Business news 

M&S fires new shot in Christmas price war

Retailer will hold a second 20% one-day sale in the latest high street battle to lure cash-strapped customers

US stocks gyrate on services and jobs gloom

Volatility hits market as figures show services sector shrank at record pace and 250,000 jobs were cut in November

BA premium passenger numbers slump 10.8%

UK flag carrier, in merger talks with Australia's Qantas, reveals a fall in flyers after refusing to cut ticket prices

Sport News 

Rowing awarded bigger budget than athletics

Athletics sees funding decrease as UK Sport concentrated on past medal successes in preparation for London 2012

• Analysis: Matthew Syed

• Government spends final £50m on Games

Wenger: youngsters have much to learn

Arsenal manager admits his players suffered from a lack of focus during their Carling Cup defeat by Burnley last night

Andrew urges England fans to be patient

Martin Johnson 'must be given time' as the RFU attempts to rebuild the academy structure and produce stars of the future

Comment 

Better services without reform?

This is a time for creative innovation, not rigid belief that statistics can show us answers to our problems

• Daniel Finkelstein

And now for something far more important

The raid on Damian Green's office was high farce, not constitutional disaster. MPs should address weightier matters

• Alice Miles

The police are being handcuffed by rules

Strict procedures and guidelines leave officers unable to do their jobs - just like social workers

• Magnus Linklater

Life and Style 

Students: All my own work? Well, not quite

As students prepare their UCAS applications, some may be tempted to pay essay-writing companies to help them to gain a place at university

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

Let it glow, let it glow, let it glow

Displaying Christmas lights outside your house takes time, money - and a thick skin. So why do people do it?

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

Four stars for Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

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