The world may be emerging from a recession, but it's still the automotive silly season, with the Detroit Motor Show just over and Geneva in the wings.

What kept the financial system afloat at the height of the global crisis?

One man's house may be his castle but in the case of film-maker Roman Polanski yesterday, released at last from his prison cell just outside Zurich, it is his luxury prison.

Roman Polanski's fate has became an international cause celebre as Paris, Warsaw and figures from the film world demand his release.

Swiss authorities have arrested film director Roman Polanski for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.