Business news 

Fashion boost for John Lewis sales

Summer clearance prompts slight increase in sales after eight weeks of negative growth at department store group

Rentokil shares plunge on fourth profits warning

Rat catcher's new managers blame previous owners for four warnings in seven months, sending shares down 32%

Bankers throw lifeline to stricken Southern Cross

UK's largest care homes operator is allowed to extend loan facilities until October to enable property assets sale

Sport News 

Steyn ruled out of third Test at Edgbaston

South Africa paceman misses game with a broken thumb and is also a doubt for fourth Test at the Oval

Capello denies 'retirement plans'

The Italian has denied that he wants to finish in 2010, but has confirmed that the England job will be his last in football

• Capello says days as spectator are numbered

• Capello given plenty to think about

Liverpool close to £18m Keane deal, Barry in limbo

Irish forward on verge of sealing transfer to Anfield, though his move could be bad news for Gareth Barry

Comment 

Labour is lucky. They can ditch him

Ditching Brown could be the difference between honorable defeat and wipeout at the next election

• Matthew Parris

We all dream of leaving, but it's hard to go

The cases of the Darwins and Radovan Karadzic show that it's no simple thing just to drop everything and vanish

• Janice Turner

Paying for downloads is like buying air

The record industry is as outdated as shipbuilding. Artists no longer need it to get their music out

• Bob Stanley

Life & Style 

Are you an over-protective parent?

Are you constantly fretting about your kids? Controversial sociologist Frank Furedi asks parents to stop worrying so much

Is pain all in the mind?

New research shows why some people are better at coping with pain than others

Gordon Ramsay's exotic salads

The chef discovers new flavours on holidays that combine into cool and interesting combinations. Three recipes to try

Arts & Entertainment 

Loudon Wainwright's family affair

The Wainwright family history has kept three songwriters in material. Loudon Wainwright III reflects on their difficulties

Michelle Yeoh: mighty silk and steel

Crouching Tiger brought her huge fame but there is more to Michelle Yeoh than high-kicking stunts, says James Mottram

The Bad Film Club: so bad they’re good

An evening that brings together people who choose to watch the worst of all movies for fun? Insanity! Wendy Ide reports