Among the modern hybrids, Mr. Lincoln, a deep velvety-red rose, and Tiffany, a light pink hybrid, are tastiest.

NPR: Robb Walsh: 'Are You Really Going to Eat That?'

If there is any silver lining, it is that while the recession was a year old in December, its first half was not especially deep: net GDP actually rose in the first half, and the downturn is actually a bit milder than the median post-war recession after 12 months.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Deep in the shine of the polished glass, her hand rose in a graceful arc to remove her straw hat.

NEWYORKER: Miracle Polish

Edridge Joger made it 2-0 before half-time when he rose unchallenged at the far post to head Stijn Schaars' deep free-kick past Scott Carson.

BBC: England U21 1-2 Holland U21

The most popular gift is mithai (Indian sweets), and shops are filled with a spectacular array specially prepared for this festival, from thickly cut squares of barfi (a fudge-like sweet, often coated with a thin film of edible silver leaf) , to soft syrupy gulab jamuns (deep-fried balls of dough) and spongy rasgullas (sweetened cream cheese balls flavoured with rose water).

BBC: India��s festival of lights