Business news 

Retailers launch early Christmas push

UK’s biggest chains will ring opening bell on a brutal price war as they prepare to slug it out for shrinking consumer purse

Santander snubs its British shareholders

Spanish bank accused of flouting principle of allowing existing shareholders first refusal when companies seek new capital

Anger as carbon permits auction raises £54m

Government has provoked fury by saying proceeds of sale will not necessarily be used to tackle climate change issues

Sport News 

Wenger considers Walcott damages

The Arsenal manager is understood to be furious that the winger was injured while training for the England friendly

Sidebottom injury limits England's options

Preparations for the third one-dayer against India suffer a setback as the seam bowler's return is put on hold

Faldo considers unlikely second captaincy

After a harrowing experience at Valhalla, Europe's most celebrated golfer fancies another crack at the Ryder Cup helm

Comment 

BNP can never make itself respectable

Conditions ought to be ripe for the far Right. But its unsavoury militancy will always repel the voters

• David Aaronovitch

Tories may drown in clear blue water

With the collapse of their poll lead, the Tories have reverted to type and adopted a thoroughly bad policy

• Anatole Kaletsky

Why stop here on our evolution?

We share our genetic make-up with animals. So why be squeamish about using animal genes?

• Matthew Syed

Life and Style 

Will this be the end of prostitution?

Jacqui Smith, Britain's first female Home Secretary, wants to tackle prostitution. But the move faces strong opposition

The Dragons' Den, African-style

Want to make a difference to poverty and earn money too? We look at an ingenious scheme that has nothing to do with charity

Young, free... and divorced

Figures show that people under 30 are more likely to divorce than other age groups. Why do so many end up on the rocks?

Arts & Entertainment 

Titian campaign gets £10m lifeline

National Heritage Memorial Fund's donation means less than £30m is needed to keep Renaissance masterpiece on public view

Four stars for Waltz With Bashir

Ari Folman’s film is a mesmerising jumble of flowing graphics so beautifully painted it is hard to believe the ingredients

From Kosovo with grim determination

When actress Arta Dobroshi was asked to play a Balkan refugee, she didn’t hesitate: she was one, Kevin Maher learns