Sport News 

Momentum builds for fragile England

England's win over Samoa gave the defending champions a boost of confidence ahead of their match against Tonga in Paris

Cavalry must arrive soon for British tennis

Britain's Davis Cup victory over Croatia completed a memorable weekend heralding a new era of tennis without Tim Henman

Rivals promising electric finale

A final pitting of India against Pakistan promises to give a brilliantly staged event the send-off it deserves

Business news 

Banks cut limits and reject borrowers

In a consumer credit crack-down, banks are to tighten up lending standards to cut the cost of servicing problem borrowers

Brown in the hot seat over Northern Rock

Mervyn King said the Bank was 'unable to carry out a lender-of-last-resort operation' because of the 'Market Abuse Directive'

Dogfight over ‘the battle for Shanghai’

Cathay Pacific and its ally Air China are expected to make a combined offer for a significant stake in China Eastern Airlines

Comment 

The old lady always does as she’s told

A financial panic demonstrates the limitations of the independence of the Bank of England

• William Rees-Mogg

Go for it, Gordon. It makes sense

Gordon Brown is probably too cautious to call an election soon, though most concede he would win

• Tim Hames

A lesson in patriotism from Georgia

US treat returning soldiers with honour, a young soldier deserves respect for his courage

• Carol Sarler

Life & Style 

At home with Giorgio Armani

In the finest tradition of retailers, the designer lives "above the shop" in rooms that convey country tranquility

Straight talk from Emily Blunt

"If the description in a script reads, ‘Nice normal girl’, I slam it shut." The actress talks about carbs and clothes

Michelin chef on a mission

Using fresh ingredients and science, Chris Horridge says we can eat ourselves well. Anyone for echinacea winter pudding

Arts & Entertainment 

PJ Harvey steps into the light

PJ Harvey’s previous albums have embraced the dark side of life, but White Chalk’s upbeat originality wipes the slate clean

Reach out and touch

Digital 3-D is the great green and red hope for cinema’s future – but haven’t we seen it all before

Turning the art world on its head

Georg Baselitz is a compelling a painter because the ultimate absurdity of war seems never to escape his attention