A landowner has offended villagers by launching a clean-up campaign with posters reading "Don't be a tosser! Take your litter home".

An anti-corruption campaigner has vowed to emulate the tactics of Mahatma Gandhi and fill India’s jails with supporters if his demand for the introduction of an all-powerful ombudsman is not met.

Corruption in India is a way of life. But finally it is being challenged thanks to the resolve of an extraordinary 74-year-old.

Notebook

The blinding of her tormentor would not have given Bahremi back her eyesight, or her job, but she had a point

'The train to Mumbai was so overwhelming'

So much to learn, so little time... In every publisher's catalogue, you'll find the slenderest volumes on the biggest subjects. But huge concepts can't simply be boiled down into bite-size books, argues John Walsh

India suddenly seems keen on banning books. The Justice Minister, Moodbidri Veerappa Moily, is considering legislation to protect Mahatma Gandhi from "insults". This has been prompted by a new biography of the Indian independence leader that suggests Gandhi might have been bisexual. Gujarat, the state where the Mahatma was born, has already banned the book.

The authorities in India are considering making it a criminal offence to insult Mahatma Gandhi after a new biography sparked fresh speculation about his sexual preferences and suggested he once made racist comments.

The recent civil uprisings against tyranny in countries such as Syria and Egypt has brought into question the ethics of certain companies operating in countries run by dictatorships.

Ben Elton has bombed in Australia: cue mocking laughter and smug chortles. Australians, chippy at the best of times about Pom entertainers trying to make it in their country, will feel vindicated that the sketch show Ben Elton: Live From Planet Earth has been pulled after three episodes. Over here, there will be joy among the various groups of people who are happy to see Elton fail – those who feel he betrayed his lefty, alternative roots, those who found it unforgiveable that he worked with Andrew Lloyd-Webber, those simply irritated by his cheery grin and mockney accent.

He was never going to be the romantic lead, but his brilliant supporting roles have cemented his place as one of Britain's best-loved character actors. Paul Bignell meets Richard Griffiths

Every politician talks of building a better tomorrow. But who will actually be in charge in 20 years' time? Our foreign correspondents meet the promising young men and women from around the world who are already on the path to power

From the most controversial films ever to the most scandalous book bannings, your tastes this year have tended heavily towards the contentious and the profane.