Football gag lands Letterman`s stage manager in hospital Feb 10, 2010, 5:20 GMT David Letterman's stage manager was hospitalised after trying to catch a football on The Late Show that was thrown by Letterman. ....more

Fleeing war, Afghan migrants fight to survive in Paris grafs 1, 7 (Feature) Feb 10, 2010, 5:04 GMT Paris - 'My life is shit here,' Farshad says angrily, leaning close to a pile of burning scrap wood that had melted a large circle in the snow on a bank of the Canal Saint-Martin in northern Paris. ....more

German firms want to place Korean shipping orders on ice Feb 10, 2010, 5:04 GMT Seoul - German shipowners want to delay taking delivery of vessels they have ordered from South Korean shipyards, a German government official said in Seoul on Wednesday. ....more

Four hydropower plants to start producing in Laos this year Feb 10, 2010, 4:56 GMT Vientiane - Four new hydropower plants are scheduled to begin commercial operation this year in Laos, which aims to become the 'battery of ASEAN' in the near future, media reports said Wednesday. ....more

Sudanese president says relations with Chad improving Feb 10, 2010, 4:44 GMT Nairobi/Khartoum - Sudan's president said a two-day visit by his Chadian counterpart has put the neighbours, at loggerheads over alleged support for rebel groups, on course for normalized relations. ....more

Plenty of positives but weather a worry for Vancouver Games (Roundup) Feb 10, 2010, 4:28 GMT Vancouver - Officials were still working Tuesday to get the freestyle ski and snowboard venue ready as Vancouver geared up for the start of the winter Games. ....more

Oprah`s daytime doc comes under fire for `energy medicine` Feb 10, 2010, 4:20 GMT Oprah Winfrey's medical guru recently came under fire for promoting alternative treatments. ....more

Hong Kong pilot who lost foot in crash expects to fly again soon Feb 10, 2010, 4:16 GMT Hong Kong - A Hong Kong pilot who lost his right foot and lower leg in a motorbike accident in Thailand was preparing Wednesday to leave hospital and said he aims to fly again within six months. ....more

Animal welfare group stops live crayfish games Feb 10, 2010, 4:12 GMT Wellington - An animal welfare group said Wednesday that it had stopped bars in Auckland from using machines that encouraged drinkers to catch live crayfish with a metal claw. ....more

IOC chief Rogge calls for fair Games, praises Vancouver (Roundup) Feb 10, 2010, 4:10 GMT Vancouver - International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge called Tuesday for athletes to uphold the Olympic values at a winter Games free of doping in Vancouver and Whistler. ....more

IOC Session opens in Vancouver, to vote on youth Games host Feb 10, 2010, 4:06 GMT Vancouver - International Olympics Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge opened its 122nd Session in Vancouver Tuesday, three days before the start of the winter Games. ....more

Lindsay Lohan claims ex-girlfriend abused her Feb 10, 2010, 4:05 GMT Lindsay Lohan split with Samantha Ronson but the troubled actress does not appear to have moved on. ....more

Rights groups condemn China's jailing of quake activist Feb 10, 2010, 3:56 GMT Beijing - International rights groups on Wednesday condemned China's jailing of an activist who investigated the deaths of thousands of schoolchildren in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. ....more

US hard-disk drive maker to build factory in Thailand Feb 10, 2010, 3:56 GMT Bangkok - US-based Hutchinson Technology Inc, one of the world's top three suppliers of hard-disk drives, has invested 4.3 billion baht (130 million dollars) in Thailand to open its first factory outside the United States, media reports said Wednesday. ....more

Bradley Cooper`s tan line visible at Valentine`s Day premiere Feb 10, 2010, 3:50 GMT Bradley Cooper's half-baked facial tan attracted attention at the Valentine's Day premiere. ....more

Brunei to launch online Islamic banking and finance courses Feb 10, 2010, 3:26 GMT Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei - A Brunei company announced plans to offer the region's first online master's degree programme in Islamic banking and finance, media reports said Wednesday. ....more

Bear Grylls of 'Man vs. Wild' eats fresh goat testicles this week, video clips Feb 10, 2010, 3:12 GMT Bear Grylls of "Man vs. Wild" will put anything in his mouth and eat it. ....more

Pedestrian killed by woman falling from Hong Kong high-rise block Feb 10, 2010, 3:06 GMT Hong Kong - A pedestrian was killed when a woman falling from the 27th floor of a Hong Kong high-rise block landed on top of her, police said Wednesday. ....more

Wife shortage fuels trade in stolen brides in China (News Feature) Feb 10, 2010, 3:04 GMT Hong Kong - It must be one of the saddest wedding albums in the world. Brides stare out, their youthful features frozen into joyless, bewildered gazes while the grooms carry the look of men grimly determined to enjoy a happiness bought at great cost. ....more

Indonesia struggles to care for mentally ill (Feature) Feb 10, 2010, 3:04 GMT Jakarta - Siti Maemunah says her son has been delusional for more than seven years, often talking to himself and sometimes becoming angry for no apparent reason. ....more

Japanese stocks rebound on hope for aid to debt-ridden Greece Feb 10, 2010, 2:52 GMT Tokyo - Stocks in Tokyo climbed in Wednesday morning trading as debt concerns in Greece eased on hopes of a financial aid plan. ....more

Demetri Martin and Sarah Silverman give us a peek, video clips, Feb. 11 Feb 10, 2010, 2:52 GMT Comics Sarah Silverman and Demetri Martin are lighting up Comedy Central with their new shows. ....more

Japan's machinery orders jump 20 per cent in December Feb 10, 2010, 2:48 GMT Tokyo - Japanese core machinery orders, a leading indicator of corporate capital spending, jumped 20.1 per cent in December from the previous month to 751.2 billion yen (8.36 billion dollars), for the first increase in three months, government data showed Wednesday. ....more

Hugh Hefner hit with shareholder lawsuit Feb 10, 2010, 2:30 GMT Hugh Hefner, 83, was hit with a lawsuit claiming he knocked back potential buyers of his company in order to upkeep a heady lifestyle. ....more

South Beach gets orange grease job, Jersey Shore ahoy Feb 10, 2010, 2:30 GMT Donatella Versace, it's time to put Casa Casuarina security on high alert, because the Guido army from New Jersey plans on infiltrating Ocean Drive, and grease will run orange in the seaside boulevard. ....more

So Long Jay Leno; the primetime final monologue Feb 10, 2010, 2:13 GMT NBC sent us The Jay Leno Show final monologue for February 9, 2010. ....more

Kirkuk's Arabs seek national unity despite sectarianism (News Feature) Feb 10, 2010, 2:08 GMT Kirkuk - The area around the disputed northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk is perhaps a strange place to look for politicians urging civil reconciliation - when much of the embattled country is gripped by fierce sectarianism. ....more

Nearly 379,000 Hondas recalled for airbag problems Feb 10, 2010, 2:06 GMT New York - Japanese automaker Honda has recalled more than 378,750 vehicles in the US due to flawed airbags, American Honda Motor said Tuesday from the division's California headquarters. ....more

Cate Blanchett signs on for Hanna Feb 10, 2010, 2:05 GMT Cate Blanchett has signed on for a role in the movie Hanna, to be directed by Joe Wright. ....more

Drugs cheats warned as Olympics testing well underway (Roundup) Feb 10, 2010, 2:02 GMT Vancouver - Olympic officials are confident of catching drugs cheats at the Vancouver Games with an anti-doping programme they say is more extensive than ever before. ....more

Australian miner doubles first-half profit Feb 10, 2010, 1:52 GMT Sydney - BHP Billiton, the world's biggest mining company, Wednesday surprised analysts by announcing first-half after-tax profits much larger than they had expected. ....more

Tom Cruise signs up for Mission: Impossible IV Feb 10, 2010, 1:50 GMT Tom Cruise will reprise his role as Ethan Hunt in a fourth installment of the Mission: Impossible films, Paramount Pictures have confirmed. ....more

Katherine Heigl lands plum role in One For The Money Feb 10, 2010, 1:35 GMT Katherine Heigl has landed a plum movie role, signing on for One For The Money, according to a US report. ....more

Second large snow storm in week bearing down on US Mid-Atlantic available Feb 10, 2010, 1:24 GMT Washington - Snow began falling on the eastern United States in what was forecast to be the second major snow storm in less than five days as the federal government was ordered shuttered for a third day Wednesday. ....more

Tim Robbins gets spot in Green Lantern Feb 10, 2010, 1:20 GMT Tim Robbins will join the super hero movie Green Lantern – the film will be based on the iconic DC Comics character. ....more

Olympic drugs cheats will be caught, say Games officials Feb 10, 2010, 1:20 GMT Vancouver - Olympic officials are confident of catching drugs cheats at the Vancouver Games with an anti-doping programme they say is more extensive than ever before. ....more

Canada demands gold rush at Vancouver Games (News Feature) Feb 10, 2010, 1:08 GMT Vancouver - The question is not whether Canada will win a gold medal but when. ....more

Matt Damon, Jude Law to reteam for new Soderbergh action thriller Feb 10, 2010, 1:05 GMT Matt Damon and Jude Law will team up for a new flick, Contagion. ....more

Alicia Keys hitting the road with Robin Thicke and Melanie Fiona for ‘Freedom Tour’ Feb 10, 2010, 0:39 GMT Alicia Keys has announced plans for a 21-city tour that will see the twelve-time Grammy Award winning singer hitting the road with Robin Thicke and newcomer Melanie Fiona. Keys’ “The Freedom Tour” kicks off March 3rd at Chicago are Allstate Arena and is scheduled to roll through New York, Boston, and Los Angeles before ending in Oakland on April 10th. ....more

FEATURE; Canada's indigenous people divided over Olympic role Feb 10, 2010, 0:04 GMT Vancouver - Canada is putting the spotlight on its aborigines in the upcoming Olympic Winter Games. ....more

In Pictures: 'Celebrity Fitness' Feb 9, 2010, 23:16 GMT We have added a celebrity fitness gallery featuring shots, past and present, of celebrities striving to stay fit. ....more

Disney earnings flat as theme parks lag Feb 9, 2010, 23:13 GMT Los Angeles - Declines at Disney's iconic theme parks offset a rise in studio profits as the entertainment conglomerate reported flat first quarter profits Tuesday. ....more

Downhill training brought forward as rain forecast for Whistler Feb 9, 2010, 22:40 GMT Whistler, Canada - Men's downhill training on Wednesday has been brought forward as mild weather forced a first schedule change at the Whistler Mountain venue. ....more

Tevez on target again as City go fifth Feb 9, 2010, 21:56 GMT London - Manchester City climbed to fifth in the table with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday. ....more

US stocks buoyed by possible Greek debt solution Feb 9, 2010, 21:56 GMT New York - US stocks posted gains on Tuesday amid hopes that the European Union might consider helping Greece out of its debt crisis. ....more

US denies missile-defence plans holding up START Feb 9, 2010, 21:52 GMT Washington - The United States denied on Tuesday that the plan to deploy missile-defence systems to Europe was holding up negotiations with Russia on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty. ....more

Bremen coach Schaaf delighted to go through (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 21:52 GMT Bremen, Germany - Werder Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf said he was delighted that his side qualified for the semi-finals of the German cup on Tuesday after beating Hoffenheim 2-1. ....more

Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr. begins Feb. 10 - video clips Feb 9, 2010, 21:50 GMT PBS is set to air "Faces of America - With Henry Louis Gates Jr." beginning February 10, 2010. ....more

Bremen through to semi-final of cup after beating Hoffenheim Feb 9, 2010, 21:32 GMT Bremen, Germany - Defending champions Werder Bremen on Tuesday advanced to the semi-finals of the German Cup after beating fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim 2-1 in Bremen. ....more

Clinton to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar Feb 9, 2010, 21:12 GMT Washington - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Saudi Arabia and Qatar later his month and speak at a US-Islam forum, the State Department said Tuesday. ....more

Massive solar storms subject of new NASA launch (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 21:10 GMT Washington - NASA planned to launch a solar probe on Wednesday to help unlock more secrets about the sun, whose massive storms affect Earth's weather and can pose danger to Earth dwellers. ....more

Kristi Yamaguchi has a busy February, PBS special and Working Mom cover girl Feb 9, 2010, 21:03 GMT If only it would start snowing in Vancouver. ....more

Vancouver Games hopes to balance budget Feb 9, 2010, 20:50 GMT Vancouver - Vancouver Games organizers are hoping to balance their budget without help from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). ....more

Google takes on Facebook and Twitter with new Gmail Buzz Feb 9, 2010, 20:44 GMT San Francisco - Google on Tuesday launched a set of social networking tools for Gmail users, hoping to coax them to share photos, links and status updates without the need to visit sites such as Facebook and Twitter. ....more

Massive solar storms subject of new NASA launch Feb 9, 2010, 20:20 GMT Washington - NASA planned to launch a solar probe on Wednesday to help unlock more secrets about the sun, whose massive storms affect Earth's weather and can pose danger to Earth dwellers. ....more

Djokovic scores easy win as injured opponent quits (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 20:18 GMT Rotterdam, Netherlands - World number two Novak Djokovic moved through to the second round in his first appearance since 2007 at the ABN-AMRO World Tennis when Sergiy Stakhovsky quit after less than an hour with a knee problem. ....more

Antonio Sabato Jr. and Danica Patrick zoom up CBS's CSI: NY Feb 9, 2010, 20:12 GMT Tune in alert as CSI: NY will see reality TV star Antonio Sabato Jr. and race car driver Danica Patrick zoom up the action on the long-running drama. ....more

Sanctions against Iran being readied, Obama says Feb 9, 2010, 20:04 GMT Washington - The push for another round of international sanctions against Iran over its nuclear activities is moving 'fairly quickly' and could be ready in the coming weeks, US President Barack Obama said Tuesday. ....more

Obama urges bipartisanship, jobs bill in surprise presser (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 19:56 GMT Washington - President Barack Obama on Tuesday urged both political parties to end a year of bitter disputes and work more closely to restart the struggling US labour market, tackle health care reform and cut the country's burgeoning budget deficit. ....more

Rapper Lil Wayne bids farewell to fans as prison looms Feb 9, 2010, 19:54 GMT Los Angeles - Rapper Lil Wayne bid goodbye to fans Tuesday in an online posting, just a day before he was due to begin a year- long sentence for illegal weapons possession. ....more

Show us missing rights lawyer, EU's Ashton urges China Feb 9, 2010, 19:52 GMT Brussels - The European Union's foreign-policy director on Tuesday urged the Chinese government to say what it knows about the whereabouts of missing human-rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, over a year after his disappearance. ....more

RESULTS 2ND ADD: ABN-AMRO World Tennis Feb 9, 2010, 19:48 GMT Rotterdam, Netherlands - Results Tuesday at the 1.44-million-euro ABN-AMRO World Tennis(x indicates new result). ....more

Ellen DeGeneres denies rift with Simon Cowell Feb 9, 2010, 19:40 GMT Ellen DeGeneres has denied recent suggestions that there is any tension between herself and fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell. ....more

Sex dolls, Pluto's planethood and Stealth for NGC Highlights Feb. 8 - 14, 2010 Feb 9, 2010, 19:40 GMT There's a cornucopia of subjects to peruse on National Geographic this week.  ....more

NHL to kick off season in Prague, Helsinki and Stockholm Feb 9, 2010, 19:22 GMT Prague - Three European capitals - Prague, Helsinki and Stockholm - are to host the National Hockey League's opening games in early October, organizers of the Prague-based games said Tuesday. ....more

Metal prices from London Commodities Exchange Feb 9, 2010, 19:16 GMT London - Final prices in dollars per ton - cash and forward. Also given are the previous trading day's quotations. ....more

Tyrannosaurus Sex premieres February 14th on Discovery Channel Feb 9, 2010, 19:16 GMT Sex and Valentine's Day, a perfect combo and low cost aerobic workout that makes you sweat and feel good. ....more

Iran's nuclear decision undermines credibility, EU's Ashton says Feb 9, 2010, 19:12 GMT Brussels - Iran's decision to start enriching uranium to an unprecedented level of 20 per cent undermines the regime's credibility and could lead to sanctions, the European Union's foreign-policy director warned Tuesday. ....more

London Stock Exchange quotations Feb 9, 2010, 19:08 GMT London - Closing prices in pence on the London Stock Exchange. In brackets movement and percentage change against the previous quotation. ....more

Obama urges more bipartisanship in surprise press conference Feb 9, 2010, 19:02 GMT Washington - US President Barack Obama urged both political parties to work more closely to restart the struggling US labour market, tackle health care reform and cut a burgeoning budget deficit during a surprise press conference on Tuesday. ....more

Ellen DeGeneres spills about American Idol and Cowell, interview clip Feb 9, 2010, 19:01 GMT Ellen DeGeneres is the new meat on "American Idol." ....more

Kelly Osbourne: Lukes made me a better person Feb 9, 2010, 18:55 GMT Kelly Osbourne has revealed that her fiancé Luke Worrall has made her a “better person”. ....more

Greece raises retirement age, cuts pay ahead of strike (2nd Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 18:52 GMT Athens - Greece moved Tuesday to tackle its debt crisis which has shaken global markets and the European Union by pledging tax reforms and increasing the retirement age, ahead of a nationwide strike. ....more

NBC previews of Parks & Rec, The Office, BTS with the Community Cast and 30 Rock Feb 9, 2010, 18:49 GMT NBC fired over the video previews of comedies "Parks and Rec," "The Office," and Behind the Scenes with the "Community" cast and Elizabeth Banks on "30 Rock." ....more

New Soderbergh project attracts big names Feb 9, 2010, 18:45 GMT Marion Cotillard and Kate Winslet are in negotiations to join Matt Damon and Jude Law in Steven Soderbergh's action-thriller "Contagion." ....more

Confident Riesch has all-round medal hopes for Germany (News Feature) Feb 9, 2010, 18:44 GMT Whistler, Canada - If one skiier can upset Lyndsey Vonn's quest for multiple medals at the winter Olympics it's her close friend Maria Riesch. ....more

Winstead and Edgerton ready for 'The Thing' Feb 9, 2010, 18:39 GMT Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Joel Edgerton will star in Universal's latest remake of "The Thing." ....more

Tiger Woods and wife will patch up marriage problems, predicts wedding pastor Feb 9, 2010, 18:35 GMT Tiger Woods' wedding pastor has predicted that the pro-golfer and his estranged wife Elin Nordegren will “work out” their problems. ....more

Tim Robbins joins 'Green Lantern' Feb 9, 2010, 18:31 GMT Tim Robbins has joined the cast of Warner Bros.’ "Green Lantern," based on the DC Comics superhero. ....more

Evacuations ordered as more mudslides threaten California Feb 9, 2010, 18:26 GMT Los Angeles - Authorities in southern California issued evacuation orders to some 500 residences Tuesday that are threatened by mudslides in a prolonged bout of unusually wet weather. ....more

Ellen DeGeneres wife Portia De Rossi tells all in new book Feb 9, 2010, 18:22 GMT Arrested Development star Portia De Rossi is to lift the lid on her private life in an emotional tell-all book. ....more

Tsvangirai rubbishes new Zimbabwe indigenization law (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 18:20 GMT Harare - Regulations published Tuesday in Zimbabwe declaring that large companies must hand blacks a 51 per cent stake within five years were summarily dismissed as 'null and void' by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. ....more

Lucy Punch knows a 'Bad Teacher' Feb 9, 2010, 18:17 GMT Lucy Punch will join Cameron Diaz in the comedy "Bad Teacher," which Jake Kasdan is directing for Columbia. ....more

Toni Collette deals with more alters, United States of Tara new preview clips Feb 9, 2010, 18:17 GMT "The United States of Tara" brings on a new season, as Toni Collette's afflicted Tara deals with her Dissociative identity disorder (D.I.D) with meds and more alters to add to the mix. ....more

Jamie Lynn Spears splits from baby father Feb 9, 2010, 18:10 GMT Britney Spears' little sister Jamie Lynn has become a single mother at 18, after reportedly breaking up with her fiancé Casey Aldridge. ....more

Macedonia hopes to complete EU accession talks within five years Feb 9, 2010, 18:00 GMT Prague - Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said Tuesday that he would like his country to start and complete accession talks with the European Union within five years. ....more

Robert Pattinson reportedly too busy filming to promote new movie Feb 9, 2010, 17:55 GMT Twilight star Robert Pattinson will not be promoting his new movie Remember Me in the US due to his hectic filming schedule, according to reports. ....more

Former Iranian minister given five-year jail term Feb 9, 2010, 17:52 GMT Tehran - Former Iranian industries minister Behzad Nabavi has been given a six-year jail term for his involvement in the post-election protests against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the news agency ISNA and opposition websites reported Tuesday. ....more

Tymoshenko to challenge Ukraine election result Feb 9, 2010, 17:46 GMT    Kiev - Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko will contest the results of Sunday's presidential vote as soon as her defeat is formally announced, local media reported Tuesday. ....more

Seven church workers dead in Ukraine highway accident Feb 9, 2010, 17:43 GMT    Kiev - Six Christian Orthodox priests and a church worker died in highway accident in Ukraine, Channel 5 television reported Tuesday. ....more

Michelle Obama takes centre stage, tackles childhood obesity Feb 9, 2010, 17:43 GMT Washington - US First Lady Michelle Obama stepped into the limelight Tuesday to lead a campaign that will seek ways of reducing childhood obesity, which affects nearly one third of children in the United States. ....more

82nd Oscar Noms Makeup Artist and Hairstylist Symposium on March 6 Feb 9, 2010, 17:42 GMT The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presents the annual must-see event for makeup artists and hairstylists that celebrates the work of the craft's three nominated artist teams for the Academy Award. ....more

Ringo gets a Starr on Hollywood Walk of Fame Feb 9, 2010, 17:40 GMT Former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has become the 2,401st celebrity to be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ....more

International stock market quotations Feb 9, 2010, 17:36 GMT Frankfurt - The following index quotations were noted on the world's major stock markets: <#> February 9 February 8 Difference ....more

Frankfurt Stock Exchange quotations Feb 9, 2010, 17:32 GMT Frankfurt - Frankfurt Stock Exchange closing prices in euros. In brackets the point movement of index/price movement of stocks against previous quotation: ....more

Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush have $100 Valentine`s Day budget Feb 9, 2010, 17:28 GMT Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Reggie Bush are setting a $100 budget on Valentine's Day this year. ....more

Second snow storm bearing down on US Feb 9, 2010, 17:28 GMT Washington - The United States was bracing for its second major snow storm in less than five days even as the federal government remained shuttered Tuesday while the Washington region digs out from the first one. ....more

Britain`s Got Talent judges come to London to film auditions Feb 9, 2010, 17:10 GMT Britain's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and Amanda Holden have come to London to film the show's auditions. ....more

Rock on the Range features Slash and the return of Limp Bizkit Feb 9, 2010, 17:07 GMT More than 38 bands are expected to take the stage for the fourth annual Rock on the Range festival at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The music festival will be held on May 22nd and 23rd and will be highlighted by the return of Limp Bizkit and a solo performance from Slash.  ....more

In Pictures: 'Maxim's Super Bowl Party' Feb 9, 2010, 17:05 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Maxim's Super Bowl Party". ....more

Parliament dissolved in Sri Lanka (2nd Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 17:04 GMT Colombo - Parliament in Sri Lanka has been dissolved with effect from midnight Tuesday ahead of new elections, officials said. ....more

Mel B plans on having two more children Feb 9, 2010, 16:55 GMT Former Spice Girls star Mel B has said she's planning on having two more children in the next few years. ....more

Iran starts 20-per-cent uranium enrichment process profile in grafs 8-11 (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 16:52 GMT Tehran/Vienna - Iran on Tuesday started the 20-per-cent uranium enrichment process, the head of the country's Atomic Energy Organization said. ....more

In Pictures: '4th Annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl' Feb 9, 2010, 16:51 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "4th Annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl". ....more

RESULTS 1ST ADD: ABN-AMRO World Tennis Feb 9, 2010, 16:48 GMT Rotterdam, Netherlands - Results Tuesday at the 1.44- million-euro ABN-AMRO World Tennis (x indicates new result). ....more

European Parliament approves new EU commission (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 16:44 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Parliament approved Tuesday the new European Commission led by former Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Barroso, clearing the way for it to take office for the next five years. ....more

Kelly Osbourne suffers from bunions - just like Victoria Beckham Feb 9, 2010, 16:40 GMT Kelly Osbourne has revealed that she also suffers from bunions - just as Victoria Beckham does. ....more

Latvian government gives 142 million euros to bailed-out bank Parex Feb 9, 2010, 16:40 GMT Riga - The government in the financially troubled Baltic state of Latvia agreed Tuesday to give 100 million lats (142 million euros) to nationalized bank Parex in order guarantee its medium-term future. ....more

Frattini: Demonstrators target Italy's embassy in Iran embassies (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 16:38 GMT Rome/Tehran - Around 100 demonstrators attempted to attack Italy's embassy in Tehran on Tuesday before they were blocked by police, said Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. ....more

Howard Stern for Idol? Feb 9, 2010, 16:38 GMT Howard Stern is considering joining the 'American Idol' judging panel. ....more

UBS reports 1.12bn dollar profit in fourth quarter (2nd Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 16:36 GMT Geneva - The Swiss banking giant UBS reported a 1.205 billion franc (1.12 billion dollars) profit Tuesday for the fourth quarter of 2009 - even as client money outflows continued. ....more

Greek tragedy overshadows Van Rompuy's first summit (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 16:32 GMT Brussels - The disastrous state of Greece's public finances and the danger of its undermining the euro as a whole looked set to overshadow the European Union's forthcoming summit on Thursday as the bloc's new president prepared for his inaugural meeting. ....more

Kelly Osbourne needs Luke near Feb 9, 2010, 16:31 GMT Kelly Osbourne can't be apart from her fiance. ....more

Shy singer Lady Gaga Feb 9, 2010, 16:31 GMT Lady Gaga feels too shy for Hollywood. ....more

Charlie Sheen fights for marriage Feb 9, 2010, 16:31 GMT Charlie Sheen is having "intense" therapy. ....more

Joe Jackson blasts 'fall guy' Murray Feb 9, 2010, 16:31 GMT Joe Jackson thinks Dr. Conrad Murray has been made a "fall guy" in his son Michael Jackson's death. ....more

Jessica Alba's dating advice Feb 9, 2010, 16:30 GMT Jessica Alba thinks men should always pay on dates. ....more

Briton convicted of terrorism charges goes free after appeal Feb 9, 2010, 16:28 GMT London - A 24-year-old British man portrayed as a 'wannabe suicide bomber' at his trial three years ago walked free from jail Tuesday after a court quashed his conviction on the grounds that he suffered a 'miscarriage of justice.' ....more

Spanish king concludes visit to Lebanon by inspecting UNIFIL Feb 9, 2010, 16:28 GMT Beirut - King Juan Carlos of Spain concluded a two-day visit to Lebanon Tuesday by visiting the headquarters of his country's UNIFIL contingent in southern Lebanon. ....more

Obama discusses jobs, deficit with congressional leaders Feb 9, 2010, 16:28 GMT Washington - President Barack Obama met with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders on Tuesday, hoping to iron out differences over how to jumpstart US job growth and cut a skyrocketing budget deficit. ....more

Jessica Alba slams rumours her husband kissed Lindsay Lohan as `ridiculous` Feb 9, 2010, 16:25 GMT Hollywood actress Jessica Alba has said rumours her husband kissed Lindsay Lohan are 'ridiculous'. ....more

Lawyers demand jail remission for German terrorism accused Feb 9, 2010, 16:24 GMT Dusseldorf - A German Muslim who gave a detailed account of his terrorist training and the tricks used to avoid military scrutiny is entitled to a big reduction in his jail sentence, a lawyer told a terrorism trial Tuesday. ....more

Parliament dissolved in Sri Lanka Feb 9, 2010, 16:22 GMT Colombo - Parliament in Sri Lanka has been dissolved with effect from midnight Tuesday ahead of new elections, officials said. ....more

Barcelona defender Abidal out for two months Feb 9, 2010, 16:20 GMT Madrid - World champions Barcelona announced on Tuesday that left-back Eric Abidal will be out of action for around two months with a torn abductor muscle in his left leg. ....more

Moscow demands US drop missile defence shield plans Feb 9, 2010, 16:18 GMT Moscow - Russia wants the signing of a new treaty on nuclear disarmament to be dependent on the US dropping its planned missile defence shield in Europe, said Russian Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov Tuesday. ....more

Report: Top al-Qaeda man killed in Somalia Feb 9, 2010, 16:16 GMT Nairobi/Mogadishu - A Somali minister on Tuesday claimed that government forces had killed a senior al-Qaeda fighter who was also a member of Somali insurgent group al-Shabaab. ....more

Polish Senate speaker praises relations with Russia Feb 9, 2010, 16:14 GMT Warsaw - Polish Senate speaker Bogdan Borusewicz, on a visit to Moscow, said Warsaw's relations with Russia have much improved and are now in a 'different place' than they were until recently, reported the Polish Press Agency PAP on Tuesday. ....more

UN rights council hears Italy on migrants, Roma Feb 9, 2010, 16:12 GMT Geneva - Italy came under criticism Tuesday at the United Nations' Human Rights Council in Geneva for its record on migration, minorities and the independence of the judiciary. ....more

Brooklyn Decker says mag cover gives hubby Andy Roddick `bragging rights` Feb 9, 2010, 16:10 GMT Model Brooklyn Decker says her sexy new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover gives husband Andy Roddick 'bragging rights'. ....more

Versailles Palace hit by economic crisis Feb 9, 2010, 16:04 GMT Paris - The Palace of Versailles outside Paris is trying to recover from the effects of the global economic crisis, the director of the popular tourist site, Jean-Jacques Aillagon, said Tuesday. ....more

In Pictures: '4th Annual Saturday Night Spectacular Celebration' Feb 9, 2010, 16:04 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "4th Annual Saturday Night Spectacular Celebration". ....more

In Pictures: 'Playboy's Super Bowl Party at the Sagamore Hotel Miami' Feb 9, 2010, 16:03 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Playboy's Super Bowl Party at the Sagamore Hotel Miami". ....more

Howard Stern's sewage promise for American Idol Feb 9, 2010, 16:02 GMT Sacramento FOX affiliate FOX40 and Sirius/XM star Howard Stern are waging a battle on the airwaves after a FOX40 air personality slammed the idea of Stern stepping into Simon Cowell's soon to be departing shoes. ....more

Danish premier calls new diplomat meeting on climate change Feb 9, 2010, 15:56 GMT Copenhagen - Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Tuesday said he has invited foreign diplomats in Denmark to meet in April to discuss the outcome of the recent UN climate change summit hosted in Copenhagen. ....more

Courteney Cox loves having younger husband Feb 9, 2010, 15:55 GMT Cougar Town star Courteney Cox has said she loves having a younger husband as it makes her feel 'gorgeous'. ....more

ANALYSIS: Where will Barroso's new commission steer Europe? Feb 9, 2010, 15:52 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Union's new executive officers have taken the helm: The question now is which way they will steer it. ....more

Iraqi oil minister says Kurdish oil exports to resume soon Feb 9, 2010, 15:50 GMT Baghdad - Oil exports from northern Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region will resume 'in the near future,' Iraqi Oil Minister Hussein al-Shahristani said Tuesday. ....more

Italian official: Demonstrators target Italy's embassy in Iran Feb 9, 2010, 15:44 GMT Rome/Tehran - Around 100 demonstrators attempted Tuesday to attack Italy's embassy in Tehran before they were blocked by Iranian police, according to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. ....more

Fans of beleaguered Lazio invade club headquarters Feb 9, 2010, 15:42 GMT Rome - Police clashed with fans of Lazio who Tuesday afternoon burst into the team's training ground to protest against the struggling Serie A side as it appears set on hiring a new coach. ....more

Farrah Fawcett`s famous golden hair put up for sale Feb 9, 2010, 15:40 GMT A lock of iconic actress Farrah Fawcett's famous golden hair has been put up for sale for $1,000. ....more

Swiss Chiudinelli makes Rotterdam breakthrough in main draw debut Feb 9, 2010, 15:36 GMT Rotterdam, Netherlands - Swiss Marco Chiudinelli finally cracked the code at the ABN-AMRO World Tennis Tuesday, securing victory on his main draw start with a 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (8-6) defeat of former champion Michael Llodra. ....more

Latvian economy shrinks nearly 18 per cent in fourth quarter (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 15:32 GMT Riga - The economy in Latvia, which has been the hardest hit of all 27 European Union (EU) member states by the global economic crisis, contracted by nearly 18 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared to the same period a year ago, data released Tuesday showed. ....more

Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller on verge of rekindling romance Feb 9, 2010, 15:25 GMT Troubled couple Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller could be on the verge of rekindling their romance after a violent row over Christmas. ....more

Vatican refutes "false" reports on plot to oust Catholic editor Feb 9, 2010, 15:24 GMT Vatican City - The Vatican on Tuesday issued an unusually strong-worded statement rebutting reports that the resignation last year of the editor of a Italian bishops' newspaper was the result of a behind-the-scenes Holy See power struggle. ....more

Toy orders surge and German fair demands more space Feb 9, 2010, 15:22 GMT Nuremberg, Germany - Commercial orders for toys grew significantly at this year's Nuremberg Toy Fair as the industry emerged from last year's downturn, the chief organizer of the six-day event, Ernst Kick, said Tuesday. ....more

Stephen Colbert full 'retard' interview on Late Night, Feb. 8 Feb 9, 2010, 15:19 GMT Satirical faux news pundit Stephen Colbert took on the Tea Party darling Sarah Palin. ....more

A Dangerous Man - DVD Review Feb 9, 2010, 15:19 GMT It coincides with best picture nominee A Serious Man, but that made me ponder what if the Coen Brothers would direct a Steven Seagal action film.  Those results would be interesting. This latest entry in Seagal’s filmography turns out to be not so bad but still more of the same.   ....more

: New Zimbabwean law says blacks must own 51 per cent of firms Feb 9, 2010, 15:12 GMT Harare - White business executives in Zimbabwe will be forced to ensure that blacks have a 51-per-cent controlling interest in their companies within the next five years, according to a draconian new law published Tuesday. ....more

Drew Barrymore doesn`t worry about getting older Feb 9, 2010, 15:10 GMT Hollywood actress Drew Barrymore says she doesn't worry about getting older. ....more

French soldier killed in Afghanistan (Extra) Feb 9, 2010, 15:06 GMT Paris - A French soldier was killed Tuesday in Afghanistan, the Defence Ministry said on its web site. ....more

White Collar's Willie Garson interview on Late Night Feb 9, 2010, 15:02 GMT Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on February 9 featured guests Stephen Colbert, Willie Garson and chef Eric Ripert. ....more

Bahrain mobile operator offers free broadband Feb 9, 2010, 15:00 GMT Manama, Bahrain - Bahrain's Viva network announced Tuesday certain customers would receive free and unlimited broadband, in a bid to lure in new clients. ....more

Real striker Benzema to miss clash against former club Lyon Feb 9, 2010, 15:00 GMT Madrid - Karim Benzema will miss the February 16 clash between Real Madrid and Olympique Lyon, his former club, Real announced on Tuesday. ....more

EU's Barroso: Parliament won't be able to fire commissioners (Extra) Feb 9, 2010, 14:56 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Parliament will not be able to fire sitting members of the European Commission despite a new agreement giving it some influence on the matter, commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday. ....more

Brooklyn Decker`s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover was `dream come true` Feb 9, 2010, 14:55 GMT Model Brooklyn Decker said her recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover was a 'dream come true'. ....more

New Zimbabwean law says blacks must own 51 per cent of all firms Feb 9, 2010, 14:54 GMT Harare - White business executives in Zimbabwe will be forced to ensure that blacks have a 51-per-cent controlling interest in their companies within the next five years, according to a draconian new law published Tuesday. ....more

Van Rompuy to urge joint EU economic management (1st Lead) Feb 9, 2010, 14:44 GMT Brussels - The European Union's new president is to call for joint EU economic management at a summit on Thursday, including plans to allow member states to oversee one another's policies, according to draft papers. ....more

UBS reports 1.12bn dollar profit in fourth quarter (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 14:42 GMT Geneva - The Swiss banking giant UBS reported a 1.205 billion franc (1.12 billion dollars) profit Tuesday for the fourth quarter of 2009 - even as client money outflows continued. ....more

Eric Dane is `excited` to be having daughter Feb 9, 2010, 14:40 GMT Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane has said he is 'excited' to be having a daughter. ....more

A Serious Man – DVD Review Feb 9, 2010, 14:40 GMT It is always hard to review a Coen brother’s film, and A Serious Man is no exception.  Images and dialogue, sometimes just moments in length, roll around in your head, and ideas that you didn’t actually have while seeing the movie suddenly occur.  ....more

German exports up; China emerges as world's top trader (Correction) Feb 9, 2010, 14:38 GMT Berlin - German exports increased in December by a surprise 3 per cent, to record their fourth consecutive monthly gain and their first annual rise since October, the statistics office said Tuesday. ....more

EU's Almunia: "Serious risk" of Greek crisis spreading to others Feb 9, 2010, 14:36 GMT Strasbourg - There is a 'serious risk' that the financial crisis hitting Greece may spread to other euro zone countries, the outgoing European commissioner for economic affairs, Joaquin Almunia, told the European parliament on Thursday. ....more

Avalanches in Afghanistan kill over 30, strand 1,500 (2nd Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 14:36 GMT Kabul - At least 30 people were killed and more than 70 injured in avalanches in northern Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday. ....more

Divided Lebanon Christians mark St Maroun in separate masses (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 14:34 GMT Beirut/Damascus - Lebanese Christians celebrated separately the 1600th anniversary of the death of the founder of the Maronite faith, Saint Maroun, Tuesday in two masses - one held in Beirut and the other in the Syrian city of Aleppo. ....more

Berlinale clears ice from streets around festival (Extra) Feb 9, 2010, 14:32 GMT Berlin - Parts of the German capital might have been transformed into ice-skating rinks after weeks of snow and sub-zero temperatures. ....more

US, NATO soldiers killed in southern Afghanistan Feb 9, 2010, 14:32 GMT Kabul - Two NATO soldiers, including a US service member, were killed in attacks in southern Afghanistan, where NATO asked the local residents to stay in their homes ahead of a major operation expected in the coming days, officials said Tuesday. ....more

ANC: Mandela will not be part of celebrations at former prison Feb 9, 2010, 14:32 GMT Johannesburg - South Africa's ruling African National Congress said former president Nelson Mandela, 91, would not be taking part in commemorations at his former jail on Thursday to mark the 20th anniversary of his release from prison. ....more

Mumbai police promise tight security for new film release Feb 9, 2010, 14:28 GMT New Delhi - Mumbai's police commissioner Tuesday assured the makers of My Name is Khan that theatres showing the film would be provided with tight security amid reports of attacks on ticket agents by Hindu extremists. ....more

UN appeals for 537-million-dollar aid to help displaced Pakistanis Feb 9, 2010, 14:26 GMT Islamabad - The United Nations on Tuesday appealed for 537-million-dollar aid for thousands of Pakistanis affected by the military assault against Taliban militants in the country's north-west region. ....more

Attention editors Feb 9, 2010, 14:26 GMT dpa infographic No. 11961, The European Commission, is now ready for download. It can be used with eca 139, German exports up; China emerges as world's top trader. dpa ms ....more

Anne Hathaway denounced Catholicism after brother `came out` Feb 9, 2010, 14:25 GMT Anne Hathaway has revealed she denounced Catholicism after her elder brother Michael revealed he was gay. ....more

ANALYSIS: Toyota recalls the Prius, the future of the carmaker Feb 9, 2010, 14:24 GMT Tokyo - Toyota Motor Corp on Tuesday added four other models to its list of massive recalls worldwide, including the Prius - the top-selling hybrid and the world's largest automaker biggest hope for the future. ....more

Workers stole steel parts before historic German archive collapsed Feb 9, 2010, 14:10 GMT Cologne, Germany - Prosecutors investigating the collapse of one of Germany's main archives said Tuesday workers have admitted they stole reinforcing steel intended for a retaining wall under the building. ....more

Madonna`s manager tipped to replace Cowell on Idol Feb 9, 2010, 14:10 GMT Madonna's manager Guy Oseary is being tipped to replace Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol. Oseary is said to be keen to step into Cowell's shoes on the hit Fox network show. ....more

Euro troubles to dominate EU summit, socialist leader says Feb 9, 2010, 14:08 GMT Strasbourg, France - The financial crisis faced by Greece and other eurozone members such as Spain and Portugal will dominate the upcoming meeting of European Union leaders, the leader of the socialists in the European Parliament said Tuesday. ....more

ANALYSIS: Iran expands enrichment - sabre-rattling or strategy? Feb 9, 2010, 14:08 GMT Tehran - Until now the world's attention has focussed on Iran enriching uranium to 3.5 per cent. Now Tehran has said it has expanded the process to include 20-per-cent enrichment. ....more

The Unseen Movie Review - Valentine’s Day Feb 9, 2010, 14:07 GMT Movie studios always target specific holidays with movies geared towards that day.  In a world where the opening weekend is the only box office that matters it makes perfect sense.  ....more

Dutch government admits failings in response to Iraq war inquiry Feb 9, 2010, 14:04 GMT Amsterdam - The Dutch government should have provided more information to parliament during the months lead up to the the US-led invasion of Iraq, the cabinet admitted Tuesday. ....more

German exports up; China emerges as world's top trader (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 14:00 GMT Berlin - German exports increased in December by a surprise 3 per cent, to record their fourth consecutive monthly gain and their first annual rise since October, the statistics office said Tuesday. ....more

Campus violence kills one, injures dozens in Bangladesh Feb 9, 2010, 13:56 GMT Dhaka - Fierce clashes between two rival student groups at a northern Bangladeshi university have left at least one student dead and many others injured, police said Tuesday. ....more

Annie Lennox against building plans in home town of Aberdeen Feb 9, 2010, 13:55 GMT Singer Annie Lennox has said she is against plans to concrete over the Union Terrace Garden in her home town of Aberdeen. ....more

A baby on Christmas Eve is special, figures in Britain show Feb 9, 2010, 13:54 GMT London - Whether by accident or design, more babies are born on Christmas Eve in Britain than on any other day of the year, statistics published Tuesday showed. ....more

India, Turkey to scale up cooperation to counter terrorism Feb 9, 2010, 13:52 GMT New Delhi - India and Turkey Tuesday decided to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism and boost economic ties, specially in the area of science and technology. ....more

DFB confirms contract discussions with Loew only after World Cup Feb 9, 2010, 13:48 GMT Frankfurt - The German football federation (DFB) confirmed Tuesday that discussions with national team coach Joachim Loew over a contract extension will continue after this summer's World Cup in South Africa. ....more

Avalanches in Afghanistan kills 28, strands 1,500 (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 13:48 GMT Kabul - Twenty-eight people were killed and 70 injured in avalanches in northern Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday. ....more

In Pictures: 'Photo Shoot with Actress Lisa Cash' Feb 9, 2010, 13:45 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Photo Shoot with Actress Lisa Cash". ....more

Russia to take advantage of US dependency on space shuttle Feb 9, 2010, 13:44 GMT Moscow - Russia is planning to make more money out of ferrying US astronauts into space with its 'Soyuz' capsule when NASA retires its Space Shuttles at the end of 2010, Russian space agency chief Anatoli Perminov said Tuesday. ....more

Holly Madison finds perfect match - in Miami Feb 9, 2010, 13:40 GMT Former Girls Next Door star Holly Madison has revealed she's found her perfect match - in the city of Miami. ....more

The Time Traveler’s Wife – DVD Review Feb 9, 2010, 13:33 GMT The story of the Time Traveler’s Wife is from the best-selling book by Audrey Niffenegger.  It’s a moving, graceful film but the concept of time travel might not be everyone’s cup of tea.  If you have fond memories of Somewhere in Time then this film might also hit that same emotional cord.   ....more

Taiwan denies dropping plan to buy US submarines Feb 9, 2010, 13:32 GMT Taipei - Taiwan on Tuesday denied a news report that it dropped plans to buy US submarines, saying the purchase plan is still on the table. ....more

Greek airports to close in strike over budget cuts (Roundup) Feb 9, 2010, 13:30 GMT Athens - All flights to and from Greece will be disrupted Wednesday as civil aviation workers plan to join a civil servants' strike, whilst the country attempts to tackle a debt crisis that has shaken the entire European Union and single currency. ....more

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz would love another baby Feb 9, 2010, 13:25 GMT Broadway star Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has admitted that she would love to have another baby one day. ....more

Bertelsmann withdraws from Italy bookselling venture Feb 9, 2010, 13:24 GMT Guetersloh, Germany - Bertelsmann, the world's biggest book publisher, has given up Italian bookselling interests, announcing Tuesday the sale of its one-half stake in the Mondolibri book club and the bol.it online bookstore. ....more

Google threatens Chinese "Big Sister" with legal action Feb 9, 2010, 13:22 GMT Beijing - US search engine Google Inc has threatened legal action against a new Chinese website for imitating its logo, news reports said Tuesday. ....more

European Parliament approves new EU commission (2nd Lead) Feb 9, 2010, 13:22 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Parliament approved Tuesday the new European Commission led by former Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Barroso, clearing the way for it to take office for the next five years. ....more

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sue British tabloid, lawyers confirm Feb 9, 2010, 13:20 GMT London - Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have launched legal proceedings against a British tabloid newspaper over 'false and intrusive' allegations that they were to separate, a top London law firm has confirmed. ....more

Vettel prepares for first F1 track meeting of 2010 with Schumacher Feb 9, 2010, 13:20 GMT Hamburg - Red Bull launches its new RB6 car for the 2010 Formula One season on Wednesday with Sebastian Vettel beginning two days of pre-season testing Friday in Jerez. ....more

India defers decision to introduce genetically modified aubergine Feb 9, 2010, 13:16 GMT New Delhi - India on Tuesday deferred commercial cultivation of a genetically modified aubergine until further research was done on its long-term impact on health and the environment. ....more

BACKGROUND: Who's who in the European Commission Feb 9, 2010, 13:16 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Commission, approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday, is set to steer European Union lawmaking for the next five years. ....more

European Parliament approves new EU commission (Urgent) Feb 9, 2010, 13:12 GMT Strasbourg, France - The European Parliament approved Tuesday the new European Commission led by former Portuguese prime minister Jose Manuel Barroso, clearing the way for it to take office for the next five years. ....more