Frozen Britain:

The great Christmas trek

Terri Judd: The festive hopes of millions of Britons hang the balance today as travellers, undeterred by continuing Arctic conditions and the prospect of further snow, begin their holiday travels across the UK by road, rail and coach.

The Independent's charity auction of the year

As our charity sale enters its final day, bid now for a sensational prizes.

You have to laugh when right-on icons turn out to have the moves of frat boys

Julie Burchill: I don't know if Assange is innocent or guilty of being a sex-pest. But I DO know he is a Lefty Lothario.

Last-minute buyers gear up for busiest shopping day of the year

James Thompson: After days in which their shop fronts have been bound with snow, retailers are hoping for a shower of last-minute present-buyers today.

Women protest against violence in the Abattoir area of Abidjan

Civil war looms after Ivory Coast election

Daniel Howden: Foreign nationals warned to leave country, while 'death squads' reported to be abducting opposition supporters.

Alistair Dawber: Conflict in Abidjan could destabilise cocoa market

Hunt ruling will be open to legal challenge after past Murdoch support

Nigel Morris: Culture Secretary could face a legal challenge if he approves controversial takeover.

Don't miss...

Chateau prize
Win a lavish break in our 2010 news quiz
Picture Perfect
The ten best compact cameras

Charity auction
Bid for unique prizes in our annual Christmas extravaganza
Feelin' frisky?
The ten best erotic gifts

Snow!
Your winter 2010 pictures
Moon magic
In pictures: Total lunar eclipse

Festive Fashion
What to wear this Christmas
And finally...
bizarre real life stories

Festive telly
Top 20 festive TV shows
Sack race
This season's managerial departures

Sir Frederick and Sir David Barclay are owners of the Telegraph, which is opposed to the BSkyB takeover

First the sting, now recriminations sink in for the Barclays

Ian Burrell: Telegraph may face ethics investigation – but how was the scoop 'leaked' to BBC?

A Haiti orphan in the arms of her adoptive mother

After a year of despair, Haiti orphans get a fresh start in France

John Lichfield: More than 100 Haitian orphans arrived in France yesterday to spend Christmas with their new families, ending nearly a year of intense diplomacy.

Kevin Pietersen relaxes at England's Melbourne hotel yesterday

Pietersen rejects sledging claim

Stephen Brenkley: Batsman explains 'mobile phone' jibe to Johnson as he insists England will play swing bowler better at MCG.

Radiohead have been nominated for Album of the Year for

Radiohead top 25-year album chart

Radiohead's experimental OK Computer has been named the greatest album of the past quarter century by music fans.

'We're trying to recreate a golden age of British athletics,' says Dai Greene

Dai Greene: 'The season I was having, I felt I could not lose'

Interview No 6: Welsh hurdler tells Simon Turnbull how he refused to let nasty illness stop him taking two golds this year and joining world's elite.

Downward revision for third-quarter growth

Sarah Arnott: Downward revisions to third-quarter economic growth poured cold water on evidence of Britain's much-needed export-led recovery yesterday.

Sophia Bullick with her young daughter Amelia at their home in Portadown

Independent Appeal: The girls interrupted by a teenage pregnancy

David McKittrick: Becoming a mother while still at school can be a ticket to a life of poverty. But not if Barnardo's can help it.

i on today: Tills to ring up �14,000 a second in Christmas rush

i is brought to you by the award-winning team at The Independent for just 20p - and we want to hear from you

A lunar eclipse is visible in Scottish Borders, the result of the Moon starting to move into the Earth's shadow.

Lunar eclipse delight for sky watchers around the world

We bring you images of the spectacular lunar eclipse - in case cloud cover (or sleep) impeded your view this morning.

The scene at Heathrow Terminal 3 yesterday

BAA in war of words with BA as Heathrow disruption continues

Simon Calder: As 50,000 more travellers saw their Christmas plans wrecked by yesterday's flight cancellations at Heathrow, a war of words broke out between the airport owner and its biggest customer.

California flooded after record rainfall

The kids are a riot: A stand-up comedy class at the Tabard Theatre, London, run under the auspices of School of Comedy

After-school comedy clubs: Heard the one about the teenage stand-ups?

After-school comedy clubs are a breeding ground for new talent and an all-round confidence booster, teachers say. But can humour be learned?

Chalk Talk: One school that will always be 'outstanding' to Andy Burnham

Partners

Holiday offers
Holidays for the discerning traveller from the Independent Travel directory
Ticket service
Ticket Exchange Buy and sell your gig, theatre and sports tickets here

Executive Jobs
Largest selection of senior jobs in the UK and Europe
Compare finance
Compare hundreds of deals on top finance offers

Dating
Register for free to find your perfect partner with Independent Singles
Finance guides
Where should you invest your money and when? Get a Free Guide.

Travel Planner
Compare cheap holidays, flights, hotels and car rentals to find the best deal.
Business Finder
Search for local businesses in your area