No one knows whether the euro will survive, revive or start to collapse this week, dragging the international economy down with it. The Greek prime minister has been ousted; the Italian prime minister may be forced out; Britain's prime minister warns that the failure of the G20 summit to come up with any practical solutions to the eurozone's perilous financial problems is "only a stage in the global crisis".
Anyone who needs a break during a shopping trip to Westfield Stratford should head to the back of the John Lewis store, on the third floor. There, behind the racks of ceremonial teapots and pin badges, is a view over the Olympic Park, from the aquatics centre to the athletics stadium, with the water polo arena in front of them.
Ministers' plan to end excessive charges for consumers paying for goods and services by credit or debit cards is a welcome gift for 2012. There has been mounting public anger in recent years over the surcharges imposed by a range of companies when paying by card. The most notorious offenders have been some of the budget airlines, notably Ryanair, although the practice is now far more widespread than that. Indeed even the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency surcharges those who choose to pay their car tax online with a credit card. Under the new plans, from the end of next year it will be illegal for companies to charge in this way, on pain of substantial fines.
<p>It's liberal trendies such as David Cameron who really make my blood boil. Oh yes, he talks about being a "Christian society"; says we shouldn't be ashamed of it. Blethers on about "Judaeo-Christian values" (why are we funding faith schools for other religions, come to that?) and suchlike.</p>
London's struggling tourism industry may have to wait a year before tourists return, Ken Livingstone said today.
Alex Izett's violent mood swings broke up his marriage and drove him to attempt suicide after he became ill with Gulf War Syndrome, he claims.
David Beckham has appealed to England hooligans not to get the team thrown out of the European Championships.
