What, then, prevents Afghanistan from living happily ever after, with a generous dose of aid and a degree of international protection in the form of the International Security Assistance Force, which at present comprises about 4, 500 soldiers from 18 countries?

ECONOMIST: At last, signs of hope

Keswick's Theatre by the Lake is staging Melvyn Bragg's "Maid of Buttermere" at present, and I was delighted to be in the audience last week, for the production is a tour de force.

BBC: Cumberland wrestling round-up