The breakthrough came late on Friday after marathon talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union. It is hoped the deal will end the dispute, which centres on pay, pensions and flexible working.

Iraq a nightmare, says US general

A FORMER US military chief in Iraq has condemned the current strategy, which he warned was "a nightmare with no end in sight."

Retired lieutenant general Ricardo Sanchez also labelled US political leaders as "incompetent" and "corrupted." He said they would have faced courts martial for dereliction of duty had they been in the military.

The best the US could manage under the current approach in Iraq was to "stave off defeat", he said.

Hindus win Harry Potter row

A COURT in Delhi has rejected a claim for breach of copyright brought by lawyers acting for author JK Rowling. The ruling means a group in Calcutta building a huge model based on the school for wizards in the 'Harry Potter' books can complete their work. The huge replica was being made as part of a Hindu festival. Lawyers acting for Rowling and Warner Bros had argued the model based on Hogwarts School breached copyright.