Towel? Check. Glasses? Check. Fine-tooth bone saw? Mustn't forget that. Leonardo Da Vinci, artist, scientist and keen dissector, was also fond of the to-do list. An example, from a 16th-century notebook, goes on display at Buckingham Palace next month. It includes a packing list for a study trip, as well as reminders to, among other things, "get anatomy books bound" and, "find a human skull".

This fascinating Atlantic outpost combines colonial history with great beaches, as Simon Calder reveals.

A new exhibition of star-hunter photos, faux movie star poses and archive magazine images turns the lens on our celebrity culture

1. Opec.

Last year Josie Long mixed whimsy with political awakening.

Our writer on the wit and wisdom of Robert Robinson

Up to 2,000 new jobs could be created after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary announced a raft of new routes from Manchester Airport.

An album signed by John Lennon hours before he was shot dead has fetched £23,750 at auction.

Steven Tyler hopes his autobiography will "jump start" Aerosmith into performing together again.

Peel Holdings, the property group behind the MediaCityUK, has made an £88m takeover approach for Pinewood Shepperton, where the James Bond and Harry Potter franchises are filmed.

"She comes alive when she's dying", sings Alison Mosshart on "Damned if You Do", a spirit of last-gasp jubilance that infects the latest from the fashion-pack rockers, who skimmed the zeitgeist sometime back in 2005.

Scot rues side's ban during his first spell as Liverpool manager but regrets the Heysel tragedy even more

Grizzly Bear, Daft Punk and Phoenix are the latest acts to compose music for films, bringing their hipster cachet with them. It's a mutually beneficial collaboration, says Gillian Orr

Jim Naughtie's Atonement moment concerning the Culture Minister has titillated the Twittersphere all week. I saw him that evening and commented that the slip-up would probably dog him for the next three months. "The rest of my life, more like," he replied gloomily.