London News | London Evening Standard

Nick Clegg wants the 10,000 pounds personal tax allowance introduced earlier than planned

Clegg vows to push for mansion tax

Nick Clegg has pledged to push for the introduction of a mansion tax as he demanded faster cuts for taxes on low and middle-income earners.

Nationwide hunt for escaped convict

Police forces nationwide have joined the hunt for a violent prisoner sprung from the clutches of prison officers as they escorted him to hospital.

David Cameron described EU plans for a financial transactions tax as 'madness'

PM: EU transaction tax plan madness

David Cameron delivered a scathing assessment of Europe's failure to promote economic growth as he urged it to be "bold" to promote business.

Troubled refinery back in business

Petrol delivery trucks are once again rolling from the gates of Coryton oil refinery after a shutdown triggered when the site collapsed into administration.

French police have arrested the former head of PIP - the firm at the centre of a breast implant scandal (AP)

Breast implant firm boss arrested

The former head of a French company at the centre of a breast implant scandal affecting tens of thousands of women worldwide has been arrested with his former deputy in south-east France.

Nadal too strong for Federer

Rafael Nadal reached his fourth consecutive grand slam final after overcoming an early Roger Federer onslaught to again beat his old foe at the Australian Open.

Sharapova avenges Wimbledon defeat

Maria Sharapova avenged her defeat in the Wimbledon final to Petra Kvitova with a gutsy three-set victory over the Czech in the last four of the Australian Open.

Azarenka advances to final

Victoria Azarenka advanced to her first grand slam final after outlasting defending champion Kim Clijsters in a remarkable encounter at the Australian Open.

England on top despite late wickets

Alastair Cook fell short of a 20th Test hundred as England battled for a mid-match advantage in their quest to level the series against Pakistan.

QPR complete Onuoha signing

QPR have completed the signing of Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Ceremonies supremo Danny Boyle reveals the opening ceremony of the Olympics will start with the ringing of the biggest bell in Europe and feature a performance by hundreds of nurses in a tribute to the NHS Comments (16)

Olympics: Join the greatest event of our lives, says Games chief

The London Olympics boss issued a rallying call for the entire capital to become involved in 'everyone's Games' Comments (40)

Court drama: Tension for Kim Sears as boyfriend Murray crashes out

Andy Murray's girlfriend Kim Sears could only watch sadly today as he crashed out of the Australian Open after a thrilling five-set match against Novak Djokovic Comments (8)

RBS chief given �1m bonus after 'proper process' says Cameron

David Cameron has defended the �1 million bonus given to RBS boss Stephen Hester despite widespread anger and a call by a senior minister for the banker to forego his money Comments (75)

Charles's battle to revamp Waterloo

Prince Charles today unveiled plans to create a vibrant "community hub" around Waterloo station by drawing on the spending power of commuters Comments (10)

Harry Redknapp: I earn �40k a week, I don't need to nick a few quid

Harry Redknapp said he paid a million pounds in income tax a year so did not need to 'nick a few quid in a tax fiddle', a court heard

I saved drowning man from sea, says wife of Pink Floyd's Gilmour

The mother of student protester Charlie Gilmour has told how she helped to drag a drowning man from the sea Comments (14)

Showbiz: Sienna Miller expecting her first baby, reveals stepmother Kelly Hoppen

Sienna Miller is expecting a baby with boyfriend Tom Sturridge, her stepmother Kelly Hoppen said today. Comments (5)

Sport Sport feed

It's agony for Andy Murray as he loses to Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller

Andy Murray's bid for a first Grand Slam title was ended again by Novak Djokovic in a pulsating Australian Open semi-final which saw the world No1 triumph 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5 after a gruelling four hours and 50 minutes Comments (9)

Cricket: Monty Panesar and Stuart Broad rip into Pakistan

Stuart Broad and Monty Panesar produced thrilling performances to give England a clear chance to win the Second Test but the task of levelling the series will examine their talents to the limit Comments

Football: QPR owner Tony Fernandes urges Anton Ferdinand to shake hands with John Terry

Exclusive: Tony Fernandes makes plea to ease tensions as Chelsea captain returns to scene of race row Comments (12)

Football: The tribal instincts now obscuring all hope of a rational view of our game

James Lawton: The truth is while Chelsea and QPR have been obliged to attempt to stifle the fires provoked by charges of racism, they are not dealing with isolated problems. Abuse and hatred are casual visitors to the stadiums of England Comments (3)

Business Business feed

Greece 'nears a deal with its creditors'

European Union Commissioner Olli Rehn has hailed a breakthrough in talks between Greece and its private-sector creditors, paving the way for the debt-laden nation's �130 billion (�109 billion) second bailout Comments (9)

No cash, no delivery: Oil tankers play waiting game

Meet Lian Xing Hu, a 230-metre oil tanker destined for Essex's bust Coryton refinery. The tanker is about 30 miles off the coast from Harwich Comments

FSA fines Cazenove trader over Greenlight scandal

Two senior City executives including a JPMorgan Cazenove trader have been fined for their role in the insider dealing scandal involving billionaire hedge fund manager David Einhorn Comments (2)

US growth outshines UK

The US put the shrinking British economy firmly in the shade during the final three months of 2011 as the global powerhouse grew at its fastest pace for a year and a half Comments (4)

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Entertainment Entertainment feed

Music: Man with a plan: Maverick Sabre

Sound check: With Plan B as his mentor and an equally catchy name, rapper turned soul singer Maverick Sabre is a voice to be reckoned with, says David Smyth Comments

Music: CDs of the week: Lana Del Rey, Leonard Cohen and Django Django

Our critics guide you through the week's best new releases... Comments

Film: The Descendants - review

Film of the week: George Clooney puts his easy charm to good use as a man in midlife facing family and fidelity crises Comments (2)

Hot tickets: weekend gigs, exhibitions and comedy

What to see and where to go this weekend... Comments

Music: Il Prigionero, Philharmonia/Salonen, Festival Hall - review

Luigi Dallapiccola's one-act opera Il Prigionero packs a powerful punch, even in a minimalist semi-staging such as this Comments

Theatre: The House of Bernarda Alba, Almeida - review

In Bijan Sheibani's production of Federico Garc�a Lorca's final play, the action has been transposed from rural Spain to Iran. It's a decision that feels wilful Comments