News
Karzai says Taliban make contact for Afghan peace
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday Taliban insurgent leaders were increasingly contacting him to try to find ways of making peace.
Sports retailers slump after Euro flop
Shares in sporting goods retailers slumped on Thursday, after the England football team's failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 Championship finals sparked fears of a plunge in sales of replica kits.
Full roll-out for controversial HIPs
The controversial home information packs scheme is to be extended to all homes from next month, the government said on Thursday.
Watchdog condemns film's violent gun ads
The advertising watchdog on Wednesday upheld complaints that images used to promote an action film glamorized guns amid growing public concern about youth violence.
Fashion retailer Topshop plans China stores in 2008
Fashion retailer Topshop plans to open its first China store early next year, following rivals such as Inditex's Zara and Hennes & Mauritz AB in setting up shop in the world's fastest growing major economy, sources familiar with the situation said on Thursday.
Nationwide profits and savings jump
Nationwide, the country's largest building society and second biggest-mortgage lender, said it continued to fund its business through normal channels as it unveiled a 29 percent rise in half-year profits on Thursday.
Jellyfish attack wipes out Ireland salmon farm
An invasion of jellyfish has wiped out Northern Ireland's only salmon farm, with more than 1 million pounds' worth of stock massacred in the attack.
Ofcom proposes easing radio ownership rules
Ofcom proposed a reform of radio regulation on Thursday, seeking to give operators more scope to compete with the BBC and potentially clearing the way for more consolidation in the industry.
Darling on white-knuckle ride
After five rollercoaster months in the job, Chancellor Alistair Darling could well be wondering what's next.
Christians appeal to China over trial of North Korean refugee
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is appealing on behalf of a North Korean activist, Mr Yoo Sang-joon, who is facing trial in China next Monday. Mr Yoo was arrested near the Chinese-Mongolian border and is due to stand trial in Inner Mongolia at 9 am on 26 November 2007.
Boy George in court
Boy George appeared in a London court on Thursday charged with the false imprisonment of a male escort.
Lebanon near despair over quest for new president
Lebanon marked its independence day on Thursday gripped by anxiety about the failure so far of rival political camps and a slew of foreign mediators to clinch agreement on a new president and avert possible violence.
At least 10 killed in Qaeda clash in Baghdad
Al Qaeda militants killed at least eight members of a neighbourhood police patrol in southern Baghdad on Thursday after shooting two Iraqi soldiers and stealing their vehicle, police said.
Bush calls Middle East leaders ahead of talks
U.S. President George W. Bush spoke to Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian leaders on Wednesday to lay the groundwork for next week's Middle East peace conference on the creation of a Palestinian state.
Bangladesh struggles to cope with cyclone aftermath
Thousands of people made homeless by last week's devastating Bangladesh cyclone are still waiting for aid to reach them, relief workers and local media said on Thursday.
France faces more strike delays but end in sight
French commuters faced another day of transport delays on Thursday, but newspaper commentators said an end was in sight to a nine-day transport strike over President Nicolas Sarkozy's pension reform plans.