Business news 

Retail slump surpasses 1990s recession

Conditions on the high street are worse than Britain's last slowdown as stores report dismal trading and job cuts

Pendragon profits tumble as new car sale slump

Used car prices fell to a five-year low and new vehicle registrations nosedived as customers deferred large purchases

Diageo fears drinkers' spirits will dampen

The world's largest alcoholic drinks group says world slowdown and rising costs will hit growth next year

Sport News 

England rocked by Gerrard injury

Liverpool captain will undergo groin surgery that will rule him out of England’s two World Cup qualifiers next month

• Late strike spares Benitez's blushes

• Benítez delighted to avoid unthinkable calamity

Champions Trophy a victim of player power

Stars' new authority must be married to greater responsibility for the good of the international game, says Mike Atherton

Mick Channon injured in car crash

Former England footballer turned racehorse trainer in a 'stable' condition after being involved in accident on M1 yesterday

Comment 

The Republicans need a good kicking

The Democrats may be faltering - but they must keep faith that the electorate will punish Bush

• Anatole Kaletsky

Those things other people look after

How has it become normal, in one generation, to farm out children to poorly paid helpers?

• Camilla Cavendish

Miliband must stop playing with fire

It takes two to start a cold war and Russia has so far been provoked pointlessly into confrontation

• Robert Skidelsky

Life & Style 

How to own up to an affair

Our relationship expert says although an affair can feel right, you may have suspended a lot of guilty feelings to keep it going

How the climbers are destroying Mont Blanc

Every summer thousands of tourists with no climbing experience try to reach the summit. Now the mayor has demanded change

Are we a nation of wusses?

To avoid extortionate heating bills this winter, shouldn't we just put on extra cardie? No need if we learn to be energy efficient

Arts & Entertainment 

Time for Josh Peck to feed the hunger

The anti-hero of The Wackness has lost 120lb but still bears the lifelong scars of being the taunted, ridiculed, fat kid

Will Ferrell flick, Step Brothers, disappoints

A stoner comedy just rude and sharp enough to touch a nerve with infantile adults, but it is basically a one-trick pony

Led Zeppelin trio recording new material

Drummer Jason Bonham has revealed that Led Zeppelin members have been back in the studio, recording new music