But it was a fascination with the challenge of unification, more than personal ties, that enticed Mr Biedenkopf into taking on Saxony's premiership.

ECONOMIST: Kurt Biedenkopf, king of Saxony

Maybe it was a boyhood fascination with the story of how he had lost his arm in a war.

WHITEHOUSE: The White House

The prosecutor said it was more likely the killing "may have had something to do with a fascination with guns and killing and a desire to see what it was like to shoot someone, something which he had not managed to achieve in Afghanistan".

BBC: Ex-soldier denies Leeds landlady murder

At this stage, Rogan was predictably playing something of a supporting role and it was evident that the British media's fascination with Harrison has not entirely waned, even after eight years of failing to impress since his amateur heroics in Sydney.

BBC: Rogan and Harrison trade verbals

One day after Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins, NBC Sports anchor Bob Costas said it was time to talk about this nation's fascination with guns.

CNN: Now is the time to talk guns, mental illness