30 killed in hotel blaze.

Flames engulfed the top three floors of a hotel in southern China, killing 30 people today.

Another 15 people were injured, four of them seriously, in the fire at the four-storey Huanan Hotel in Shantou.

It took three hours to extinguish the blaze and firefighters said the cause was under investigation.

Spider apology

SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury apologised today to a pensioner who collapsed after being bitten by an exotic spider as he reached for a bunch of bananas. Phillip Travenen, 65, of Newport, south Wales, spent a night under observation in hospital after it happened.

Delay is safe

PEOPLE who suffer infrequent epileptic seizures do not need to be given drug treatment immediately, doctors said today. A study published in The Lancet claimed delaying medication would not increase the risk of chronic epilepsy or harm quality of life.

Gun runners

A RE-ENACTMENT of the gunpowder runs made to stock up HMS Victory with ammunition ahead of the Battle of Trafalgar was taking place at Portsmouth Harbour today as part of the 200th anniversary celebrations of Nelson's famous victory.

Peace talks

SUDAN's government and Darfur rebels have launched their latest peace effort with delegates meeting in Nigeria for talks aimed at ending a two-year conflict which has killed tens of thousands of civilians and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing.

Exports deal

THE European Union and China have agreed to limit surging Chinese textile exports, settling a dispute which threatened to cause a major trade disruption. The agreement provides for staggered increases in Chinese textile exports over the next three years.

Lenny tribute

COMEDIAN Lenny Henry, pictured, returned to his Midlands home town Dudley today to officially open a pounds 4.4m housing complex named in honour of his late mother Winifred. She was a member of the church which founded its builder, Nehemiah Housing Association.