Robbie Williams has gone on strike, illegal downloads still abound and EMI is slashing thousands of jobs. The UK music market, traditionally one of the most resilient in the world, is having a torrid year. But one of the world's best-known music retailers said today that the record industry's gloom is overdone. The HMV boss, Simon Fox, sees the year ahead being even stronger thanks to new albums from popular artists such as U2, Madonna, Kasabian, Keane and Dido. (The Guardian)