The sugary-sweet ice-cream shades that arrive each spring have come on in leaps and bounds since the streaky, Tipp-Ex-like formulations of old. And as such they are infinitely more mature than they may appear at first sight.

The murder highway that turns off into the French provinces

Been burning the candle at both ends? Here are the products that will leave you feeling fresh for the new year

Dexia gets a third bailout

Suzuki closes its US car business

A train company which has been forced to cancel hundreds of services due to a shortage of crew could face action from the Department for Transport (DfT), MPs were told.

Natalie Portman’s eyelashes have been the subject of intense scrutiny after a Christian Dior advert for mascara featuring the actress and the “miracle effects” of the makeup was banned for misleading consumers.

Technicolor talons in rainbow hues and pretty pastels will brighten your day even when the sun isn’t shining

NHS may charge within 10 years

Angela Knight, the formidable head of the British BankersAssociation, has added blogging to the various channels she uses to campaign on behalf of her members, increasingly posting pithy comments online.

The French security services broke the law on the orders of Élysée Palace last summer to try to halt a series of politically embarrassing leaks, it was alleged yesterday.

New book rekindles speculation about corruption in run-up to 2007 election

Three myths are being punctured: that higher levels of tax are a disincentive to the middle classes; that oligarchs will go elsewhere; that they won't bring in enough money