London The FTSE 100 closed well in the black on positive broker views on the pharma and life insurance sectors and M&A in mining and utilities. Wall Street was trading higher. VEDANTA [+7.16%] was firm on talk of bid interest from China.

IT could be the most foul-mouthed reality TV show of all time. American rapper Ice T has reportedly been hired to take part in a new programme called Rap School.

By Erik Kirschbaum BERLIN (Reuters) - A row between Germany's two biggest cities over attempts to snatch each other's businesses has degenerated into ugly name-calling and torn open historical rivalries that go beyond just another tale of two cities.

NEW YORK (Billboard) - VH1 pays tribute to the spirit and influence of hip-hop with its second annual "VH1 Hip-Hop Honors" event, hosted by Russell Simmons and his brother, Run-D.M.C. co-founder Rev. Run.