Lure of deep proves irresistible to science

Life in the deep has a special lustre for scientists because it is all but unexplored and the discoveries keep on coming

Tough deadline for Iraq inquiry to establish truth

Conclusions must quell public unease over the most controversial military and foreign policy action for half a century

Pantomime horses in race to raise funds

Thousands gather to watch as parody of Grand National raises about £4,000 for Lord Mayor of Birmingham's charities

Photo archive of war through a pilot's eyes

The Aerial Reconnaissance Archives, on display in Edinburgh, are from secret sorties carried out in unarmed Spitfires

Stormy weather into December

The Met Office says a logjam of depressions means that powerful storms and yet more rain will be with us into next month

Whitehall agress to hand Holyrood power over airguns

A ban on airguns in Scotland moved closer after the UK government agreed to add Calman recommendations on gun law to White Paper

Scottish invention promises power revolution

A new, efficient, light and robust electricity generator invented in Scotland offers a major step forward in renewable energy

Silver reward to peace-broker up for auction

A silver bowl and salver given to a diplomat for preventing war between Britain and Russia are to be sold in Edinburgh

Worries turn to saving businesses

The community that relies on tourism and local traders must work hard to avoid becoming a ghost town after flood damage

British to train Afghan militias

UK attempts to step back from frontline operations by training local militias to take responsibility for Afghan security

World of Warcraft: fantasy or reality?

Five years since creation, game is blamed for divorce and death

Police reforms bring reward of £50m savings

Chief Constable Chris Sims is trying to balance the populist demand for local policing with tackling serious crime

Jedward: out of tune - but mesmerising

The show will go on without Jedward but their mentor, Louis Walsh, will ensure they will not stray far from the limelight

Experienced canoeist died in river

Flood victims: Chris Wheeler died after becoming trapped under a tree as police hunt for woman swept into river

Scan gives separated twins clean bill of health

Krishna, the second conjoined twin, has woken up and blown the signature raspberry her guardian has been waiting for

Police blow up sports car near Downing Street

Michael Raphel, 28, seeking compensation after the Met Police blew up his red Honda Civic Type R on security grounds

Sorry? Then say it with flowers

Officers are using an approach called community resolution to tackle low-level crime. Offenders make amends in human ways

What we will do and how you can help

The Sunday Times Children of Iraq Christmas Appeal

How the story began: Shams Kareem

The story of a little girl blinded by a bomb in Iraq sparked flood of donations from Sunday Times readers, changing her life

Christmas Appeal: How you can help the children of Iraq

Hussein is among more than 8,000 have been disfigured in the conflict in Iraq, but could benefit from life-changing treatment at Amman hospital