A high time with the eco-terrorists

The pugnacious chef finally met a shambolic restaurant he couldn't save. John Walsh on when TV makeover refuseniks fight back

Did it change the world, or just distract us for a day or two? Richard Askwith introduces our look-back at the past 12 months.

Last week, a war was declared in Paris. The mayor has taken it upon his council to wipe out all cigarette butts that litter his city's streets.

When I was not quite 15, my dad, who was the kindest of fathers, decided that I should learn what 'real' work meant. He was a trade union leader, head of what is now the PCS – the Public and Commercial Services Union – having come to that brand of socialism via a youthful commitment to communism. His particular union served that branch of the public sector which included office cleaners. Indeed, it was his proud boast that he had been responsible for unionising the public sector cleaners.

Those who stayed behind in Atlantic City to ride out Hurricane Sandy emerged from waterlogged homes and hiding places a little after 10 a.m. Tuesday to find the largest crowds jostling for position in front of the 24/7 Food Market.

Jamie Oliver has said that thousands of napkins go missing every month at his Jamie's Italian chain and that he's been forced to weld the handles to his loos.

Surely it's not the end of Sesame Street?

California will become the first US state to ban a controversial form of psychotherapy aimed at making gay teenagers straight.

A first outing in 20 years by the sometime Eagle, goodtimey master of the slugging riff and the sardonic aside.

The 17-year-old who killed a pensioner during last year’s rioting in London has been locked up for eight years.

Moshi Monsters started life as virtual characters on a children's website but now they're taking over the real world, thanks to toys, stickers – and now their own album

A 17-year-old boy today admitted killing a pensioner during last summer's riots.