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Merv Griffin, the US entertainer who created the game shows Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, has died aged 82. He had been diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier this year. Griffin was known for his self-titled TV series, which ran for more than 5,500 editions in the 23 years to 1986, and had spells as an actor and singer. But the quiz shows secured his financial future, after he sold the rights to Columbia Pictures and kept a share of the profits. Jeopardy was first broadcast on US television ...

Ukraine's opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko says her candidates have been barred from taking part in elections due to be held next month. The country's electoral body has refused to register Mrs Tymoshenko's bloc for the parliamentary ballot. The fresh poll was ordered to try to end confrontation between supporters of the president and prime minister. President Viktor Yushchenko is seen as pro-Western, but Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych is more pro-Russian. Court challenge Yulia Tymoshe ...

Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has called for a summit of the nation's main political factions in an attempt to break Iraq's political paralysis. In recent weeks almost all Sunni members of the cabinet have quit. Others are boycotting meetings, leaving at least 17 cabinet seats empty. Many of them have accused Mr Maliki of sidelining them. A BBC correspondent says the crisis is worrying for the US, which wants to see progress before withdrawing troops. "I have called the political lead ...

By Jennifer Hill LONDON (Reuters) - Climate change campaigners began setting up camp on Sunday ahead of protests at Heathrow airport, which may spell chaos for summer travellers. The protesters erected marquees and installed toilets near London's Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports, two days ahead of the start of expected protests. They say they have "legally occupied" the site, which i ...

LONDON (Reuters) - The outbreak of foot and mouth disease in southern England could effectively be over by the end of the week if no new cases emerge, but farmers must stay vigilant, one of Britain's top microbiologists said on Sunday. The highly infectious disease was found in livestock on two farms in Surrey, southern England, but tests on two other properties proved negative. "If there's nothin ...

Chelsea opened their season in record-breaking style by beating Birmingham to set a top-flight record of 64 home games without defeat. Mikael Forssell converted a Gary McSheffrey cross to put Birmingham ahead but Claudio Pizarro's first-time strike brought Chelsea level. Salomon Kalou put Florent Malouda through for Chelsea's second goal before Olivier Kapo's brilliant strike. But Michael Essien scored the winner for Chelsea with a 25-yard strike. The previous record was held by Liverpool, ...

A climate change protest camp has been set up outside Heathrow airport, two days earlier than had been expected. Thousands of protesters are expected at the Camp for Climate Action, which organisers say will highlight the link between aviation and global warming. The week-long demonstration had been scheduled to begin on Tuesday, but 150 campaigners have already set up camp on a site north of the airport perimeter. In response, the BAA warned it would not allow passengers to be "harassed". P ...

By Jennifer Hill LONDON (Reuters) - Climate change campaigners began setting up camp on Sunday ahead of protests at London's Heathrow airport, which are expected to cause chaos for summer travellers. The protestors started to set up a base near Heathrow, erecting marquees and installing toilets, two days ahead of the start of expected protests. They say have "legally occupied" the site, which is  ...

LONDON (Reuters) - The Conservative Party, trailing Labour in the polls, has drawn up plans to slash red tape and regulation in a bid to save businesses 14 billion pounds. John Redwood, the senior Conservative right-winger who drew up the proposals, said he believed they had the backing of party leader David Cameron. The plans, to be presented publicly on Friday, are not official party policy but  ...

A 15-year-old girl has been rescued from a house fire by a neighbour in County Antrim. The man noticed the blaze in Coronation Gardens at Maze near Lisburn at about 0520 BST. It is understood the man went back into the building after saving the girl and he was then led to safety by firefighters. The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of the terrace house.