This week: Labour leadership, Craig Venter, Wenlock and Mandeville

Lucy Mangan on the people hitting the headlines in the past seven days Loss leaders Milibands, Balls, Burnham, Abbott, McDonnell and … It may sound like a re-imagining of the roll call for Trumpton but it is of course the full (at time of going to press) list of people who have indicated their willingness [...]

London Olympics 2012: What do you think of the mascots?

London 2012′s Olympic mascots, Wenlock and Mandeville, have been unveiled. What’s your verdict? The launch of the London 2012 Olympic Games mascots was always going to be a hold-your-breath moment for the organisers after the fiasco when the all but unintelligible logo was unveiled a couple of years ago . But while the carefully stage-managed [...]

Games 'spectacular' despite cuts

The London 2012 Olympic Games will be “spectacular”, even if the government cuts its budget, organisers say.

London 2012 Olympics: mascot to contain important message about image of Games

The London 2012 Olympic Games mascot will be unveiled at 7pm on Wednesday – and it is thought not to be an animal.

Olympic arts looks for new music

New music is to become the focus of the London 2012 Olympic Games arts programme, organisers say.

Olympics not protected from cuts

The London 2012 Olympic Games are not protected from budget cuts, the new culture secretary confirms.

International Inspiration leaves a legacy in Azerbaijan

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, has today seen firsthand the global legacy of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games in a visit to Azerbaijan to see the impact of London 2012’s International Inspiration programme. Sir Philip was guest of honour in the Azeri capital, Baku, as the work of [...]

Great Britain's hopes of cycling gold at London 2012 Olympic Games hit by UCI changes

Great Britain’s 2012 medal hopes took a blow as cycling’s world governing body announced a radical overhaul of the Olympics’ qualification criteria.

Kapoor designs 2012 Orbit tower

A spiralling sculpture designed by Turner Prize-winning artist Anish Kapoor is chosen as the monument to mark the London 2012 Olympic Games.

2012 Olympics won't be election football: minister (AFP via Yahoo! UK & Ireland News)

The 2012 Olympic Games will not be kicked around as a political football in upcoming elections, the minister in charge said Wednesday — though she added she hoped she would still be in charge of them after the polls.