In the week that singer-songwriter Adele's critically acclaimed second album retains the UK top spot for the ninth consecutive week, Colin Paterson asks whether she can beat the record set by Madonna to become the female solo artist with the longest-running album at number one for consecutive weeks.

At just 21 years old, how did this 'ordinary girl' from North London conquer the charts?

Reporter - Colin Paterson

Morland Sanders profiles the Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa.

Claire Bolderson profiles Marine Le Pen, daughter of Jean Marie Le Pen who now leads the party that her father founded, the Front National. She has a different style to her father - more smiles than snarls - but are her political views as divisive and controversial as his? A recent opinion poll shows that support for Marine Le Pen is overtaking support for President Sarkozy and she may do very well at the next presidential election in 2012.

He's a popular figure in the Conservative Party and a key player in the Coalition, but this week the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, was criticised after a bungled SAS mission into Libya. The Prime Minister has defended him, but others are asking whether Hague still has a passion for politics at the highest level.

As Tory leader in 2001, he led his party to a crushing defeat and announced his resignation the day after the election. Over the next few years, he enjoyed a rise in popularity, probably helped by appearances on the TV show, 'Have I Got News for You'. Now, back at the top of the political game, he's again facing challenges which are testing his mettle.

As Paris Fashion week gets underway, one of its most successful designers is missing from the show. Chris Bowlby looks at the life and career of John Galliano, who was sacked this week by fashion house Dior after allegedly making anti-Semitic comments.

Mary Ann Sieghart explores the life and career of Lord Patten, the Conservative peer who has achieved a number of high profile posts in a long political career. A former speechwriter for Margaret Thatcher, he became a 'One Nation' Conservative, serving in a number of ministerial roles before accepting the Chairmanship of the party in difficult political times. He steered his party to victory in the 1992 general election but lost his own seat in the process. He was quickly installed as the Governor of Hong Kong, managing the handover of the former colony to China. He also oversaw the handing over of police powers in Northern Ireland and served as European Commissioner. Now he's the preferred candidate to take control of the BBC Trust in another, new role.

"I have seen God. He bats at No 4 for India in Tests". Rob Bonnet profiles Sachin Tendulkar, possibly the most worshipped cricketer in the world. He has broken records galore in Test and One-day international cricket. In India he's revered more than Bollywood stars and politicians. And his name and face are used to promote eveything from luxury cars to soft drinks. Yet off the field he is one of the most reclusive players. As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 gets underway in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka, Profile discovers how Tendulkar has become India's cricket God.

Producer: Emma Rippon

Arianna Huffington has had a rich and prolific career. A best selling author and TV presenter, her political transformation saw her first stand as a Republican candidate before switching to the Democrats, as she sought high public office. After setting up the highly sucessful internet newspaper, The Huffington Post, which championed "citizen journalism", this week she agreed a buyout by media giants AOL. But who is Arianna Huffington and what makes her tick? In this week's Profile, Emma Jane Kirby, looks into the life of America's latest media mogul and asks what next for the woman who's been described as "the most upwardly mobile Greek since Icarus".

What makes Craig Oliver the best choice for David Cameron's Director of Communications? Jane Dodge profiles the career TV journalist taking over at the Number 10 press office.

Gerry Northam profiles Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, co-chair of the Conservative party and the first Muslim government cabinet minister.

Producer: Gail Champion.