When Chris Christie briefly considered a bid for the White House in 2011, many suggested the popular New Jersey Governor was too fat to be President. However, if he decides to run in 2016 his weight may be less of a burden; in an interview with the New York Post, Christie has revealed that he underwent secret gastric-band surgery earlier this year, and observers say it is already paying off.

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Actress Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan calls rehab a 'blessing' on David Letterman show

Lindsay Lohan has called her time in rehab a “blessing”.

Changing of the guard: late-night hosts Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon to replace Jay Leno as Tonight show host after 22-year stint

The landscape of America’s late-night television is about to shift, after Jay Leno, host of NBC’s Tonight show for 22 years, confirmed he would depart in spring 2014, to be replaced by the more youthful Jimmy Fallon.

Lindsey Vonn is airlifted to hospital

Lindsey Vonn to undergo surgery after serious crash that saw her airlifted from mountain

The American skiier lost control at the World Championships in Schladming

Lindsey Vonn is airlifted to hospital

Skiing poster girl Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious crash

American skier has been romantically linked with Tiger Woods

Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones at the Kennedy Center awards

Led Zeppelin get a whole lotta love from President Barack Obama

They may have been sitting down in their tuxes rather than tearing across the stage in their flares, but in the words of Barack Obama: “Guys who are not completely youthful can still rock.”

London Boris Johnson poses with the bronze statue of a bull outside the Bombay Stock Exchange

Boris Johnson praises India tax regime as he urges cut in UK top rate

The Chancellor George Osborne should think about cutting the top rate of income tax, Boris Johnson said today as he praised India for having a more attractive regime for entrepreneurs.

Page 3 Profile: Thomas Arne, Composer of Rule, Britannia!

Don't you mean Edward Elgar?

David Cameron visits Brazil to boost trade links

Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting Brazil today on a trip to boost UK trade links with one of the world's fastest growing economies.

'London created America' Boris Johnson tells Letterman

Mayor says he has "as much chance of being reincarnated as an olive" as he has of being Prime Minister

From Zeros to heroes... the rise and rise of a superband

If you have seen Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, you will know they are the next big thing. As they tour the festivals of Europe, Sarah Morrison meets them in Paris

Screen Talk: Royal flush

Fox Searchlight has marked a comedy spec script from Easy A writer Bert Royal with a gold star.

Caught in the Net: Old-school beats from Barcelona

Comedian, actress and ideas guru Anna Faris is also a movie producer selling ideas around town. Faris just sold an untitled comedy pitch to Paramount based on a funny incident that happened to her in real life.

The Reading List: Stand-up comedy

Last week UK comics voted Daniel Kitson the funniest man in Britain. But what books should budding stand-ups not put down?

Steven Tyler thinks idols need time to succeed

Steven Tyler doesn't think 'American Idol' is the best way to find new musical talent.

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Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

Special report: How my father's face turned up in Robert Capa's lost suitcase

The great war photographer was not one person but two. Their pictures of Spain's civil war, lost for decades, tell a heroic tale
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The unmade speech: An alternative draft of history

Someone, somewhere has to write speeches for world leaders to deliver in the event of disaster. They offer a chilling hint at what could have been
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Funny business: Meet the women running comedy

Think comedy’s a man's world? You must be stuck in the 1980s, says Holly Williams
Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

Wilko Johnson: 'You have to live for the minute you're in'

The Dr Feelgood guitarist talks frankly about his terminal illness
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Lure of the jingle

Entrepreneurs are giving vintage ice-cream vans a new lease of life
Who stole the people's own culture?

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True popular art drives up from the streets, but the commercial world wastes no time in cashing in
Guest List: The IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Guest List: IoS Literary Editor suggests some books for your summer holiday

Before you stuff your luggage with this year's Man Booker longlist titles, the case for some varied poolside reading alternatives
What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

Rupert Cornwell: What if Edward Snowden had stayed to fight his corner?

The CIA whistleblower struck a blow for us all, but his 1970s predecessor showed how to win
'A man walks into a bar': Comedian Seann Walsh on the dangers of mixing alcohol and stand-up

Comedian Seann Walsh on alcohol and stand-up

Comedy and booze go together, says Walsh. The trouble is stopping at just the one. So when do the hangovers stop being funny?
From Edinburgh to Hollywood (via the Home Counties): 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Edinburgh to Hollywood: 10 comedic talents blowing up big

Hugh Montgomery profiles the faces to watch, from the sitcom star to the surrealist
'Hello. I have cancer': When comedian Tig Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on

Comedian Tig Notaro: 'Hello. I have cancer'

When Notaro discovered she had a tumour she decided the show must go on
They think it's all ova: Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Bill Granger's Asia-influenced egg recipes

Our chef made his name cooking eggs, but he’s never stopped looking for new ways to serve them
The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

The world wakes up to golf's female big hitters

With its own Tiger Woods - South Korea's Inbee Park - the women's game has a growing audience
10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

10 athletes ready to take the world by storm in Moscow next week

Here are the potential stars of the World Championships which begin on Saturday
The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

The Last Word: Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale's art of manipulation

Briefings are off the record leading to transfer speculation which is merely a means to an end