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Brown 'went for second best to spite Tories'

The Prime Minister rejected advice from Lord Mandelson to seek one of the economic posts once Tony Blair’s bid had failed

Patients spreading drug-resistant swine flu strain

A strain that appears resistant to an antiviral has infected five patients at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff

Gang lured victims to death 'for trade in fat'

Three people said to have confessed in Peru to murdering people to sell their fat to cosmetic clinics in Europe

Sport News  

France rejects idea of Ireland rematch

Governing body closes door on play-off replay despite France striker Thierry Henry saying new match would be 'fairest solution'

• Keane points finger of blame at Ireland

• ‘We've put man on Moon but can’t get this right’

Little hope of England depression lifting

Switch from creativity to power gives the impression that Martin Johnson has picked a side for damage limitation

Ferguson blames referee for defeat at Chelsea

Sir Alex Ferguson has risked another row over officials by accusing Martin Atkinson of potentially costing United the title

Business news  

NS&I withdraws its leading bonds

State-run National Savings & Investments has been forced to withdraw a generous savings product after only 24 days

Court adjourns hearing for son of Maxwell

Kevin Maxwell did not attend bankruptcy hearing and the case was adjourned for a third time

Cadbury family member hits at Kraft bid

KKR, the private equity firm, is rumoured to be backing a friendly counter-offer from Hershey and Ferrero

Comment  

The pantechnicon of porn hits a roadblock

A few amateur but angry campaigners have won a significant battle to stop the sex industry seeping on to the high street

• Janice Turner

No method in this Queen’s Speech madness

Usually it’s the speech that’s dreary and the phone-in responses that are works of fantasy. This year the reverse is true

• Matthew Parris

Focus on the big issues, not the bananas

Open elections, greater democracy, energy and aid should head the list for Europe’s new leaders

• Vaira Vike-Freiberga

Life and Style  

21 top tips for Christmas

Secret tips and favourite recipes for the holiday season from the country’s greatest foodies

Beauty is a preoccupation as old as time

Some of our beauty concerns are eternal, reveals a new five-volume history that focuses on the intellectual

Self-storage units: not just anonymous lock-ups

Meet the new generation of self-storage converts, for whom the warehouse units they rent are anything but anonymous lock-ups

Arts & Entertainment  

Marilyn and Ella: the odd friendship

Marilyn Monroe helped to kickstart Fitzgerald’s career, but these Fifties icons shared more than a love of jazz

Gavin & Stacey's Joanna Page opens up

She made it through ten years of bit parts to play Stacey in the hit comedy, but the actress says that she is ready to be a housewife

Frankie Boyle on loves, hates and gobstoppers

The acerbic 37-year-old has recently come under fire for less than flattering swipes at the Queen and Rebecca Adlington