He is a laureate of corruption, and his friends have introduced him at dinner parties as a writer of pornography.

For if we rest on our laurels, even a city as great as New York may end up as Kaifeng-on-the-Hudson.

Now that the Finals are over and the Mavericks have been crowned champions, it only seems appropriate to revisit Thorpe to praise the Mavericks and extract forward-looking lessons for the Heat.

Though London and New York still vie for the crown, economic growth in Asia and a flood of oil revenues into the Middle East ensure financial services there continue to see breath-taking growth.

The fact is that in the 18th century and today, Venice would win the title of bronchitis capital of the world if such a contest existed.