top stories

Markets rally as Ben Bernanke backs further quantitative easing

Federal Reserve chief makes clear he has no intention of cutting short $85bn-a-month stimulus programme in near future




US pushes Europe to amend arms embargo on Syrian rebels

John Kerry seeks support for British-led move as means of pressuring Bashar al-Assad to enter into peace negotiations




Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers expects quick decision on Andy Carroll

• Manager cools on swap with Newcastle's Hatem Ben Arfa
• Striker harbours doubts on West Ham after £15m offer




Chelsea ask Galatasaray if Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz is for sale

• Turkish champions value Yilmaz at more than £20m
• Romelu Lukaku may be loaned out again by Chelsea





 
 
 
features

Top 10 walks on Skye

From gentle strolls along Skye's stunning coastline to scrambles up the Cuillin – the most rugged and challenging mountain range in Britain – walkers are spoilt for choice on the island. Experts from Walkhighlands choose their favourites

Top 10 walks in Lochalsh

• Know a great walk in the area? Add your recommendation in the comments below




Country diary: Crook, County Durham: I've often seen bees infested with mites, but rarely one so heavily laden

Crook, County Durham: I was tempted to relieve it of its burden with a fine brush. But perhaps that would have been a mistake




Yasmine Hamdan: the modern face of Arabic music

Raised in devastated Beirut, electro popster Yasmine Hamdan has become the modern face of Arabic music. Laura Barton meets her in Maidstone




David Cameron tries to placate the swivel-eyed loons with his natural leadership skills

Tory activists are incensed. But surely a message of thanks and appreciation will calm them down





 
 
 
Politics

US pushes Europe to amend arms embargo on Syrian rebels

John Kerry seeks support for British-led move as means of pressuring Bashar al-Assad to enter into peace negotiations




Woolwich attack: meat cleaver, knife and jihadist claims filmed on mobile

• British soldier dead in suspected terror attack in London
• Knife attack near barracks 'an eye for an eye', says suspect
• Killing in street is 'absolutely sickening' says prime minister




Woolwich attack: lone wolf and jihadist theories will occupy security forces

Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre will convene, in wake of killing and al-Qaida martyrdom video rhetoric heard on London street





 
 
 
local government

Does your political party listen to you? Readers respond | The people's panel

Five grassroots members tell us how they're treated, following the reported 'swivel-eyed loons' remark about Tory party activists




Labour plans to give local councils a say in welfare spending

Radical scheme will look at giving regional bodies a say how billions of pounds are spent to try to cut benefits bill




Eddie Izzard – the marathon man who would be mayor of London

The comedian and actor says he is seeking nomination as the Labour candidate for London's mayoral election. And his form as a multiple marathon runner shows he won't give up lightly




Union with Ukip's England? Spare us | Kevin McKenna

Nationalists should be making an equitable immigration policy a central policy plank





 
 
 
Business

Fed chairman Ben Bernanke: stimulus programme not creating 'bubbles'

Stock markets rise after Federal Reserve head tells Congress quantitive easing to continue and criticises government cuts




Google's Eric Schmidt believes one company is an island

A slip of the tongue by Google's executive chairman speaks volumes about his perception of the company's tax obligations




Google boss calls for a 'rational and predictable international tax system'

Eric Schmidt rejects Ed Miliband's criticisms of tax affairs, saying firm fears being 'double or quadruple taxed' under any changes





 
 
 
Culture

Man Booker International prize goes to (very) short-story writer Lydia Davis

Stories by much-acclaimed American writer, some just a sentence long, praised for vigilance 'down to the very word'




Can you make Charlie Higson's new zombie book trailer?

Author of The Enemy zombie series Charlie Higson is looking for a young film maker to create a gory trailer for his new book – could it be you?




Sharon Osbourne returns to X Factor panel

Osbourne, who was last a judge on the show six years ago, will replace Tulisa Contostavlos





 
 
 
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