The banker who wouldn't say sorry

International markets soared after a day in which the Government launched a £37bn bailout for Britain's biggest banks, but Sir Fred Goodwin, who resigned as CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland, declined to apologise for his part in events.

Working at his typewriter surrounded by 'bunny girls', publisher Hugh Hefner at the Playboy Key Club in Chicago

Is the party over for Playboy?

His Playboy empire is losing money and his favourite Playmates are jumping ship. Times are hard for Hugh Hefner.

British interpreter 'spied for Iran'

A British soldier in Afghanistan began spying for Iran because he felt he was the victim of racism in the Army, a jury has heard.

The Big Question: Why is opium production rising in Afghanistan, and can it be stopped?

Emergency legislation to bring the 42-day limit into force will lie on file, Smith said

Smith in 'humiliating retreat' over detention plans

Plans to hold terror suspects for up to 42 days without charge were abandoned last night after being crushed in the House of Lords.

Why do book prizes ignore the best reads?

It's the fault of male academics on the judging panels, says Booker judge Louise Doughty.

Rushdie shelved by Booker judges

Don't miss...

A Wild Eden
£70m plan for one of the world's most radical zoos
The $30m voyage
Astronaut follows father into space

The old values
Cricket brings calm to state classrooms
Fantasy kingdom
Cardboard crown for Wallachia's 'ruler' but nobody's laughing

'Gaming going on'
Dentists face curbs on abuse of salary system
Your questions
Norman Lamont, what would you be doing?

The burning issue of Hindu funeral pyres

Open-air funeral pyres have been at the heart of Hinduism for 4,000 years. Now a spiritual healer from Newcastle is battling at the High Court to lift the ban on outdoor cremations in Britain. Jerome Taylor reports

War hero McCain deserted by voters in military state

As you drive along the highway towards the world's largest Marine Corp base, a huge sign pronounces "Virginia, John McCain Country".

'Tense' Gerrard fears he will lose out to Lampard

He may be regarded as the most talented player of his generation but Steven Gerrard admitted yesterday that he is fearful for his place in the England team.

At last, the world fights back as one

The British Government became one of the biggest banks in the world yesterday. For the first time in history, the banking system of a major Western economy has been placed, in effect, under state control.

Fisk 'shocked' by US failure to debate conflict in Israel

A feisty debate between Robert Fisk and the author Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman ended The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival last night.

Bloody roots of the classic murder mystery revealed

'Wild Eden Project' planned for Bristol

A £70m plan to create one of the world's most radical zoos on the outskirts of Bristol is set to do for wildlife what the Eden Project did for plantlife. Jerome Taylor reports

Pachyderms phone home

Dentists face curbs on abuse of salary system

The Department of Health is planning a crackdown on dentists who have been "exploiting" the system to maximise their incomes, denying thousands of patients access to treatment, The Independent has learnt.

The Ten Best Diaries

Don't lose track of an instant with these fine diaries.

Michael Grade: Now TV's golden age is over, ITV must be allowed to compete

There are seismic shifts underway in broadcasting, and Ofcom's report concurs with iTV's own analysis: the old regulatory regime has run its course. A new settlement needs to be formulated, it needs to be done urgently, and it needs to be implemented before the end of 2012.

American space tourist Richard Garriott became the first second- generation American to go into space, 30 years after his father, Owen

Astronaut follows father into space

When the American astronaut Owen Garriott photographed Earth from the Skylab space station in 1973 he never would have thought that three decades later his son, Richard, would follow him.

State schools failing to find governors

State schools are short of 40,000 governors, according to a report being published today. inner-city schools have been worst hit by the crisis, with few parents volunteering to come forward to help run them, say researchers at Bath University.

Lamont: 'I would have given the Bank of England different guidelines when it became independent'

Norman Lamont: You Ask The Questions

The Former Chancellor of the Exchequer answers your qusetions, such as 'What would you be doing differently if you were Chancellor in this crisis?'

Nerina as Lise in 'La Fille mal gardee' at Covent Garden in 1960

Nadia Nerina: Ballerina whose effortless and dazzling virtuosity made her a favourite of Frederick Ashton

Nadia Nerina's most famous role is so popular that any other ballerina would have sold her soul for the same chance of creating it. She was the adorable, mischievous Lise, the delinquent daughter determined to marry the man of her choice and heroine of La Fille mal gard�e.

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