From smartphones to e-readers and everything in between, there's no time like the present to re-up that post-spring-cleaning stash.

ENGADGET: 's summer gear guide 2012: e-readers

Put in the unfortunate position of cleaning up the post-windfall mess, Mr Bloomberg's first instinct was to minimise the pain.

ECONOMIST: New York city

The problem appears to be worst in Scotland, particularly in Glasgow, where millions of taxpayers' pounds were spent subsidising stone-cleaning as part of the city's post-industrial renaissance.

ECONOMIST: Conservation