The political landscape in the United States is set to lose one of its most outspoken  - and polarising - characters with the announcement by Tea Party heroine Michele Bachmann that she will not be seeking re-election to the House of Representatives in her Minnesota constituency in next year’s mid-term elections.

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Daily Mail columnist Melanie Phillips has launched a range of products and merchandise

Phillips launches ‘Brand Melanie’ as she tries to become the darling of the American right

Right-wing columnist launches her own branded merchandise as she takes on the American market

Marco Rubio, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been in the right place at the right time

Page 3 Profile: Marco Rubio, the Republican Party Senator for Florida

Isn't he the next Republican presidential candidate?

4 (3) Adam Afriyie, 44, Conservative, Windsor

Adam Afriyie? Good luck to him. He'll need it

The Sunday papers were buzzing with news that Britain's alleged answer to Barack Obama is launching an audacious bid to topple David Cameron. But, er, who is he?

Amy Poehler was great success on Golden Globes - but who is she?

Tina Fey and Poehler replaced Ricky Gervais as this year's hosts. But unlike Fey, her blond counterpart is relatively unknown this side of the pond

The next female Prime Minister is closer than you think

As of this January, woman will occupy more seats than ever in the US Congress. Various theories abound as to why this is, most popularly, that controversial Republican comments on rape and abortion sparked a backlash, but Jennifer Lawless of American University has a better idea: media bias against women is on the decline.

REACTION: Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan Vice Presidential debate

Debates between Vice Presidential candidates typically draw in half the audience of their presidential counterparts - but those who did settle down last night to Joe Biden vs. Paul Ryan were treated to a classic. And, this time, the Democrats didn't take a pasting. We round-up the morning's reaction.

Page 3 Profile: Bird Bird, the sage of Sesame Street

Surely it's not the end of Sesame Street?

Simon Calder: Fast track to the last great frontier

The man who pays his way

Never mind Paul Ryan's policies, check out those pecs

Interest in Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney's vice-presidential running mate, is understandably at an all-time high. But it appears that Americans aren't particularly intrigued by his policies – instead, they want his abs. After "Paul Ryan budget", the top search term on Google for articles about the Republican candidate is "Paul Ryan shirtless". The 42-year-old used the P90X video workout – which apparently takes 90 days of exercise and good nutrition to turn you from a Mr Creosote to a preening Adonis – to craft his enviable physique. Its year-on-year sales have doubled in the past week.

Matthew Norman: Has Barack Obama just been handed victory on a plate?

Romney may wish to frame the election as a choice about the budget. But the true battle is ideological

Paul Ryan went solo for the first time yesterday as vice presidential candidate to-be

Paul Ryan flies solo for the first time as he takes on Barack Obama in a key swing state

Having fulfilled his initial task of providing a sorely needed jolt of excitement to the Republican faithful, Paul Ryan today went solo for the first time as vice presidential candidate-to-be, taking on Barack Obama directly in one of the key swing states in November’s election.

US political pundits begin scouring Wikipedia pages for hints over the identity of Mitt Romney's pick for potential Vice President

Breathe easy, Donald Trump is not going to be the Republican running mate in the presidential election and has no chance of ever being one heartbeat away from controlling America’s nuclear codes. We know this because his profile on Wikipedia, the encyclopaedia site, hasn’t been touched in weeks.

Suicidal thoughts make Springsteen a better role model than happier folk

Tim Lott: You've got to fight for your right to frown

Our writer is sceptical about those who find it easy to be happy

BBC drama Sherlock wins Critics' Choice Television Award

BBC sleuth drama Sherlock, its star Benedict Cumberbatch and TV presenter Cat Deeley have won top gongs at a US awards ceremony.

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Babies behind bars: A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail

Babies behind bars

A Palestinian fertility doctor has become an unlikely hero by helping women conceive – even though their husbands are in jail
Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm for under 25s

Sonic youth: The high-pitched sound alarm

Is Mosquito, the alarm only under-25s can hear, a blessing or a bane?
The art of living in small spaces: Architects are learning how to make less, more

The art of living in small spaces

Space in cities at a premium so architects are learning how to make less, more...
Special report: The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

The story of Sir Mervyn King's reign at the Bank

After four 'nice' years as Governor of Bank of England, things turned decisively nasty
Zombie nation: Our enduring fascination with a world full of death and destruction

Zombie nation: Our fascination with death and destruction

A new season of shows on Radio 4 is inspired by dark tales of future dystopias. Meanwhile, zombies are marauding in the multiplexes...
Martin Stephen: 'Ofsted says comprehensives are failing the most able but teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

'Teaching bright children isn't rocket science'

It doesn't take a selective system to nurture the best minds, says a former head of St Paul's boys' school.
The retail empires strike back: Can new technology lure us back to the high street?

Can technology lure us back to the high street?

The high street has been bruised and battered by online firms but in-store technology is helping to enliven the retail experience...
The 10 Best new smartphones

The 10 Best new smartphones

Photos, films, music, apps and browsing - the latest mobiles can do it all
Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

Jenson Button: Downbeat driver cannot wait to put season behind him

McLaren man admits 'failed gamble' with car has left him pinning hopes on 2014 campaign
James Lawton: Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe

James Lawton

Firmer fist will be required to win Champions Trophy final battle with stouter foe
'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong': The true effect of the badger cull

The true effect of the badger cull

'To farm I have to rape the countryside. It’s got to be wrong'
Theatre review: Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's The Cripple of Inishmaan

First night: The Cripple of Inishmaan

Daniel Radcliffe gives an admirably honest performance in Michael Grandage's comedy
Girls Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

Guides drop religious reference but pledge to self and the Queen

After 103 years, organisation changes oath to welcome 'all girls, of all faiths, and none'
Steve Tongue: Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago

Steve Tongue

Joe Kinnear was one of the boys and a breath of fresh air... 21 years ago
Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Bradley Wiggins' exit

Chris Froome: Free from 'pain in neck' after Wiggins' exit

Sky's lead rider says he is in fantastic form for the Tour and happy pecking order debate is over