Once children longed to put away childish things and be an adult. Today we are reluctant to grow up, wanting to stay forever young, says Laurie Taylor, in his weekly column for the Magazine.

As defeated vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin embarks on a media charm offensive, the BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy asks whether she will emerge as the natural heir to the Republican Party leadership.

Ahmed Rashid argues that Pakistan faces a bleak and challenging future, months after getting a new democratic government.

Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called on Labour colleagues to find the confidence to make their case afresh.

The justice secretary publicly backs Gordon Brown, as some Labour figures explore ways of replacing the PM by autumn.

BBC News Online Scotland's Brian Ponsonby reflects on the count in Glasgow East

Grammy award-winning producer Steve Lillywhite recalls the recording sessions for U2's first three albums.

Critics begin delivering their verdicts on the hotly-anticipated Batman film The Dark Knight after the film's world premiere at in New York.

Acoustic indie band Noah and the Whale talk about playing in forests and being the "SuperTed Slipknot".

A Tory MP's bid to block Britain's ratification of the Lisbon Treaty is rejected by the High Court.

Economist Kaushik Basu on whether Indian economy faces an uncertain future

It pays the mortgage and gets you up in the morning, but workers want more from a job - they want meaning. Just don't go looking for it, says Lucy Kellaway.

Thousands of fans turn out at Celtic Park to say their final farewell to club legend, Tommy Burns

New book shows Iron Mike lost his motivation long ago

Most of us are shy to some degree, but acute shyness is one of the most under-recognised mental health problems of the modern age, say some. So when is being shy an illness?

Pills aren't the answer to helping many people recover from depression, says a report out this week. But there's growing evidence that gloominess could be a positive experience.

An influential group of Muslim theologians in India say terrorism is against the teachings of Islam.

Snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan says running has helped him deal with depression and reclaim the sport's world number one spot. But why is it so good for depression?

Primaries in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia hold unusual sway in a tight Democratic race, says the BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy.