A look at Alaska's Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican US senator.

As George W Bush welcomes Barack Obama and his family to the White House, we look at the often tricky task of handing over the keys.

Our regular column covering the deaths of significant - but lesser-reported - characters in the past month.

The career of newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald, one of the UK's most popular TV journalists, who is stepping down from ITV's News At Ten.

A US impersonator's parodies of Alaska governor Sarah Palin are becoming a hot election issue, the BBC's Rajini Vaidyanathan reports.

BBC Political Correspondent David Thompson assesses whether Gordon Brown has done enough and is now safe in his job.

Dr Richard Beeching has become one of the villains of British history for dismantling the railway network in the 1960s. But how much did he really change Britain?

Ricky Gervais is the first to admit that his pearly-whites are neither white nor straight - and Americans mistakenly think he wears bad false teeth for comedic purposes. Why the transatlantic dental divide?

A new film repeatedly uses the word "retard". Can it be acceptable to use the term satirically or is it intrinsically offensive and a quick route to playground and workplace insults?

Political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe talks to Radio 4's Front Row and showcases his best work from his 50-year career.

Golliwogs, goblins and girls - definitely not boys - doing the washing-up. It's easy to see why Enid Blyton's books went out of fashion. But now her work is enjoying a surprise comeback.

Director John Landis shares his impressions of the Venice Film Festival

US comedian Jon Stewart has politicians queuing up to appear on his satirical news programme The Daily Show. Chris Bowlby profiles his life and career.

The stars and film-makers talk about hit 1960s television series Get Smart's makeover for the big screen.

Arsenal win at FC Twente and Liverpool draw with Standard Liege in the first legs of their vital Champions League qualifying ties.

The producers of a 2006 comedy film claim Paris Hilton owes them $75,000 after she failed to carry out promotional obligations.

A weekly guide to the 2008 US presidential election, in words and pictures.

Barack Obama's team voices outrage at a US magazine cover depicting him in Muslim dress and his wife as an armed terrorist.

Hindus in the US say they are offended by the Hollywood comedy Love Guru, ahead of its release on Friday.