The far right is on the rise, in Europe as in the US. We don't need Marine Le Pen's surprise vote of 18 per cent in the first round of the French presidentials to tell us that. What it does tell us, however, and what has been so little understood so far, is the extent to which the far right has become part of the mainstream of politics, changing itself from the neo-fascist beliefs it espoused in the past to something much more moderated in its language as in its policies.

A Labour-run council in east London has been accused of ‘social cleansing’ after it revealed plans to move some of its poorest residents as far away as Stoke-on-Trent.

Cathy Freeman flew across the other side of the world to prepare for the 400m at a home Olympics – to train with Donna Fraser at Eton. Christine Ohuruogu has only gone to Los Angeles, and as part of a British training squad (Freeman's was a solo mission). Still, the East End girl who struck gold in the one lap event in Beijing in 2008, would rather like to sneak under the radar ahead of the London Olympics if at all possible.

If all the world's a fair, here is its creator

Sale Sharks are poised to announce a ground-sharing move with Super League club Salford City Reds.

The Islamist gunman who killed seven people before being shot dead by police was buried in Toulouse yesterday after the city's mayor dropped a refusal to permit the ceremony.

In 2002, she came second in France's presidential election. After the deaths in Toulouse, how much better might the new National Front leader do?

An adulterous affair lies at the heart of Anne Enright's novel, her first since her Man Booker win in 2007. The storyline might be a classic one but, like Flaubert, Enright has created an entirely believable world in which nobody is entirely sure of their own motives.

At the New Zealand International Arts Festival, Jo Nesbo was asked how he felt about being called "the new Stieg Larsson". With characteristic wryness he replied: "It could have been worse - I could have been the new Dan Brown."

Bite mark on victim's arm provides crucial DNA evidence after cold case review

A Mexican immigrant who had a romantic relationship with an Arizona sheriff has filed a $1m (£635,000) notice of claim against him and the county.

Cafe customers in new Broadcasting House building can gaze straight into newsroom

In Lithuania – where once even the Nazis had to avert their gaze – swastikas now have legal blessing