Latest from United Kingdom

A day to remember
Those of us who were adults in July 1981 will never forget Charles and Diana's wedding. So how will Prince William and Kate Middleton's compare?

Prince William and Kate: Happily ever after?
If Middleton follows tradition, she'll opt for a wedding band made from Welsh gold.

Cost of security will dominate royal wedding plans
The announcement of Prince William's wedding adds another red letter day to a UK police diary already overflowing with costly events.

All Blacks: Richie McCaw - rugby's most wanted
Five months after Irish No 8 Jamie Heaslip brazenly kneed the All Blacks captain in the back, McCaw barely recalls the incident ahead of presumably their next encounter

Ring a tribute to Prince William's late mother
Prince William gave Kate Middleton Princess Diana's engagement ring because he didn't want her to miss out on his special day.

Let Harry organise Prince William's stag do - Twitter reacts
In a sign of the times, the British Monarchy made the most of social media to break the news of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement

Insurance to cover firms against celebrity 'disgrace'
A growing number of companies are buying so-called 'disgrace insurance' in case their brand ambassador turns into a persona non grata.

Rugby: Fears entire 'Boks squad took banned substance
Peter de Villiers is worried his entire squad may have taken a banned substance that has seen two players fail doping tests.

How Trinny and Susannah defy weight expectations
The many genes that influence body weight can interact in a complex and unpredictable way that sometimes defies scientific explanation.

Rugby: New boot to protect Ali's Achilles heel
Hong Kong to Herzogenaurach, Ali Williams has done the hard yards to keep his All Blacks rugby revival on track.

The ultimate fashion gift? Walk this way, shoe-lovers
The world's most unashamedly indulgent and recession-unfriendly Christmas gift has arrived.

London: Walk on water
Getting to know London? Swap the Tube for a stroll along the Thames, says Kerri Jackson.

Study: Solo kids happier than those with siblings
The fewer siblings children have, the happier they are, a survey has suggested.

Live scoring: All Blacks v Scotland
Catch live action of the All Blacks' end of year tour match against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Movie Review: <i>Glorious 39</i>
Prolific British television writer/director Stephen Poliakoff (The Lost Prince) is behind this sumptuous thriller set at the beginning of World War II.

Sharp entertainer
From the Sharpe books to Arthurian sagas, the prolific output of Bernard Cornwell has topped best-seller lists around the world. The secret is in the plot, he tells Robert McCrum.

Fashions that are too fast to live
The economic recession and increasing awareness about environmental and ethical concerns have spurred many in the fashion industry to look more closely at its image.

Swedish label hits the spot
The fashion set is afflicted by Acne at the moment: it's all over their backs, their feet, even their coffee tables.

All Blacks: Mealamu 'gutted' with four week ban
All Black hooker Keven Mealamu's grand slam tour is all but over after he was found guilty of striking England's Lewis Moody.

Britpop lives again as Pulp reform for the common people
In a move likely to be greeted with the dusting off of drainpipe trousers nationwide, Pulp have announced they are the latest Britpop band to reform.

UK school highlights gay achievements to stop bullying
The teaching programme, which recognises the contribution of gay people in history, was created in an effort to stamp out homophobic bullying.

All Blacks: Sonny Bill the flanker?
All Blacks' assistant coach Wayne Smith has suggested Sonny Bill Williams could spend some time on the side of the scrum in the future.

Cameron leading bid for China sales
UK's Prime Minister David Cameron is trying to drum up some business for Britain in China.

Lily Allen hospitalised with blood poisoning
Lily Allen's hospitalisation with septicaemia has focused attention on a little understood but potentially fatal condition, writes Jeremy Laurance.

Berkshire: Back to basics at top chef's Tudor-style inn
Britain's maestro of molecular gastronomy is just as good at pub grub, finds Rob McFarland.