There comes a moment in practically every Robert Edric novel when the setting (Victorian Cumberland, African jungle, dystopian future) melts away and some elemental human dilemmas begin to declare themselves.

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Britain's Princess Anne

Sex Pistols star Glen Matlock to headline 'anti-Jubilee' concert ... in aid of a charity run by the Princess Royal

Member of band which gave us 'God Save the Queen' to commemorate 1977 at alternative festival

Subtle depth of flavour: Old Vines Carignan 2008

Pedestrian zone will transform a 'flawed icon'

A new public realm to rival Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden will be created in an overhaul of London's iconic Centre Point tower under £350m plans by the developer Almacantar.

Piazza and apartments to bring new life to brutalist Centrepoint in £350m makeover

A new public realm to rival Trafalgar Square and Covent Garden will be created in an overhaul of Centre Point tower in London by the developer Almacantar.

Breakthrough announced in ageing genes study

Four "Father Time" genes that help determine how fast we age have been uncovered by scientists.

Lourdes Leon, daughter to Madonna

Trending: Insert your own 'Mama don't preach' headline

One can only imagine what it's like to be Lourdes Leon (above), daughter to Madonna and her erstwhile fitness coach Carlos Leon. Yes, she has a wardrobe to steal from, the private jets to swank about on, celebrity friends to boast about at school, etc.

Mugabe blows £600,000 on birthday party

Who said Robert Mugabe doesn't have friends? The President of Zimbabwe might have few allies on the global stage but thousands of supporters turned out for the finale of the week-long party celebrating the leader's 88th birthday.

Diary: 'Nasty man' lurks in background at Leveson

Ray Bellisario, one of the original paparazzi, who was annoying the royals when everyone else treated them with deference half a century ago, is not pleased with Lord Justice Leveson.

Album: Dodgy, Stand Upright in a Cool Place (Strike Back)

Sixteen years on from their last album, the second of this week's comebacks finds former Britpoppers Dodgy reborn in the form of Teenage Fanclub, plying winsome folk-rock harmonies of an American flavour, imbued with a gentle melancholy and the warmth of hard-won experience.

Average age of retirement increases

The average age of retirement has risen, official figures showed today, as those approaching state pension age struggle to pay for their later years.

No mod cons: Soneva Fushi in the Maldives offers guests
neither phones nor TVs. It's one of a new breed of
destinations where less (distraction) is more (relaxing)

'Black-hole' resorts: Turn up, tune out, log off

'Black-hole' resorts where mobiles are banned and the internet is anathema are set to be huge this year

Home from home: a scene from 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows a group of retirees moving to India to seek low-cost care, a gentler climate and a culture of respect for the elderly. For thousands of Britons, this is already a reality, discovers Sam Judah

Home from home: a scene from 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows a group of retirees moving to India to seek low-cost care, a gentler climate and a culture of respect for the elderly. For thousands of Britons, this is already a reality

Eurozone debt crisis threatens UK economy, says think-tank

Chancellor George Osborne has scope for temporary tax cuts of up to £20 billion in his March Budget to boost growth, a respected economic think tank said today.

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The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in
The real thing? Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'

The real thing?

Historian publishes Coca Cola's 'secret formula'
Gordon Ramsey's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makover refuseniks fight back
Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Join Ryanair! See the world! But we're only paying you for nine months a year

Glamorous myth of the flight attendant lifestyle undermined by angry employee's claims of 'exploitation'
Braising saddles: Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it!

Braising saddles: How to cook horse meat

Did the recent furore scupper sales of horse meat? Neigh, far from it! Will Coldwell hoofs it to the kitchen.
Why bitters are back on the bar: A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails

Why bitters are back on the bar

A few little drops pack a big punch in cocktails. No wonder we're learning to love them again...
The 10 Best barbecues

The 10 Best barbecues

Whether you're cooking on gas or are a convert to charcoal we've got the perfect way to cook when the sun is out.
Style icon David Beckham calls time on his long retirement

Style icon calls time on his long retirement

David Beckham never disgraced himself but former England captain ceased to be a major player years ago. Remember him at his United peak
Steve Harper: My darkest times

Steve Harper: My darkest times

As the popular Newcastle goalkeeper bows out after 20 years at the club, he tells Martin Hardy about the private battle with depression that threatened his career
Sir Torquil Norman has designed a flat-pack OX truck for the developing world

The flat-pack truck with big ambitions

After making a fortune from Polly Pocket and a doll's house shaped like a teapot, the entrepreneur has turned his creativity to a transporter truck for the developing world. Simon Usborne meets him.