If you're interested in the direction of the 21st century, clearly the biggest political event taking place over the next few weeks is happening on November 8th. Not, not the American election. That's November 6th. We're talking about the ascension of Xi Jinping to the position of chief of China's ruling Communist Party, which means that he'll be President of China come March. That's a big deal. In their top leader this week, the super-brains of the Economist - where the average staff age, by the way, is 28 - explain why.

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Sir Norman Bettison should stand down now, according to the man who chaired his police authority until a fortnight ago.

Calling Danish men with small penises, this could be (sort of) your lucky day. An erotic website is hosting a competition to discover the tiniest piece of male genitalia in Denmark - and, in exchange for having their willy plastered across the web, the winner will receive an iPhone.

Kremlin officials like to insist that the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, does not care for big birthday bashes and that he was to spend his 60th birthday yesterday quietly celebrating with close friends and family in his home city, St Petersburg.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who has drawn scrutiny for his political activism, is opening the first North American retrospective exhibition of his work in Washington.

Job losses are set to be announced by a leading building products firm after a fall in demand.

As of 8 a.m. this morning, the most anticipated book of the year was available to read and review without the threat of walloping legal action. Hundreds of fans will be sneaking chapters on their loo-breaks. But has The Casual Vacancy cast a spell on critics?

The "Keep Calm and Carry On" meme, barely seen during wartime but rediscovered at the turn of the millennium, gained traction because it spoke to a mythologised idea of British fortitude and resilience.

For the main favourites, today's final stage on to the Champs Elysées is largely ceremonial. But for Mark Cavendish the long, slightly uphill sprint this afternoon is not just the chance of a fourth straight win on cycling's most famous boulevard – it also represents the World Champion's final dress-rehearsal for next Saturday's opening road-race of the Olympics.

Gunnar Sonsteby, code-named "Kjakan" ("The Chin"), was one of the most prominent members of the Norwegian resistance movement during the Nazi occupation and responsible for countless spectacular sabotage missions and acts of heroism.

Downing Street is delaying cutting the Army's strength by one-fifth because of unease over cuts to Scottish regiments, according to Whitehall officials.

In comics, novels and films, the modern cult of the 'New Gothic' reveals a keen hunger for non-religious rebirth.

There was only one dramatic moment when Anders Behring Breivik seemed to crack yesterday.

They're growing hysteria ... down on the farm