Retirement needs a flexible approach

Some people have to keep on working beyond 65. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/Reuters Employers are understandably anxious about the abolition of a default retirement age (DFA). It is far easier to press a button on the workplace ejector seat than spend hours agonising over the productivity of a 66-year-old member of staff. Anyone who has donned [...]

Public sector cuts: Welsh first minister looks for answers at local level

First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones, right, in the cab of a refuse lorry with Brian Moylan at New Inn, near Pontypool. Photograph: Dimitris Legakis/D Legakis Photography / Athena Picture Agency Bryan Moylan spent hours scrubbing, vacuuming and spraying his refuse truck in preparation for his VIP passenger. “But it was worth it to put [...]

Michael Gove’s academy plan under fire as scale of demand emerges

Michael Gove had said that the scale of demand for academies required the government to rush through legislation. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Michael Gove, the education secretary, faced renewed attacks today when it emerged that only 153 schools had applied to become academies – despite his claims that more than 1,000 had done so. Gove [...]

Dave and the butler

David Cameron was described as down to earth by his hosts. Photograph: Reuters His critics might seek to caricature him as a man used to enjoying the services of a butler. However, Downing Street today insisted that David Cameron was surprised to have been allocated a personal valet at a luxury Bengalooru hotel. Aides to [...]

Torture inquiry judge does not have conflict of interest, government says

Clive Stafford Smith, head of Reprieve, listens to former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg. Reprieve believes Sir Peter Gibson’s views on the intelligence services reflect bias. Photograph: Jane Mingay/AP The government has hit back at a legal charity’s “unwarranted and baseless” suggestion that the senior judge leading the inquiry into allegations of UK involvement in torture [...]


Sports

McGeady still a target for Spartak Moscow

Celtic’s Aiden McGeady wants to play at a higher level, but is not keen on a transfer to Spartak Moscow. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images Aiden McGeady’s reluctance to move to Russia is to be severely tested, with Spartak Moscow showing... 

Business

Oil industry safety record blown open

A pelican covered in oil from the BP leak is cleaned in Louisiana. Photograph: Reuters The oil industry has been responsible for thousands of fires, explosions, and leaks over the last decade, killing dozens of people and destroying wildlife and the environment... 

Entertainment

Clinton wedding extravaganza special!

Chelsea and Marc. Aren’t they lovely? Photograph: Sipa Press / Rex Features What is Truman trying to prove?” wondered a waspishly pained Cecil Beaton of Mr Capote’s legendary Black and White Ball. “The foolishness of spending... 

Science

Bear Steals Bear, Breaks for Lunch in New Hampshire Home

AP Photo In this Sept. 17, 2008 file photo, a black bear, about 15 years old and weighing close to 300 pounds rests in a tree in Reno, Nev. Wet weather in June has spurred a bumper crop of berries and other vegetation favored by bears, leading to a decrease in... 


Born too late: age ruins GCSE results for 10,000 pupils a year

Children are failing simply because they were born too late in the school year, the DoE study found. Photograph: Guardian At least 10,000 teenagers fail to achieve five good GCSEs each year simply because they were born too late in the school year, research has revealed. A study from the Department for Education shows August-born [...]

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Defense Attorney Gives Pitino Full-Court Press During Trial

AP July 29: Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, left, is escorted by Chris Francis of the U.S. Attorney’s office as he arrives at the federal courthouse to testify in the trial of Karen Cunagin Sypher in Louisville, Ky. LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rick Pitino and the attorney for a woman accused of demanding millions from him [...]

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Roy Oswalt Agrees to Trade to Philadelphia Phillies

Houston Astros starter Roy Oswalt delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 24, 2010, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan) PHILADELPHIA – A person with knowledge of the deal says Houston ace Roy Oswalt has agreed to waive his no-trade clause and accept a swap to [...]

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