Next week, we shall all have plenty to think about as the US presidential elections take place, whatever the outcome.

In the meantime, we are by no means short of things to discuss. As I pondered the news yesterday at the end of the day, it seemed to me that we live in crazy times:

• On the morning news, I heard that hedge fund investors had lost the bets they had placed in VW when Porsche announced it now owned 75% of VW. Hedge fund investors had taken a short term position, assuming VW shares would fall in value. However, two days after Porsche’s announcement, VW shares rose to a value of $1,276 making it – briefly – the most valuable company in the world.
• Throughout the day, newscasts were buzzing with news of an investigation into a broadcast by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on BBC Radio 2. The Telegraph’s website reported that the broadcast was pre-recorded and cleared for broadcast by producers. However, 18,000 complaints from listeners were enough to suggest that the broadcast had crossed a line in the eyes of the BBC’s listening audience. Russell Brand handed in his notice and Jonathan Ross is currently suspended. Still I find myself wondering, what is the responsibility of the producers who approved the broadcast?
• When I left my house in the morning I noticed a car parked outside which had snow on its roof. London’s Evening Standard reported that this was Britain’s first October snow in 70 years.

Mad days.