Business news 

Dragons’ Den judge exits Woolworths bid race

Theo Paphitis will not buy part of the collapsed high street chain after failing to reach an agreement on price

House prices fall at fastest pace in 25 years

Property values plunge 16.1 per cent, surpassing declines recorded in Britain's last recession during the early 1990s

• New car sales in November plunge 36.8%

• Emergency rescue for mortgage defaulters

New car sales in November plunge 37%

Dire industry figures could trigger further production cuts as carmakers appeal to Government for financial help

Sport News 

Pietersen 'confident' England will return to India

England captain insistent that Test series will go ahead despite fresh security concerns

• England united as return to India beckons

• England should feel at home in Abu Dhabi

Tevez hat-trick leaves Ince on the brink

Man United 5 Blackburn 3: visiting fans abuse their manager after Argentinian piles on misery with superb treble

The Rolling Maul: England hierarchy out of touch

Stephen Jones says Rob Andrew needs to get a grip on reality in his weekly e-mail

Comment 

Irresistible financial force will prevail

Economic paralysis seems like an immovable object. But dramatic interest rate cuts can shift it

• Anatole Kaletsky

Arrogant and joyless: Obama's take on Britain?

The President-elect's writings seem to be coloured by his grandfather's brutal treatment at the hands of the colonists

• Ben Macintyre

You're dumb if you think we're all dumber

The evidence is all around us that intellectual standards are rising and that we shouldn't believe the doom-mongers

• Tim de Lisle

Life and Style 

What's happened to the Latin lover?

Britain topped a poll for casual sex; Italy ranked 11th. So where does that leave the reputation of the Latin lothario?

Matters of life and text

If it's possible to amputate an arm via text message, what else can be achieved with the humble SMS? Our team found out

Lucia loves... rare and beautiful Christmas gifts

The best shops and websites for unusual presents, from ant habitats to cake stands, from photograph albums to fish

Arts & Entertainment 

Patti Smith's life on film

Age has not tamed the fiery musician's creative flame. But as a documentary of her life is made, she's happier than ever

Samuel L. Jackson terrifies in Lakeview Terrace

Samuel L. Jackson is a perfect monster, he gives a terrific performance as an embittered bully, marvels James Christopher

Madagascar Escape 2 Africa: four stars

The DreamWorks sequel is arguably more charming, with inventions that will delight adults and ironies that will thrill kids