George Bush’s memoirs reveal how he considered attacks on Iran and Syria

Exclusive: Decision Points, to be released in the US tomorrow, also details Bush's response to September 11 and hurricane Katrina – and tells of his close friendship with Tony Blair

Alan Shadrake faces Singapore jail term for criticising use of death penalty

Contempt of court conviction for British author whose book fiercely criticises Singaporean justice system

Guantánamo: Behind closed doors

Edmund Clark took photographs of Guantánamo – of the naval base where the American community lives and the cells in which the prisoners were confined. He also took pictures of the homes where former inmates are struggling to rebuild their lives. The collection makes compelling viewing for former detainee Moazzam Begg

Miffy biffs Cathy in Kitty copycat case

Dutch court rules that Hello Kitty's cartoon sidekick Cathy the rabbit infringes the copyright of Dick Bruna's Miffy

British author faces prison sentence in Singapore

Alan Shadrake convicted of challenging integrity of Singapore judiciary in book on state's use of death penalty

Coming to terms with the US midterms: me want Scooby Snacks

Halloween has turned US political discourse into a terrifying shouting match in which anyone can say anything – the loonier the better. UK politics is no different, so I'm joining in, writes AL Kennedy

William James, part 3: On original sin

Mark Vernon: Are humans born happy, able to create their own well-being, or do we need to be born again to overcome a 'sick soul'?

Antonina Pirozhkova obituary

Russian engineer and wife of the writer Isaac Babel, whose legacy she fought to preserve

PJ O’Rourke – the rightwinger it’s OK for lefties to like

The American writer is angry, as his new book makes clear. But his rage is leavened with the wit that has won him friends on both sides of the political divide and made him the world's most quoted living humorist

George Bush thought 9/11 plane had been shot down on his orders

Memoirs reveal former US president gave order to shoot down any hijacked planes before United Airlines flight 93 crashed

Arundhati Roy: The debater of big things

Editorial: The novelist has bravely used her position to draw attention to the unjustifiable repression of unrest in the Kashmir valley

George Bush ends his purdah with a memoir, a library and Oprah

Former US president's first account of time in White House will be 'honest and direct about flaws'

‘A piece of crap’: Spanish author’s character sketch of former minister

Arturo Pérez-Reverte, bestselling historical novelist, aims Twitter broadside at ex-foreign minister over lachrymose exit

Arundhati Roy faces arrest over Kashmir remark

Booker prize-winner says claim about territory not being an integral part of India was a call for justice in the disputed region

No end in sight for New Zealand’s Hobbit saga

Ben Child and agencies: Prime minister John Key says situation 'still 50-50' after attempt to persuade Hollywood executives to shoot films in country