A summary of the news from Thursday's papers.

The odd expletive escapes most people's mouths in times of stress, but when we fall back on swear words just for effect, asks Clive James, have we really just run out of ideas?

US comedian Sarah Silverman is heckled on stage during her UK stand-up debut in London.

All the action and reaction from the the second debate between US presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama.

Comedian Edward Aczel appears to be a shambles - but the award winner has worked hard at perfecting his unkempt act.

How Devon Malcolm rewrote Test cricket folklore with one of the most devastating spells of fast bowling.

The BBC's Ben Wright samples the atmosphere ahead of the Haltemprice and Howden by-election.

World number three Novak Djokovic takes on Paul-Henri Mathieu at the French Open.

From Chaucer to Carry On to Clary, Britons have long lapped it up. So to speak. And a master such as the late Humphrey Lyttelton made almost anything sound unspeakably filthy. How did he do it?

How does it feel to be working while most people are sleeping? In the third of a series following those who drive Britain's 24-hour society through the small hours, we join rubbish collectors in central London.

Controversial Australian comedian Brendon Burns wins the Edinburgh Fringe Festival's top comedy prize.

Arctic explorer Jim McNeill writes about his experiences searching for Arctic wolves.

Serena Williams defies injury to win on another rain-affected day at Wimbledon.

If the young and gifted are also black, they are fated to be role models, whether they want to or not, says Clive James.

After an uncomfortable pre-Budget report a year ago, Chancellor Gordon Brown looks set to expand his prediction for UK growth.

Officially 267 people sleep rough in London but homeless charities claim the figure is closer to 1,500.

Who are the five acts shortlisted for the 2006 if.comeddies, Edinburgh's leading comedy awards?

Jean-Jacques Tizie may be the only player at the World Cup with one testicle

Everyone's got a surname, but now a website will shed light on how posh it is and if it is the Jones that people should be trying to keep up with.

People are asked to join a Laugh-a-thon and giggle for an hour to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.