In a sign of the times, the British Monarchy made the most of social media to break the news of Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement

A growing number of companies are buying so-called 'disgrace insurance' in case their brand ambassador turns into a persona non grata.

Simon Pegg had no plans to become a movie star. In fact he had no plans at all. So just how did the geek from Gloucester catch the eye of the world's best film-makers? It's all down to 'quantum attraction', discovers Tom Lamont.

The New Zealand men's and women's hockey teams' road to the 2012 London Olympics has been smoothened considerably.

Peter de Villiers is worried his entire squad may have taken a banned substance that has seen two players fail doping tests.

The many genes that influence body weight can interact in a complex and unpredictable way that sometimes defies scientific explanation.

Hong Kong to Herzogenaurach, Ali Williams has done the hard yards to keep his All Blacks rugby revival on track.

The fewer siblings children have, the happier they are, a survey has suggested.

Catch live action of the All Blacks' end of year tour match against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Prolific British television writer/director Stephen Poliakoff (The Lost Prince) is behind this sumptuous thriller set at the beginning of World War II.

Dita De Boni wonders whether a US charity model, which offers addicts cash to be sterilised, could work here.

From the Sharpe books to Arthurian sagas, the prolific output of Bernard Cornwell has topped best-seller lists around the world. The secret is in the plot, he tells Robert McCrum.

The economic recession and increasing awareness about environmental and ethical concerns have spurred many in the fashion industry to look more closely at its image.

In a move likely to be greeted with the dusting off of drainpipe trousers nationwide, Pulp have announced they are the latest Britpop band to reform.

The teaching programme, which recognises the contribution of gay people in history, was created in an effort to stamp out homophobic bullying.

All Blacks' assistant coach Wayne Smith has suggested Sonny Bill Williams could spend some time on the side of the scrum in the future.

UK's Prime Minister David Cameron is trying to drum up some business for Britain in China.

Lily Allen's hospitalisation with septicaemia has focused attention on a little understood but potentially fatal condition, writes Jeremy Laurance.

Britain's maestro of molecular gastronomy is just as good at pub grub, finds Rob McFarland.

The world could run out of affordable chocolate within 20 years as farmers in West Africa abandon their crops, industry experts claim.

This morning's win was like waiting for a bus at times, periods of frustration when it felt like something was coming but never did.

New Zealand did not so much bounce back from their loss against Australia as burp at Twickenham this morning, writes Dylan Cleaver.