London on The Independent

Vanessa Redgrave: A grande dame who won't conform

2011-12-06 00:00:01.0

As Vanessa Redgrave wins yet more awards, Paul Taylor pays tribute to an actress whose brilliant career has been punctuated by tragedy and controversy

London firms still waiting for Olympics 'dividend'

2011-12-05 00:00:01.0

Continuing economic gloom means businesses in the capital will take on fewer staff, warns CBI

Winter warmers: Bill Granger reveals his favourite comforting classics

2011-12-04 00:00:01.0

As the nights draw in, there's nothing The New Review's food writer enjoys more than a traditional, comforting dinner – though he can't help putting his own twist on these seasonal classics

Outsider: Always Almost, Never Quite, By Brian Sewell

2011-12-02 00:00:01.0

Brian Sewell admires the novels of Simon Raven and this, his own Bildungsroman, shares much with the gamey world of Alms For Oblivion as well as the elegance of the prose – the collision of high and low social worlds, an astonishing variety of sexual behaviour, an amused tolerance of human foible, an admiration of beauty in all its forms, a respect for intelligence and an underlying stoicism.

Icap takes on Pettit

2011-12-02 00:00:01.0

Icap has recruited MF Global's top futures broker, Gary Pettit, as global head of financial futures and options.

Lecturer quizzed in hacking probe

2011-11-30 12:03:35.0

A university lecturer was questioned today over phone-hacking at the News of the World.

Michael Hastings: Writer best known for 'Tom and Viv'

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

Precocious success can prove a mixed blessing in the theatre. Michael Hastings had three playsproduced in London before his 20th birthday, but with the exceptions of his exuberant Gloo Joo (1977) and Tom and Viv (1984),a moving scrutiny of TS Eliot's troubled first marriage, too much of his later career – never predictable and always intriguing – was often unfairly scarred by ill luck.

Business Diary: Royal London gets on its bike

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

Life insurers aren't usually regarded as the sort of companies where adrenaline rules – and you might think that Royal London, one of the country's biggest mutually owned insurers, would be more sleepy than most. Someone at the company obviously has a yearning for a more high-octane life, however. Royal London has just extended its contract to sponsor the Isle of Man TT motorbike race for another three years. It's a deal that brings the company worldwide publicity, although maybe an odd one for an insurer, given the regular accidents.

Tickets for football at London 2012 go back on general sale

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics football tournament went back on sale yesterday with 1.5 million available at the six venues around the country. Tickets were available for all the games including those involving the Great Britain men's and women's sides and both finals, though the men's final was expected to sell out quickly.

Downing Street staff asked to man borders

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

David Cameron's personal advisers have been asked by the Prime Minister to volunteer to work as border protection staff at Britain's ports and airports during today's strike.

The essential badge of success for social climbers

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

The Speaker's new crest (complete with ladder and balls) is an example of a wider trend

Ai Weiwei's wife detained by police

2011-11-30 00:00:01.0

The wife of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei was detained by police yesterday, the latest move in what has been seen as a concerted campaign to silence one of the government's most vocal critics.