Winning popularity in California is less pressing for Mr Bush than for Mr Davis (although some of California's beleaguered congressional Republicans, facing elections next year, hope he will give way on price caps before the summer power cuts are over).

ECONOMIST: Politicians beware: Californians are cross

Bill Gates's software firm is not only facing a host of legal challenges to the way it does business, but is also confronted by a formidable alliance of competitors who are out to end the Windows monopoly of the desktop operating system.

ECONOMIST: Persecuting Bill

Gudjonsson, unmarked inside the six-yard box, seemed certain to score as the impressive Thompson headed the ball back across goal towards him but the midfielder's hooked shot lacked power and struck Montgomery, who was facing the other way and knew nothing about it.

BBC: Burnley 1-0 Sheff Utd

Lastly, Mr Gore's combination of populist rhetoric and centrist policies presents him with a way round that occupational hazard facing all vice-presidents: how to distinguish yourself from your predecessor, without losing the credit for his achievements, or seeming disloyal.

ECONOMIST: The new class warrior

But, as the governor said himself, when you consider the challenges facing the economy, it's pretty clear that a quarter point, one way or another, on interest rates is not really going to make a lot of difference.

BBC: No gold medals for the UK economy