London - Britain's HBOS bank, one of the first to turn to investors for a cash boost, said Monday that less than 10 per cent of its shareholders had taken part in a rights issue of 4 billion pounds (8 billion dollars). 

Halifax Bank of Scotland said just 8.29 per cent of investors opted to buy heavily discounted shares as part of the scheme to help strengthen its balance sheet, announced in April. 

This means that the rights issue's underwriters, Morgan Stanley and Dresdner Kleinwort, have to find buyers for more than 3.6 billion pounds worth of shares by Tuesday's deadline, or accept the stock themselves if they fail to do so. 

London, July 21 : If you want your lady love to leap into your arms with joy, then all you have to do is give her the new range of chocolates that are being sold at Harrods that come with a price tag of whopping 5,000 pounds and are wrapped in Indian silk.

Made by renowned Lebanese chocolatier Patchi, every part of the chocolate, made from finest grown cocoa, is meticulously prepared.

The 49 chocolates are hand wrapped and placed on suede leather partitioned with gold and platinum.

Each and every chocolate is adorned with gold and Swarovski crystal and silk rose.

These are then placed in a stunning box made of genuine leather and magnificent hand woven silk from India and China. 

London, July 21: A rapid influx of immigrants in the UK has put pressure on housing and schools, making British citizens fearful of their prospects being limited, a new report has warned.

The claims come as it emerged that 1billion pound is being spent on putting up foreigners in council houses - despite two million people waiting for a home.

The report titled “Immigration and Social Cohesion in the UK”, uncovered a stark divide in how parts of the UK adapt to new migrants.

While many people value their children growing up with cultural diversity, some feel their opportunities are reduced because of immigration.

London, July 21: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been accused of betraying the country with a “grubby” surrender to Brussels by ratifying the Lisbon Treaty, a Daily Express poll has confirmed.

An overwhelming 99 per cent of readers felt cheated by the Prime Minister when he tamely surrendered ­sovereignty to Europe this week, the poll revealed.

Asked if Brown had sold us down the river, they answered with a resounding “Yes”.

Thousands demanded that Labour give the country the referendum we were promised before the last general election.

Jerusalem - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown was set to address the Israeli parliament early Monday afternoon, before wrapping up a two-day visit to Israel and the West Bank. 

Brown will be the first British prime minister to speak before the Knesset. The address marks 60 years since Israel was founded. 

London, July 21 : British Army Special Air Service (SAS) team has revealed plans to cut down casualty rates in Iraq and Afghanistan by parachuting in German shepherds to spy on rebels.

The Sun reported that the dogs are being trained to leap from planes at 25,000ft wearing their own oxygen masks and strapped to Special Forces teams.

Once down in hostile terrain in Iraq or Afghanistan, the dogs will be sent in first to seek out insurgents'' hideouts with tiny cameras fixed to their heads. 

The cameras will beam live TV pictures back to the troops, warning of ambushes or showing enemy leaders'' locations.