Outlook It has emerged that the Publicis/Omnicom merger was conceived at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January after a (figurative) roll in the snow between rival chief executives Maurice Lévy and John Wren.

Percy Yip began teaching his daughter Carissa to play chess in 2010. After just one year, she could beat him. Two years later, the Massachusetts schoolgirl has just become the youngest female on record to reach the US Chess Federation’s (USCF) “expert” level. Carissa is nine years old.

Britain's long-distance running machine misses out on 3,000m mark though win rewards adoring fans

Alasdair Fotheringham recalls the early bus stop, Thomas’ remarkable bravery and the power play that put Froome in yellow

An instinct for survival kept Tiger Woods’s chances of a fourth Open crown, and a first major title for five years, alive yesterday.

Members of the punk group Pussy Riot  have released  a new song and video where, wearing bright-coloured ski masks, they dance on an oil tanker.

If mountain air and lake views aren't enough, try zipping through the trees, says Lucy Fry

As Croatia joins the European Union, it is time Britons brushed up their knowledge about the country.

Briton cruises to victory in the Dauphiné but still launches final attack to help Sky team-mate

The villagers of Puy-Saint-Pierre in the French Alps are delighted. Marcel Amphoux has spoken from beyond the grave.

Pyrenean Poste

Outlook Tough times for Wolseley, the multinational plumbers merchant, whose upbeat performance in the UK and the US was tarnished by the continuing struggles of the construction industry in Europe.

West Indies 256-9 Australia 259-6 (Australia win by 4 wickets): All-rounder bounces back from 'career low' in India to show his quality ahead of The Ashes

On the day its first Dreamliner touched down in the UK, Tui Travel yesterday agreed a multi-billion-pound deal to buy more Boeing jets.