Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is to create 550 jobs in the UK as it steps up its expansion plans after a year of record sales and store openings.

A fresh numerical start and a new land to explore are just two of the reasons why we're getting excited.

Willie Mullins has described Boston Bob as a match for any novice he has ever brought to the Festival, which guarantees he will start a hot favourite for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle today. It would be no surprise to see him look a Gold Cup winner in the making, but the odds will be very short about a horse running on quick ground for the first time.

Mitt Romney will be able to boast his way forward in the Republican nomination campaign today after scoring a respectable tally of states in last night’s ‘Super Tuesday’ contests. But a squeaker in Ohio where he dodged a bullet told the alternative story that he is still struggling to seal the deal with the party grassroots.

For Dwain Chambers, the key battle has yet to come in 2012. Still, as he awaits the Court of Arbitration for Sport's definitive ruling on the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban on doping offenders – due to be announced before the end of April – the world indoor 60 metres champion is up and running in London Olympic year.

Out of America: One of the oddest aspects of the Republican race is how little mention there is of the favourite's faith

There’s an understandable perception that Evan Dando blew it.

Conservative members of Grand Old Party remain unwilling to settle for Mitt Romney

Terry Boston had three careers – in broadcasting, the law and politics – for which his principal passion was the third.

You could be forgiven for thinking it's summer.

Rolling up his trouser legs to show off the bruises, Jimmy described how he had been stopped by four men and beaten with an iron bar last week. It was the second time he had been attacked in a month, having fallen foul of a group of recently arrived fellow Lithuanians.

One of America's most wanted men is finally under lock and key, after a long-running FBI manhunt ended with the arrest of James "Whitey" Bulger, the mob boss whose improbable life story inspired Martin Scorsese's Oscar-winning film The Departed.

James 'Whitey' Bulger, a notorious Boston gangster on the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' list for his alleged role in 19 murders, was captured yesterday near Los Angeles after living on the run for 16 years, authorities said.