James Ferguson's illustration of a squirrel with an axe ©James Ferguson Nov 30, 2012

The Diary: Nicola Barker

The British author is bothered by squirrels who steal nuts from her bird feeders but is nonplussed by the Literary Review’s Bad Sex Award

Food & Drink

Jancis Robinson: Wine
Sparkling wine
Sparkling wine is presenting champagne with more and more of a challenge
Nicholas Lander: Restaurant
Almadraba Park Hotel
Roast duck in Spain, truffles in the Rhone valley – our restaurant critic looks back at a year of wonderful eating
Rowley Leigh: Recipe
steamed sea bass ©Andy Sewell
Long before sea bass was popular on British menus, it was the fish of choice in most Chinese restaurants
Illustration by Luis Grañena of a man oiling gears with Brazilian money ©Luis Grañena Simon Kuper from FT MAGAZINE Nov 30, 2012

Brazil’s goal: a clean sheet

Hosting the World Cup and the Olympics is meant to showcase a transformation: Brazil is attacking corruption

An illustration of a baby with the US flag on the background ©Shonagh Rae Gillian Tett from FT MAGAZINE Nov 30, 2012

The born identity

How about a debate among US leaders about the prospect of a foreigner running the Fed

Illustration by Lucas Varela ©Lucas Varela Robert Shrimsley from FT MAGAZINE Nov 30, 2012

Political parenting – a user’s guide

Only when we have a pool of the truly unengaged will we have a foster system we can trust

Tyler Brule: The Fast Lane Tyler Brule Tyler Brule Nov 30, 2012

Join me for a Santa cause

Along with Santa Claus, a DJ from Japan and a choir from Sweden will join an event for the benefit of press freedom

Harry Eyres: The Slow Lane Harry Eyres Nov 30, 2012

A continent in search of a project

The reintegration of the eastern bloc countries is one programme commensurate with the ideals of European culture

David Tang: Agony Uncle

Sir David Tang

Do I often go to extravagant parties? I have been to some best described as over the top

Robin Lane Fox: Gardening

Robin Lane Fox

I propose a British Arboreal Campaign. Anyone without a job will have to enlist for National Tree Service

peter aspden Peter Aspden from ARTS Nov 30, 2012

A century in sound

Southbank’s major festival will focus on the triumphs and tribulations of classical music in a radical era of modernity

Kathleen Baird Murray From STYLE Nov 30, 2012

Beauty Awards 2012

A round-up of the year’s hits and misses

Susie Boyt Nov 30, 2012

I’m finding it hard to forgive Christmas

Is Christmas merely the name we give to a collection of symptoms including greed, sorrow, hope and heartburn?

The Ariane 5ME ©European Space Agency From FT MAGAZINE Nov 30, 2012

Astronomical growth for UK

For the first time since the Thatcher government opted out of manned space missions, Britain is contributing to a crew vehicle

Mrs Moneypenny

A female jogger. Illustrated by James Ferguson ©James Ferguson

My centre of gravity is in the wrong place, I land too much on the front of the foot and my arms are not helping at all

The Undercover Economist

Illustration by Raymond Biesinger of Santa Claus and his reindeer on top of the NYSE ©Raymond Biesinger

In more normal conditions, Christmas is a troublesome waste of money

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LIFE & ARTS

Children playing at the Challenging Heights school in Sankor, Ghana ©Rosie Hallam The Global Fund for Children charity supports a group that saves child slaves in Ghana

FT Magazine

Fergus Henderson, Jeremy Lee, Alastair Little, Margot Henderson, Rowley Leigh and Thomasina Miers ©Dan Burn-Forti Rowley Leigh’s chef friends bring their good food and good cheer to his party

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