Last week the Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, took a flight to Scotland and imparted a few thoughts on his colleagues, not only to his travel companion but to those sitting nearby.

Inspired by this slip-up, we sent writers out around the UK, including on that very service to Inverness, to eavesdrop on conversations.

What did they find to be on Britain's mind? Continue reading...

'Damning verdict' on Haringey ; Home Office 'mole' speaks; and plans to cut carbon emissions

Political fallout from the arrest of Tory MP over leaked documents damages the home secretary and speaker of the house

The Mumbai attacks, troubled times for charities and a fair for Russian millionaires, in our daily audio show

The writer Susan Hill, whose books appear on GCSE, A-level and degree syllabuses, has laid into ignorant students who demand that she writes chunks of their essays and lazy teachers who fail to check their facts. Continue reading...

"It's war," declares the editorial in the Times of India. "The scale, intensity and level of orchestration of terror attacks in Mumbai put one thing beyond doubt: India is effectively at war and it has deadly enemies in its midst." Its coverage draws parallels with the September 11 attacks and says the attacks are in part a consequence of the war on terror.

But it urges Indians not to blame Muslims. "Terrorists have no religion. Political bickering on this issue is divisive; what India needs now is unity." Continue reading...

9:28am:
Indian commandos have killed two militants in the Trident-Oberoi hotel and regained control of the premises after a long siege, the chief of the elite National Security Guards tells reporters

Mumbai attacks, 999 emergencies and re-inventing the Little Chef

The Cuban president Raul Castro at Cuba's National Assembly election session in Havana. Photograph: Ismael Francisco/AFP/Getty images

Raul Casto wants to end a 40-year-old diplomatic freeze by meeting Barack Obama

At least 101 people have been killed and more than 250 injured in Mumbai in one of the worst terrorist attacks on Indian soil. At time or writing the situation remains grave with some of the perpetrators reportedly holed up in two luxury hotels, the Taj and Oberoi Trident, and exchanging gunfire with security forces.

The Times of India reports: "In one of the most violent terror attacks on Indian soil, Mumbai came under an unprecedented night attack as terrorists used heavy machine guns including AK-47s and grenades to strike at the city's most high-profile targets – the hyper-busy CST (formerly VT) rail terminus; the landmark Taj Hotel at the Gateway and the luxury Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point; the domestic airport at Santa Cruz; the Cama and GT hospitals near CST; the Metro Adlabs multiplex and Mazgaon Dockyard – killing at least 101 and sending hundreds of injured to hospital." Continue reading...

Dozens of hostages are being held at two hotels in Mumbai after more than 100 people were killed in one of India's deadliest terrorist attacks

Mass shootings in Mumbai, protests in Bangkok and clashes in the House of Commons

Falling oil prices and some significant losses in recent elections may have delivered blows to Hugo Chávez's self-styled socialist revolution, but he can still count on the support of Sean Penn.

In the video above, the actor defends the democratically elected Chávez against US allegations of dictatorship and voices concerns that America is "becoming increasingly gullible to the demonising of foreign states or leaders". Continue reading...

Robert Gates, US defence secretary, speaks during a promotion ceremony at the Pentagon on Friday. Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP

It may have been the economic crisis that delivered the election to Barack Obama but his consistent opposition to the war in Iraq was also a key plank in his campaign – first to be the Democratic nominee, and then for president.

So it might therefore be surprising that he has retained the services of a Bush appointee, Robert Gates, as defence secretary. Continue reading...

Follow the developments on a dramatic day in Thailand when anti-government protests meant thousands of passengers were stranded at Bangkok airport and the prime minister refused to resign