Rail commuters and Tube travellers were hit by delays to morning rush-hour services today.

Readers, an apology. Those of you who regularly visit this column might by now have noticed a certain world-weariness – for while it is our raison d'être to celebrate the new, it is also our duty to report on the failings and foibles that more often than not turn those celebrations sour.

The fashion world was left reeling tonight by the death of celebrated British designer Alexander McQueen.

Home And Away

After 30 years of being mistaken for him, The Independent's music critic Andy Gill meets the Gang of Four's Andy Gill to discuss a shared passion for pop powered by ideas

The £90m loss-making parent group is considering closing the Sunday paper. Ex-editor Jonathan Fenby reveals its difficult relationship with 'The Guardian'

Gordon Brown cast the cares of the Westminster expenses scandal aside for a while today by celebrating the start of major construction work on the £16 billion cross-London Crossrail scheme.

With many eateries struggling, this might not seem the ideal moment to enter the restaurant trade. But with spring in the air, it is all about new beginnings as a clutch of establishments open their doors.

Among this season's musical micro-trends is the kooky young female singer-songwriter: a scene in search of the next Bat for Lashes. Lykke Li and Florence and the Machine are fine examples, and I recently saw The Mummers, aka Raissa Khan-Panni and friends, play a brief but promising showcase for their upcoming mini-album, Tale to Tell (Part One), presenting a repertoire that owes much to Björk and, hmmm... Judy Garland?

Confidential police information about undercover officers and key witnesses in a massive drugs operation was found dumped in a bin.

Chris Moore has been photographing the international fashion shows for more than 50 years. On the first day of haute couture week in Paris, the 'King of the Catwalk' reveals his trade secrets

The paper has been accused of politicking to oust Ken Livingstone. Far from it, says Andrew Gilligan. It was just reporting the truth

Illustrator and so-called 'socialite' Daisy de Villeneuve explains why she has crammed her London flat with so much colourful memorabilia

London's skyline has already undergone dramatic change. But two developments are accelerating the transformation from historic capital to modern metropolis. Jay Merrick reports