Business news 

EDF closes on British Energy takeover

The falling global price of crude oil helps to soothe over earlier differences over the valuation placed on the company

Bush agrees to back Fannie and Freddie

President drops opposition to a Housing Bill that would pave the way for a bailout of US’s stricken mortgage industry

GSK to break up R&D operations

Alliance formed with Aspen of South Africa as under-pressure pharmaceuticals group announces plans for smaller R&D units

Sport News 

Scholes: 'I look forward to finishing with football'

Manchester United stalwart still enjoys playing but finds the off-field aspects of a footballer's life difficult

• Ferguson in dig at 'Chelsea pensioners'

• Rooney ready for return to centre stage

Ohuruogu happy to ignore the mudslingers

World champion insists she does not care if British fans chose not to support her in the 400 metres at the Olympics

Langer backs Montgomerie for Ryder Cup place

Former Europe captain believes the Scotsman would prove a better wild card than a less experienced candidate

Comment 

Testing doctors is no magic cure

Tighter regulation of GPs may prevent another Shipman, but it will mean less time for patients

• Camilla Cavendish

We must cry out for the poor

The Church's inward-looking agonising is trivial when millions are still dying in abject need

• John Sentamu

No PM, however dour, can resist a stately pile

Our Roundhead Prime Minister has become an unexpected convert to the delights of Chequers

• Alice Thomson

Life & Style 

The end of the G-A-Y

The nightclub that welcomed Kylie, Cyndi and Madonna and provided a venue for countless gay romances, is shutting up shop

Do successful women scare men?

He says: men love successful women, just ask Guy Ritchie. She says: successful women scare men, just ask Madonna

The perfect family holiday home ...

Which websites helped Michael Harvey find the perfect UK holiday home - and where did he end up.....?

Arts & Entertainment 

Gillian Anderson's X Files encore

The 39-year-old actress always meant to play Dana Scully again - but until now life got in the way, she tells Will Lawrence

Could you shoot a film on a single reel?

The Straight 8 competition asks for your best three-minute shot. Speed is of the essence, finds Emma Townshend

Walking between the twin towers

The new film Man on Wire marks Philippe Petit’s finest hour - his 1974 walk between the twin towers. Kevin Maher met him