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Editors' picks

An economy kept afloat by mafia cash is not just the stuff of Le Carré thrillers

Jonathan Freedland: Until we find the political will, the establishment will be happy to ignore the dirty crimes behind today's dazzling fortunes

Defence budget? I prefer to call it expensive showing off

Simon Jenkins: The armed forces chiefs don't like it up 'em – but at last a government is putting their gargantuan spending to the sword

If only the Catholic church did PR

Ann Widdecombe: Divine injunctions forbid the Vatican boasting of its good work, so the only news we get is bad news

Two years on and all we get from the banks is two fingers

Deborah Hargreaves: The appointment of the risktaker par excellence Bob Diamond at Barclays throws down the gauntlet over banking reform

Neo-nationalism threatens Europe

Stewart Motha: Giving way to nationalist groups from Scotland, the Basque country or Flanders would only highlight old differences

Who dares question the industrial food system over GM salmon?

Dan Kennedy: Genetically modified salmon is deemed safe for human consumption – despite higher levels of a suspected carcinogen

China needs Sudan to vote peacefully

Simon Tisdall: Its biggest investor takes a pragmatic approach to Sudan's affairs – and is keen that the independence vote runs smoothly

Don't let Michael Gove off the hook

Fiona Millar: Labour's leadership hopefuls are dispiritingly quiet on education policy and Gove's scrapping of 700 new school buildings

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Poll

Should some street lights be dimmed?

Councils are turning off some of their street lights in an effort to save money. Opponents say the move will increase the number of accidents. Supporters welcome the relief from nocturnal light pollution. Would you turn them off?

(79%)

(21%)

Politics. And other stuff
Michael Tomasky on America

Free to believe
Andrew Brown on belief and unbelief

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