As a student at Cornell he was a leader in the youth wing of the Communist Party of the USA

Over 100 historians claim Education Secretary’s plan ‘lacks balance and promotes political views’

There are already several great female characters in Dr Who. What's truly special about the long-running programme is what an unusual role model it offers for boys

George Osborne suffered an embarrassing rebuff last night after peers threw out his plan for employees to sign away their legal rights in return for receiving shares in their companies worth as little as £2,000.

Britain's view of its involvement in slavery is that we abolished the slave trade and we abolished slavery, and that we were the first nation to do either of these things.

At first hearing, this bare-bones duo between star saxophonist Lloyd and the much younger pianist from his regular band can seem like typical old-geezer chamber jazz: amiable but underpowered.

Sources close to Nick Clegg say he is determined to stop Michael Gove's plans

The broadcaster must think of its audience over "completist" concerns. Plus, the joys of an underwhelming exhibit at the British Library

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The second inaugural address has rarely been memorable. Save for Abraham Lincoln’s, which struck a series of soaring notes, including “Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty source of war may speedily pass away”, they are fraught with difficulty.

Never mind the Western, or black experience – this tale is all about how white people love to talk

Comment

Like his tough protagonist, Dave Robicheaux, James Lee Burke is a man of passionate temper. His contemptuous anger over the lacklustre response of George W Bush to the devastation of Burke’s beloved New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina was incorporated into his writing. That rage is back again.

We are delighted to announce that The Independent on Sunday has taken seven – yes, SEVEN! – titles at the European Newspaper Awards, which celebrate the very best in newspaper design. There were more than 230 entries from 25 countries, and The IoS won more awards than any other British paper.