Mission accomplished

You may already know this, but George Saunders has solved the problems of Iraq again. And I think I like this one better than the previous version.

Tongue, meet cheek

"Suddenly two hefty men armed to the teeth spring out of a white van and make their way down the steps to the platform. Their target is the humble leaf, more specifically those crushed on to the tracks. Their arsenal is a solution of orange extract, a steel brush and a tub of sand. Each has recently consumed a kebab and they mean business." -- Julia Stewart of The Independent heads out on the case of leaves on the line. The later revelation that Network Rail spends £10m a year on "vegetation management" makes it slightly less funny.

[Service message: There will now be a few weeks' moratorium on rail-related links. Wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea.]