They were sent to take delivery of loads of toilet paper, bottled water and waving Chinese cats

One of Europe's highest-profile fund managers caught in Italy

Advertising has crept into everyday life so subtly that we now forget to be outraged - this is a case of corporate identity replacing female identity

Ezra Klein of the Washington Post is one of the most eminently readable of all East Coast commentators. He picks up the now familiar theme that Obama's first term was a kind of consolidation of America - in which a base was put underneath an economy in freefall - and that his second term will try to radically change American society.

Whether Christmas will be spent in your own home or someone else’s make sure you’re well dressed when Santa pops in

If you hate having your picture taken, you're in good company - supermodel Kate Moss does as well.

Marks & Spencer launched a huge, up-to-half-price sale earlier this week, which discounts selected items both in-store and online. The sale includes free delivery to more than 450 M&S stores in the UK, with many of the best buys available in the men's, women's and children's fashion departments. Outside of clothing there are some good offers on M&S homeware. Pay particular attention to the glassware section, where a floral bubble jug has been reduced from £22.50 to £15, and Marcel Wanders Martini glasses are available for just £5.

The online clothes retailer La Redoute is offering 25 per cent off all full-price items in its Autumn-Winter 2012 and Spring-Summer 2012 collections until Sunday 7 October.

Former Arsenal player and Sweden captain Freddie Ljungberg has decided to retire from soccer, his press adviser told Swedish television on Friday.

 After a winter of limited repertory, English National Ballet burst into spring with two ambitious programmes. The Beyond Ballets Russes season starts with a new ballet, new designs and some bright performances. The new Firebird doesn’t take off, but Erina Takahashi is a blazing Chosen One in The Rite of Spring.

Loud, proud and printed with everything from polka dots to flowers, there’s a pair out there for everyone

My parents were ... brought up Methodists. My mother had an enduringly complicated relationship with the material world which I have inherited, along with my father's appetite for absolute quality.