted that it would be released soon. It is reported that there will be a lot of famous collaborations on the new album although what form their contributions to the new record might take is unclear.

The duo last played in the UK at Wireless festival in 2007, but the chances of new live shows are not promising. Bestival organiser and BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank said earlier this year that he had been told the band would not tour in 2013, while rumours that that they would headline the Coachella festival in California in April proved unfounded.

Surf’s up...
New world record!

The Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara has claimed to have broken his own world record for the largest wave surfed when he caught a wave reported to be around 100ft off the coast of Nazaré, Portugal.

McNamara, who was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts but whose family moved to Hawaii's North Shore when he was aged 11, was accompanied by fellow big-wave surfers Andrew Cotton and and Mennie revealed that the conditions were "perfect" for McNamara whom he described as "inspiring".

“The jet ski was the best place to see him riding the biggest wave I've ever seen. It was amazing. Most people would be scared but Garrett was controlling everything in the critical part of the wave. It was an inspiring ride by an inspiring surfer." - Alastair Mennie

If McNamara's claims are verified, it will mean that he has beaten his previous record, which was also set at Nazaré, by 10ft.

Mali and me

A major increase in the UK commitment to help French and African forces in Mali and the region has been confirmed by Downing Street.

Number 10 said 200 UK troops would train an African regional force outside Mali, with up to 40 more on an EU training mission inside Mali. A further 70 RAF personnel will oversee the use of a Sentinel surveillance in the region and 20 will staff a C-17 transport plane for a further three months.