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Who's killing cock robin? Activists accuse Cyprus

Conservationists raise alarm over illegal slaughter of migrating songbirds on Mediterranean island

Vatican defends sainthood move for wartime pope

After Jewish protests, Holy See says Pius XII is being honoured for his piety rather than for 'historical importance'

Navy hero’s family massacred in revenge attack

Mourning family members have been murdered in an apparent revenge attack after Mexican marine helped to kill drugs kingpin

Business news  

Glencore bond issue clears way for $35bn float

Swiss metals trader raises $2.2 billion in bonds that will convert into Glencore shares if it is floated

Bank is unanimous on holding rates at 0.5%

The united decision by Bank policy members implies that interest rates could be on hold until at least February next year

Ford to sell Volvo to Geely early next year

Geely, the preferred bidder for the Swedish auto brand, is expecting a deal early in the new year after further talks

Sport News  

'Proud' Levein determined to lift Scotland

Former Dundee United manager confirmed as new national coach after agreeing a two-year deal

• Levein agrees to become Scotland manager

• Levein ready to take on Scotland job

Lord Ashcroft steps in to save Watford

The Championship club have remained solvent by paying back the £5 million that they owed their former chairman

Arsenal and Hull charged by FA

Premier League clubs have until January 13 to respond to charge of failing to control players during Premier League match

Comment  

Bank charges hit us for being human

This zero tolerance approach, this rules-is-rules mentality, is what is so antipathetic to the British

• Melanie Reid

Sorry, Father, thou still shalt not steal

We should upset our moral values only in dire circumstances. At other times, render unto Tesco . . .

• Julian Baggini

The shed where Santa’s failures go to die

Imagine if Dr Frankenstein and Pol Pot were let loose on Hamley’s

• Leo Lewis

Life and Style  

The best fashion sales now

There aren't over-the-top slashed prices like last year, but it's a good time to pick up pieces for the coming year

How to make game terrine

Chef Bryn Williams makes a delicous game terrine with pigeon breasts, chopped pistachio nuts and apricots

The charity that listens to youngsters at a difficult time

The drop-in counselling service The Place2Be is branching out to help children to adjust to life at secondary school

Arts & Entertainment  

The decade in film

The Noughties were the decade in which the drama of real life left the movies in the dust, decides Wendy Ide

Bah humbug! The classics we secretly loathe

In the spirit of Christmas grumpiness, arts personalities reveal the heritage classics they secretly can’t stand

The young stars of Outnumbered

Never work with children, the say. Unless those children are on Outnumbered. We meet the brillant young stars of the comedy