Peter Iliff to pump up 'American Gladiators' Nov 21, 2009, 1:03 GMT Writer Peter Iliff has been hired to adapt a big-screen version of "American Gladiators." ....more

Sam Worthington does the 'Crime' Nov 21, 2009, 1:00 GMT Sam Worthington is attached to star in the sci-fi film "The Last Days of American Crime." ....more

Uma Thurman goes with 'Bel Ami' Nov 21, 2009, 0:53 GMT Uma Thurman has signed on to star opposite Robert Pattinson in an adaptation of Guy de Maupassant's short story "Bel Ami." ....more

Brad Pitt likes 'Dark Void' Nov 21, 2009, 0:47 GMT Brad Pitt's Plan B production company and India’s Reliance Big Pictures have agreed to a deal with the video game company Capcom to develop a feature film based on the "Dark Void" computer game. ....more

US health care reform faces biggest test yet in Senate Nov 21, 2009, 0:34 GMT Washington - Another month, another milestone: US President Barack Obama's long struggle to enact far-reaching health reforms faces another hurdle Saturday in the US Senate. ....more

US welcomes Micheletti's temporary step-down in Honduras (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 23:16 GMT Washington/Tegucigalpa - The United States Friday welcomed the intention by disputed Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti to temporarily step aside during elections, saying it created some 'breathing space' for resolution of the five-month-old crisis. ....more

Lula asks Israel to stop expanding settlements Nov 20, 2009, 23:05 GMT Salvador, Brazil - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday called upon Israel to immediately stop expanding settlements on occupied Palestinian land in East Jerusalem, which he referred to as 'the Palestinian capital.' ....more

Nicolas Cage battles evil in 'Season of the Witch' trailer Nov 20, 2009, 22:13 GMT We have added the new action packed trailer for Lions Gate Films upcoming medieval horror adventure, 'Season of the Witch'. The film stars Nicolas Cage, Ron Pearlman, Claire Foy, Stephen Campbell Moore, Robert Sheehan and Christopher Lee. ....more

New featurette for Guy Ritchies 'Sherlock Holmes' online Nov 20, 2009, 21:37 GMT We have added a new video featurette for Warner Brothers Pictures upcoming envisaging of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's, 'Sherlock Holmes'. The Guy Ritchie directed film stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong. ....more

US stock drop slightly on Dell profits, mixed for week Nov 20, 2009, 21:11 GMT New York - Technology and energy shares pushed US stocks lower Friday, capping a mixed week for investors amid unease about the pace of the world's economic recovery. ....more

In Pictures: 'Erotica 2009 Opens in London' Nov 20, 2009, 20:37 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Erotica 2009 Opens in London". ....more

In Pictures: 'Britain Floods' Nov 20, 2009, 20:35 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Britain Floods". ....more

UN panel condemns Iran's crackdown on protesters Nov 20, 2009, 19:53 GMT New York - The UN General Assembly's human rights committee on Friday condemned Iran's violent crackdown on the crowd that protested alleged fraud during the June presidential elections. ....more

Fiat head: Plant closings are unavoidable Nov 20, 2009, 19:47 GMT Turin, Italy - Fiat head Sergio Marchionne Friday indicated that some domestic car plants would have to be closed because of plummeting auto sales. ....more

US: Micheletti's temporary step down could open "political space" Nov 20, 2009, 19:25 GMT Washington - The United States sees the decision by Honduras' disputed de-facto leader to step down during elections as a 'positive step,' a senior US State Department official said Friday. ....more

Grenade attacks shake central Mexico in the wake of arrest Nov 20, 2009, 18:55 GMT Mexico City - Successive grenade attacks on police facilities left one person injured and caused damage in central Mexico, in violence that offials said could be linked to the arrest of an alleged drug boss. ....more

World powers urge Iran to reconsider nuclear deal (2nd Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 18:31 GMT Berlin/Brussels - Top diplomats from the so-called '5+1' group of world powers expressed disappointment Friday at Iran's rejection of a compromise deal on the country's controversial nuclear programme and urged its leaders to reconsider. ....more

Metal prices from London Commodities Exchange Nov 20, 2009, 18:11 GMT    London - Final prices in dollars per ton - cash and forward. Also given are the previous trading day's quotations. ....more

Fire destroys 106 homes in poor neighbourhood in Guayaquil, Ecuador Nov 20, 2009, 18:10 GMT Quito - A serious fire on Friday destroyed 106 homes in a poor neighbourhood in Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador. ....more

Peruvian killers suspected of selling human fat for beauty products Nov 20, 2009, 18:00 GMT Lima - A Peruvian criminal gang is suspected of killing dozens of peasants in order to sell their tissue for use in beauty products, local media reported overnight. ....more

Media leaks complicating Lithuanian CIA prison probe, says official Nov 20, 2009, 18:00 GMT Vilnius - Admitting media leaks were complicating its efforts, a Lithuanian official heading a parliamentary probe into claims of secret prisons operated by the US intelligence agency CIA in Lithuania said Friday the report would still be released on time. ....more

UN welcomes new European Union leadership Nov 20, 2009, 17:55 GMT New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday welcomed the appointment of Belgium's Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy as first president of the European Union and Catherine Ashton as the EU's top diplomat. ....more

GM: Opel restructuring plan by mid-December; cuts up to 25 per cent Nov 20, 2009, 17:49 GMT Washington - US carmaker General Motors will present a new restructuring plan for its European operations by mid-December, Nick Reilly, the new head of GM Europe, wrote on his new blog Friday. ....more

Porsche board agrees to VW tie-up (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 17:43 GMT Berlin - Luxury German sports carmaker Porsche said Friday its board had agreed to the group's planned integration into Volkswagen AG, Europe's biggest auto manufacturer. ....more

London Stock Exchange quotations Nov 20, 2009, 17:35 GMT    London - Closing prices in pence on the London Stock Exchange. In brackets movement and percentage change against the previous quotation. ....more

NBC's National Dog Show barks in Turkey Day (Videos) Nov 20, 2009, 17:08 GMT More Turkey day programming to ring in the big bird bacchanalia as the NBC National Dog Show with John O'Hurley and co-host dog expert David Frei airs, and they dish the dogs on Thursday, November 26. ....more

Turkey day Twitter LIVE with Mythbusters' Kari Byron Nov 20, 2009, 16:52 GMT Turkey day is usually dominated by football and narcolepsy, but those who take the vegan route and hate football can sit fast at their laptops and exchange bon mots with Discovery Channel's awesome Mythbusters' gal, Kari Byron. ....more

Agassi drug confession ancient history for ATP Nov 20, 2009, 16:45 GMT London - Andre Agassi's crystal meth confession will not spark a probe into the 1997 case due to the fact the 39-year-old has retired from the game, ATP boss Adam Helfant said Friday. ....more

Oprahwatch: Matt Damon thought the end of the world was 2012, not 2011! Nov 20, 2009, 16:43 GMT Matt Damon was shocked SHOCKED that Oprah Winfrey is quitting her show in 2011. ....more

International stock market quotations Nov 20, 2009, 16:41 GMT    Frankfurt - The following index quotations were noted on the world's major stock markets: ....more

Frankfurt Stock Exchange quotations Nov 20, 2009, 16:39 GMT    Frankfurt - Frankfurt Stock Exchange closing prices in euros. In brackets the point movement of index/price movement of stocks against previous quotation: ....more

Jordanians demonstrate against Israeli measures in Jerusalem Nov 20, 2009, 16:31 GMT Amman - About 3,000 Jordanians demonstrated in Amman on Friday to protest what they called an Israeli conspiracy against al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem, which the Jewish state seized from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East war. ....more

Season's beatings continue from HBO Sports: Klitschko! Malignaggi! Diaz! Nov 20, 2009, 16:31 GMT Woohoo, a Friday HBO Boxing two-fer. ....more

Miley Cyrus tour bus in accident, driver dead Nov 20, 2009, 16:25 GMT New York - A Miley Cyrus tour bus flipped off a wet road in central Virginia Friday, leaving one person dead and others injured, state police told WTVR broadcaster in Richmond, Virginia. ....more

Nadal all but confirms his second-place status Nov 20, 2009, 16:21 GMT London - Rafael Nadal admitted Friday that any chances he would have to overhaul Switzerland's Roger Federer at the season- ending ATP World Tour Finals are all but non-existent. ....more

Paul Williams v Sergio Martinez on HBO on December 5 Nov 20, 2009, 16:21 GMT Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez go head to head on HBO on December 5. ....more

CAS rejects Pechstein appeal to race Nov 20, 2009, 16:07 GMT    Lausanne, Switzerland - Five-time Olympic speed skating champion Claudia Pechstein will not be able to race on Saturday in Hamar, Norway after an application was turned down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne on Friday. ....more

(eca 094): Match-rigging probe rocks German football (News Feature) Nov 20, 2009, 15:59 GMT    Hamburg - German football was shaken Friday by news that more than 30 matches in the country's leagues are under investigation on suspicion of being fixed by an international betting ring. ....more

200 matches suspected in European match-fixing probe (2nd Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 15:51 GMT    Bochum, Germany - At least 200 matches are being investigated by German prosecutors in a match-fixing probe covering nine European leagues, the prosecutors' office in Bochum said Friday. ....more

Lebanon's new cabinet to increase economic growth Nov 20, 2009, 15:47 GMT Beirut - Increasing economic prosperity in Lebanon will be at the top of the agenda of the country's new national unity govenment headed by Premier Saad Hariri, an economic advisor to the premier said Friday. ....more

Katey Sagal interview, clip from Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Nov 20, 2009, 15:39 GMT FX Network "Sons of Anarchy" star Katey Sagal, who portrays Gemma Teller Morrow on the best damned drama on TV was on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. ....more

Russia, Germany stress interest in strategic partnership (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 15:33 GMT    Moscow - Germany and Russia stressed their interest Friday in pursuing their strategic partnership in talks between Kremlin leaders and Berlin's new foreign minister, Guido Westerwelle. ....more

New EU foreign policy chief Ashton to assume office on December 1 Nov 20, 2009, 15:11 GMT Brussels - The European Union's new foreign policy supremo, Catherine Ashton of Britain, will assume office on December 1, earlier than had been anticipated, officials in Brussels said Friday. ....more

Chef Academy and The Real OC Housewives: Porn Stars and Cellulite Nov 20, 2009, 15:10 GMT Bravo Chef Academy student, Emmanuel Delcour, aka, Jean Valjean, is raising more than Cosette. ....more

Honduras' de facto leader plans to give up power temporarily Nov 20, 2009, 15:01 GMT Tegucigalpa, Honduras - De facto Honduran leader Roberto Micheletti is planning to give up power temporarily, from Wednesday to December 2. ....more

Taylor Lautner continues to steal Pattinson's thunder, on Jimmy Fallon (Videos) Nov 20, 2009, 14:57 GMT Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is a-twitter with Twilight. ....more

Sixteen deaths related to swine flu in France in one week Nov 20, 2009, 14:53 GMT Paris - The swine flu epidemic is growing more severe in France, as 16 people died in a one-week period because of the A(H1N1) virus, the government's Health Surveillance Institute (IVS) said Friday. ....more

World powers urge Iran to reconsider nuclear deal (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 14:51 GMT Berlin/Brussels - Top diplomats from the so-called '5+1' group of world powers expressed disappointment Friday at Iran's rejection of a compromise deal on the country's controversial nuclear programme and urged its leaders to reconsider. ....more

Match-rigging probe rocks German football (News Feature) Nov 20, 2009, 14:47 GMT Hamburg - German football was shaken Friday by news that more than 30 matches in the country's leagues are under investigation on suspicion of being fixed by an international betting ring. ....more

UEFA calls for harsh sanctions in match-fixing scandal Nov 20, 2009, 14:37 GMT Nyon, Switzerland - European football's governing body UEFA said Friday it would be seeking 'the harshest of sanctions' for players or clubs involved in the latest match-fixing revelations. ....more

Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 14:33 GMT Istanbul - The appointment of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Union was met with concern in Turkey because of the Belgian's previous comments against Ankara's joining the EU. ....more

South Korean star model may have killed herself Nov 20, 2009, 14:31 GMT Paris - South Korean model Daul Kim has been found dead in Paris, a spokesman for the South Korean Embassy in the French capital said Friday, confirming a story in the Korea Times. ....more

Second Taiwan baseball team sacks players over match fixing Nov 20, 2009, 14:25 GMT Taipei - Taiwan's La New Bears baseball team sacked five more players over alleged match fixing Friday, as the illegal betting scandal snowballs and implicates more players. ....more

Millions of children select Mandela, Machel for rights prize Nov 20, 2009, 14:03 GMT Stockholm - Former South African president Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel were Friday named winners of a children's rights prize in a vote involving over 7 million children worldwide. ....more

200 matches suspected in European match-fixing probe (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 13:29 GMT    Bochum, Germany - At least 200 matches are being investigated by German prosecutors in a match-fixing probe covering nine European leagues, the prosecutors' office in Bochum said Friday. ....more

Barcelona players Abidal and Toure hit by swine flu Nov 20, 2009, 12:49 GMT Madrid - Barcelona left-back Eric Abidal is suffering from swine flu and will be out of action for at least a week, the European champions said Friday. ....more

200 matches suspected in European match-fixing probe (1st Lead) Nov 20, 2009, 12:47 GMT    Bochum, Germany - At least 200 matches are being investigated by German prosecutors in a match-fixing probe covering nine European leagues, the prosecutors' office in Bochum said Friday. ....more

Lebanon hands over six alleged terrorists to Saudi Arabia Nov 20, 2009, 12:41 GMT Beirut - Six Saudis facing terrorism charges in Lebanon will briefly return to their home country at the request of the Saudi government, a Lebanese judicial source said Friday. ....more

Spain protests to Britain over incident off Gibraltar Nov 20, 2009, 12:39 GMT Madrid - Spain on Friday protested to London over an incident off the disputed British enclave of Gibraltar, where a British navy patrol vessel practiced shooting at a buoy painted with the colours of the Spanish flag. ....more

Putin: "I can always find a way to agree" with Tymoshenko (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 12:35 GMT Kiev - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave critical support Friday to hopes for stable natural gas deliveries to Europe and praised his Ukrainian counterpart Yulia Tymoshenko for her manner in negotiating the energy problems despite 'all the difficulties.' ....more

Croatian parliament ratifies border agreement with Slovenia Nov 20, 2009, 12:23 GMT Zagreb - Croatia's parliament Friday ratified an agreement that could lead to settling a border dispute with Slovenia. ....more

VW unveils 25.8-billion-euro investment plan Nov 20, 2009, 12:19 GMT Berlin - Europe's biggest carmaker Volkswagen AG on Friday unveiled a 25.8-billion-euro (38.2-billion-dollar) investment plan in the coming three years. ....more

Thirty five injured as football fans riot in Cairo (2nd Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 12:17 GMT Cairo - Roughly a thousand people rioted in the streets around the Algerian Embassy in Cairo in the early hours of Friday to vent their anger at attacks against Egyptian fans in Sudan the previous night. ....more

Jennifer Hudson "honoured" to play Winnie Mandela in biopic Nov 20, 2009, 12:15 GMT Johannesburg - Oscar-winning US actor Jennifer Hudson said she was honoured to be chosen to play Winnie Mandela in a film about the controversial ex-wife of South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela. ....more

LEADALL: World shrugs off top EU appointments Nov 20, 2009, 12:09 GMT    The world reacted with a shrug, ritualistic praise and a tinge of criticism Friday to the appointment of two relatively unknown figures to the European Union's top posts. ....more

Prosecutors: 200 matches affected in match-fixing probe Nov 20, 2009, 12:05 GMT    Bochum, Germany - Around 200 matches are being investigated by German prosecutors in a match-fixing probe covering nine European leagues, the prosecutors' office in Bochum said Friday. ....more

Sting must have the good stuff Nov 20, 2009, 12:01 GMT Sting sees ghosts. ....more

Mika dances around the gay question Nov 20, 2009, 12:01 GMT Mika claims to have "emotionally killed" someone. ....more

'Pretty' Prostitute garb for Miley Cyrus Nov 20, 2009, 12:01 GMT Miley Cyrus dressed as Julia Roberts for her 17th birthday party. ....more

Sadie Frost to cash in on Jude Law too Nov 20, 2009, 12:01 GMT Sadie Frost is to reveal "everything" about her relationship with Jude Law in an autobiography. ....more

Halle Berry proud of Rihanna Nov 20, 2009, 12:01 GMT Halle Berry is "proud" of Rihanna. ....more

Russia, Germany stress interest in strategic partnership Nov 20, 2009, 11:57 GMT Moscow - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov received his new German counterpart, Guido Westerwelle, for talks on Friday, with the two ministers stressing their countries' interest in building on their strategic partnership. ....more

New video featurette on the weaponary of James Cameron's 'Avatar' Nov 20, 2009, 11:57 GMT We have added a new video featurette on the hardware and weaponary of James Cameron's fantasy epic, 'Avatar'. The 20th Century Fox film stars Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana Michelle Rodriguez and Stephen Lang. ....more

US drone strike, Pakistani troops kill 21 militants districts (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 11:49 GMT Islamabad - A suspected US missile strike in Pakistan's north-western tribal region on Friday killed at least eight militants, while 13 more died in clashes with Pakistani troops, officials said. ....more

Prince Charles wants traditional school Nov 20, 2009, 11:31 GMT Britain's Prince Charles wants traditional lessons including history and geography to remain in primary schools. ....more

Duchess of York faces trial? Nov 20, 2009, 11:30 GMT Britain's Duchess of York could face trial in Turkey after she was served with legal papers by Scotland Yard police. ....more

Austrian investor buys Williams stake Nov 20, 2009, 11:29 GMT Vienna - Austrian investor Christian 'Toto' Wolff has joined Williams as a minority stakeholder, the British Formula One team announced Friday. ....more

Queen Elizabeth's Ely service Nov 20, 2009, 11:29 GMT Britain's Queen Elizabeth II attended a service marking the 900thanniversary of the Ely Diocese. ....more

Kate Middleton's premiere appearance Nov 20, 2009, 11:29 GMT Britain's Kate Middleton made a rare public appearance at a movie premiere last night (19.11.09). ....more

Duchess of Cornwall's bad day Nov 20, 2009, 11:28 GMT Britain's Duchess of Cornwall made a toddler cry during a meet-and-greet session yesterday (19.11.09). ....more

Arab stocks lacklustre ahead of Muslim festivities Nov 20, 2009, 11:15 GMT Amman - Most of Arab stock markets extended losses this week ahead of Eid al-Adha festivities due to start on November 27, financial analysts said Friday. ....more

New German foreign minister to travel to Israel Nov 20, 2009, 11:11 GMT Berlin - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle is to travel to the Middle East for talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials on November 23 and 24, a spokesman for the foreign ministry said Friday. ....more

In Pictures: ' 2nd Annual Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit' Nov 20, 2009, 10:59 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event " 2nd Annual Museum of Modern Art Film Benefit". ....more

Turks react with concern to EU presidency appointment Nov 20, 2009, 10:55 GMT Istanbul - The appointment of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as president of the European Union was met with concern in Turkey because of the Belgian's previous comments against Ankara's joining the EU. ....more

In Pictures: 'Julia Clancey's America's Next Top Model Finale Party' Nov 20, 2009, 10:51 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Julia Clancey's America's Next Top Model Finale Party". ....more

In Pictures: '12th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute at Uncommon Ground' Nov 20, 2009, 10:35 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "12th Annual Jeff Buckley Tribute at Uncommon Ground". ....more

Moscow hopes for stability from new EU leadership Nov 20, 2009, 10:29 GMT Moscow - Russia hopes that the newly designated EU leadership, Herman van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton, will provide continuity in EU-Russian relations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday. ....more

Turkish federation in dark over match-fixing probe Nov 20, 2009, 10:19 GMT    Bochum, Germany - The Turkish football federation said Friday it had no information over alleged match-fixing amid an investigation by German prosecutors. ....more

Putin praises Ukraine's Tymoshenko ahead of election (Extra) Nov 20, 2009, 10:17 GMT Kiev - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave veiled but unmistakable support to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in her bid to become Ukraine's next President, and slammed her incumbent opponent, according to news reports Friday. ....more

India's Suzlon sells stake in Belgian firm Hansen Nov 20, 2009, 10:15 GMT    New Delhi - Suzlon Energy, India's biggest wind-turbine maker Friday said it has sold a 35-per-cent stake in Belgian wind gearbox maker Hansen for 370 million dollars. ....more

International court appoints defence counsel for Karadzic Nov 20, 2009, 10:11 GMT The Hague - British-born lawyer Richard Harvey was appointed defence counsel for former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic in Karadzic's war crimes trial, an international court in The Hague announced on Friday. ....more

In Pictures: 'Sharon Stone Promo in Japan' Nov 20, 2009, 10:09 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Sharon Stone Promo in Japan". ....more

In Pictures: 'GQ Magazine Man of the Year' Party' Nov 20, 2009, 10:00 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "GQ Magazine Man of the Year' Party". ....more

Merkel has "full trust" in new EU leaders (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 9:57 GMT Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the appointment of the EU's two new top officials on Friday, saying she had 'full trust' in EU President Herman Van Rompuy and foreign policy High Representative Catherine Ashton. ....more

In Pictures: 'US Weekly Fall Hot Hollywood Party' Nov 20, 2009, 9:56 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "US Weekly Fall Hot Hollywood Party". ....more

FIFA rules no replay of France-Ireland qualifier Nov 20, 2009, 9:51 GMT Zurich - FIFA Friday rejected an Irish appeal to replay the France-Ireland World Cup qualifier which was decided following an illegal hand ball by Thierry Henry. ....more

In Pictures: 'Ninja Assassin Los Angeles Premiere' Nov 20, 2009, 9:49 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "Ninja Assassin Los Angeles Premiere". ....more

JLS bag fan Nov 20, 2009, 9:43 GMT A fan of British boy band JLS hid in the star's luggage in an attempt to meet the group. ....more

Lily Allen gets on board with pirates Nov 20, 2009, 9:43 GMT Lily Allen has made a U-turn in her stance on music piracy. ....more

Bedouins protest in Sinai, alleging police killed man Nov 20, 2009, 9:41 GMT Cairo - Bedouins in the Sinai desert blocked major trade routes Friday, alleging Egyptian police killed a man and injured others in the early morning, witnesses said. ....more

Miley Cyrus anxious with co-star Nov 20, 2009, 9:39 GMT Miley Cyrus felt "anxious and insecure" working with Liam Hemsworth. ....more

Best of British: Hot Scot Gerard Butler Nov 20, 2009, 9:39 GMT Gerard Butler has best named the best British actor in Hollywood. ....more

ElBaradei: Iran has not totally rejected nuclear fuel plan Nov 20, 2009, 9:37 GMT Berlin - International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chief Mohamed ElBaradei said Friday that he believes that Iran has not totally rejected his agency's nuclear fuel plan, but that time was running out. ....more

Zac Efron's island-hopping fans Nov 20, 2009, 9:36 GMT Zac Efron's fans are so obsessed with him they even travelled to an island to see him. ....more

Penelope Cruz's tot admirer Nov 20, 2009, 9:31 GMT Kate Hudson's son has a crush on Penelope Cruz. ....more

James Caan-s marriage Nov 20, 2009, 9:30 GMT James Caan has filed for divorce from his wife of 14 years. ....more

James Van Der Beek files for divorce Nov 20, 2009, 9:29 GMT James Van Der Beek has filed for divorce. ....more

In Pictures: '2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show' Nov 20, 2009, 9:28 GMT We have added a new set of pictures from the event "2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show". ....more

Replay France-Ireland match, says French finance minister (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 9:27 GMT Paris - French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Friday that the second France-Ireland World Cup playoff match, which was decided by an illegal hand ball, should be replayed. ....more

Hugh Grant wants kids Nov 20, 2009, 9:22 GMT Hugh Grant is ready to have children. ....more

Rihanna looking for big love Nov 20, 2009, 9:22 GMT Rihanna wants a man with a big penis. ....more

Report: Transsexual linked to Italian politics scandal found dead Nov 20, 2009, 9:21 GMT Rome - Firefighters in Rome on Friday found the charred remains of a Brazilian transsexual linked to a scandal which has embroiled a prominent Italian centre-left politician. ....more

Iberia cabin crew cancel strikes in Spain Nov 20, 2009, 9:13 GMT Madrid - Cabin crew of the Spanish airline Iberia have cancelled eight one-day work stoppages foreseen to start on November 30 and stretch into December, trade union sources said Friday. ....more

Russia's Putin: "I can always find a way to agree" with Tymoshenko Nov 20, 2009, 9:11 GMT Kiev - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave critical support to hopes for stable natural gas deliveries to Europe, saying he found working with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko on energy 'comfortable,' according to Friday news reports. ....more

Ashton nomination draws praise, scorn in Britain Nov 20, 2009, 9:07 GMT London - The announcement Thursday night of Briton Catherine Ashton as the first-ever European Union 'foreign minister' drew mixed reactions from politicians and media outlets Friday. ....more

Replay the France-Ireland match, says French finance minister Nov 20, 2009, 9:07 GMT Paris - French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde said Friday that the second France-Ireland World Cup playoff match, which was decided by an illegal hand ball, should be replayed. ....more

Witchcraft murderers leave East African albinos living in fear Nov 20, 2009, 9:02 GMT Nairobi - Dozens of witchcraft-related murders of albinos in Tanzania and Burundi have left the albino populations of both nations living in fear, a report released Thursday said. ....more

Computer glitch causes delays at major US airports Nov 20, 2009, 9:02 GMT Washington - A computer glitch Thursday morning forced flight cancellations and some major delays at airports along the eastern US coast. ....more

Suicide bombing, roadside blasts kill 16 people in Afghanistan Nov 20, 2009, 9:01 GMT    Kabul - A suicide attack in western Afghanistan killed 10 civilians and three policemen on Friday, while three other civilians were killed in a roadside blast in the country's eastern region, officials said. ....more

Asia's airlines see signs of recovery, expect heavy losses Nov 20, 2009, 8:51 GMT    Singapore - Asia's airlines saw some signs of recovery after passenger demand slumped during the global recession, the head of a regional industry body said Friday, but the business environment continued to be challenging. ....more

Pentagon launches review in wake of Fort Hood rampage Nov 20, 2009, 8:48 GMT Washington - The Pentagon plans a department-wide review to identify security gaps in the wake of the deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday. ....more

Oprah to declare 2011 end to landmark talk show Nov 20, 2009, 8:48 GMT    Washington - Talk-show mogul Oprah Winfrey is due to announce Friday that she will end her long-running syndicated daytime show in 2011, her production company said. ....more

Russian Orthodox priest gunned down in own church Nov 20, 2009, 8:33 GMT Moscow - A prominent priest in the Russian Orthodox church has been shot dead in his own Moscow church, reported the Interfax news agency on Friday. ....more

China considers combat troops for UN peacekeeping, official says Nov 20, 2009, 8:21 GMT    Beijing - China is considering the deployment of its first combat troops as part of a growing role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, a UN official said on Friday. ....more

Gasol shines in season-debut, Lakers run past Bulls (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 8:03 GMT Los Angeles - The Los Angeles Lakers' championship defence can move forward in full force now that Spanish star Pau Gasol is back. ....more

Survey: Taiwanese trust Obama more than their own president Nov 20, 2009, 7:59 GMT    Taipei - A majority of Taiwan residents have more trust in US President Barack Obama than in their own president or Chinese President Hu Jintao, an opinion poll showed on Friday. ....more

Five killed in shooting on Pacific island of Saipan Nov 20, 2009, 7:53 GMT    Seoul - A man on the Pacific island of Saipan on Friday shot dead four people before killing himself, the Saipan Tribune newspaper reported. ....more

ANALYSIS: Indonesians fret as president waffles over graft scandal Nov 20, 2009, 7:35 GMT    Jakarta - Public disillusionment is growing with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over his perceived indecisiveness in handling an alleged graft scandal that has implicated senior officials. ....more

Germany welcomes new EU pair as "competent personalities" Nov 20, 2009, 7:21 GMT Moscow - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle welcomed the appointment of the EU's two new top officials on Friday, saying new EU President Herman Van Rompuy and foreign policy High Representative Catherine Ashton were two 'competent personalities.' ....more

Heavy rainfalls mean flooding in northern Britain - officer missing Nov 20, 2009, 7:13 GMT London - Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in Scotland and northern Britain and one police officer is missing following severe flooding after torrential rain, the Environment Agency said Friday. ....more

Suspected US drone attack in Pakistan kills eight (1st Lead) Nov 20, 2009, 7:03 GMT    Islamabad - A suspected US missile strike in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal district on Friday killed at least eight people, officials said. ....more

Police hunt down British suspect in killing of Arroyo aide's son Nov 20, 2009, 6:51 GMT    Manila - Philippine police Friday launched a manhunt for a British man suspected of killing the son of a senior aide of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a traffic altercation. ....more

Japan falls back into deflation (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 6:43 GMT    Tokyo - Japan is back in a period of falling prices for the first time in three and a half years, the government said on Friday, while its central bank left a key interest rate unchanged and upgraded its economic outlook. ....more

Thai exports fall 3 per cent in October, lowest this year Nov 20, 2009, 6:33 GMT    Bangkok - Thailand's exports hit 14.8 billion dollars in October, a decline of 3 per cent year-on-year, marking the lowest fall in 2009, the commerce ministry said Friday. ....more

Second twin stirs after successful separation in Australia Nov 20, 2009, 6:03 GMT    Sydney - The second of the Bangladeshi conjoined twins that Australian surgeons separated this week is being brought out of an induced coma. ....more

23 per cent of Taiwan city kids have considered suicide Nov 20, 2009, 5:57 GMT    Taipei - Twenty-three per cent of Taiwan's city children have considered suicide due to school pressure and family problems, a survey showed. ....more

Nikkei down on Wall Street losses (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 5:43 GMT    Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei index lost ground Friday following losses on Wall Street, logging its first four-week losing streak in more than one year. ....more

Miguel Ferrer interview, 'Wrong Turn at Tahoe' on DVD Nov 20, 2009, 5:42 GMT For me, there’s a short list of actors who can do no wrong, I am there watching whatever they put out. ....more

Maoist attack derails train in eastern India, one dead Nov 20, 2009, 5:35 GMT    New Delhi - Maoist rebels blew up a railway track which led to the derailment of a passenger train, claiming one life and leaving over 40 people injured in India's eastern state of Jharkhand, officials said Friday. ....more

Kung Fu grandmaster jailed for kicking mistress Nov 20, 2009, 5:25 GMT    Hong Kong - A Kung Fu grandmaster, who trained under the same teacher as martial arts star Bruce Lee, has been jailed in Hong Kong for assaulting his mistress, a court report said Friday. ....more

Roadside bomb kills three policemen in Pakistan Nov 20, 2009, 5:09 GMT    Islamabad - A roadside bomb early on Friday killed three police officers and wounded six more in Pakistan's troubled north-western city of Peshawar, police said. ....more

Eva Longoria's Desperate sex life Nov 20, 2009, 5:02 GMT 'Desperate Housewives' is affecting Eva Longoria Parker's sex life. ....more

Rachel Hunter's racy new man Nov 20, 2009, 5:02 GMT Rachel Hunter is reportedly dating Eddie Irvine. ....more

'Good diva' Leona Lewis Nov 20, 2009, 5:02 GMT Leona Lewis says she is a "good diva". ....more

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz in theater production of Chicago Nov 20, 2009, 5:01 GMT Ashlee Simpson-Wentz is to star in the Broadway production of 'Chicago'. ....more

Rachel McAdams Sherlock Holmes' squeeze Nov 20, 2009, 5:01 GMT Rachel McAdams needed to do lots of yoga to fit into her 'Sherlock Holmes' outfit. ....more

Bank of Japan keeps key interest rate steady at 0.1 per cent Nov 20, 2009, 4:52 GMT    Tokyo - Japan's central bank on Friday decided, as was widely expected, to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 0.1 per cent. ....more

Dogs find endangered rhino's dung in Vietnam Nov 20, 2009, 4:04 GMT    Hanoi - Biologists working with trained dogs have confirmed that critically endangered Javan rhinos remain alive in the Vietnamese jungle, a conservation organization said Friday. ....more

Thai factory worker kills Cambodian colleague with an axe Nov 20, 2009, 3:42 GMT    Bangkok - A Thai labourer allegedly killed a Cambodian co-worker with an axe early Friday after a heated and inebriated argument over the two countries' deteriorating diplomatic relations, police said. ....more

Defense Secretary Gates: US withdrawal still on schedule Nov 20, 2009, 3:40 GMT    Washington - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday in Washington that US plans to reduce and eventually withdraw troops from Iraq have not been changed amid uncertainty whether planned January 18 elections will be held as scheduled. ....more

Malaysian police detain six Vietnamese women in vice raid Nov 20, 2009, 3:36 GMT    Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police have detained six Vietnamese women believed to have been working as prostitutes since entering the country on tourist visas, reports said Friday. ....more

Philippine troops kill wanted Muslim militant Nov 20, 2009, 3:36 GMT    Manila - Government troops killed a Muslim militant wanted for kidnappings and bombings in the southern Philippines, a military commander said Friday. ....more

Japan falls back into deflation Nov 20, 2009, 3:18 GMT    Tokyo - Japan is back in a period of falling prices for the first time in three and a half years, the government said on Friday. ....more

Hong Kong teacher accused of sex with 13-year-old pupil Nov 20, 2009, 3:06 GMT    Hong Kong- A Hong Kong teacher has been charged with having sex with a primary school pupil and keeping pictures of the encounters on his computer, a court report said Friday. ....more

Malaysian loses nipples in botched sex change Nov 20, 2009, 3:00 GMT    Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian woman, in a bid to become a man by removing her breasts, lost both her nipples after botched sex-change surgery, reports said Friday. ....more

Angry football fans riot in Cairo (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 2:28 GMT    Cairo - Roughly a thousand people rioted in the streets around the Algerian Embassy in Cairo in the early hours of Friday to vent their anger at attacks against Egyptian fans in Sudan the previous night. ....more

Angry football fans riot in Cairo (Roundup) Nov 20, 2009, 2:22 GMT ' ....more

De facto president Micheletti to step aside during Honduran vote Nov 20, 2009, 2:00 GMT Tegucigalpa - De facto president Roberto Micheletti said Thursday that he will step aside as head of the interim government during Honduras' upcoming elections. ....more

Lee Daniels to go to ‘Selma’ Nov 20, 2009, 1:59 GMT Director Lee Daniels is in talks to direct "Selma," which will focus on the historic 1965 march in the Alabama town that marked the peak of the civil rights movement. ....more

Justin Theroux goes to 'Space' Nov 20, 2009, 1:57 GMT Actor-turned-writer Justin Theroux will write a draft of "Space Invader," a romantic comedy for Fox. ....more

DiBonaventura has a 'Secret' Nov 20, 2009, 1:53 GMT Lorenzo di Bonaventura and his Di Bonaventura Pictures will produce Michael Scott’s six-part fantasy series “The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.” ....more

John Travolta and Robin Williams in new 'Old Dogs' clip Nov 20, 2009, 1:51 GMT We have added a new clip from Walt Disney Picture's upcoming comedy, 'Old Dogs'. The film stars John Travolta, Robin Williams, Bernie Mac, Matt Dillon and Kelly Preston. ....more

Eddie Murphy feeling 'Fluffy' Nov 20, 2009, 1:50 GMT Eddie Murphy is attached to produce and could star in “The Misadventures of Fluffy,” a new buddy comedy that Paramount is pushing through with. ....more

Japanese stocks down on Wall Street losses Nov 20, 2009, 1:32 GMT    Tokyo - Stocks in Tokyo lost ground in early Friday trading following losses on Wall Street. ....more

Discreetly, Saudis speculate about the throne succession (Feature) Nov 20, 2009, 1:08 GMT Jeddah - The palaces of Saudi Arabia's royal family lie concealed behind high walls. ....more

Man who killed wife for waking dog imprisoned for 14 years Nov 20, 2009, 0:42 GMT Sydney - An Australian who strangled his wife for waking up his dog and then went out for a drink at his local pub was sentenced to prison Friday by a Melbourne court. ....more

Angry football fans clash with police in Cairo (2nd Lead) Nov 20, 2009, 0:24 GMT Cairo - Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the Algerian embassy in Cairo just after midnight Friday, as football fans clashed with police and destroyed property. ....more

Truck crash kills 500 sheep in Australia Nov 20, 2009, 0:08 GMT Sydney - More than 500 sheep were killed when a truck carrying them to an abattoir overturned on a bend in Australia's south-east. ....more

Obama says election of EU president will strengthen partnership Nov 19, 2009, 23:56 GMT Washington - US President Barack Obama believes the pick on Thursday of Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy as the European Union's first full-time president could strengthen trans-Atlantic relations. ....more

"Thousands" besiege Algerian embassy in Cairo (1st Lead) Nov 19, 2009, 23:52 GMT Cairo - Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the Algerian embassy just after midnight Friday in Cairo, witnesses told the German Press Agency dpa. ....more

"Thousands" besiege Algerian Embassy in Cairo Nov 19, 2009, 23:24 GMT Cairo - Thousands of people gathered in the streets around the Algerian embassy just after midnight Friday in Cairo, witnesses told the German Press Agency dpa. ....more

Geithner forced to defend his own job before US lawmakers Nov 19, 2009, 22:36 GMT Washington - US Secretary Timothy Geithner fired back at his opponents during a testy congressional hearing Thursday, rejecting calls for his resignation and defending the administration's economic policies. ....more

Report: Big rise in fraud by New Zealand managers Nov 19, 2009, 22:08 GMT Wellington - Nearly two years of recession in New Zealand appear to have caused a big rise in theft and fraud by middle and senior managers employed by companies, according to a report released on Friday. ....more

US stock sell-off on fears of weak recovery Nov 19, 2009, 21:56 GMT New York - US stocks followed global markets in a broad decline amid investor fears over the world's uneasy recovery from recession. ....more

Police seize illicit medicines from web merchants (2nd Roundup) Nov 19, 2009, 21:52 GMT    Wiesbaden, Germany/Washington - Police in 24 nations raided illegal internet pharmacies this week, intercepted parcels at mail depots and seized stocks of illicit medicines, German police and US officials said Thursday. ....more

Six names that will make or break Van Rompuy (News Feature) Nov 19, 2009, 21:34 GMT Brussels - Herman Van Rompuy has won the race to become the first-ever president of the European Union. Now he has to succeed in the job. ....more

EU leaders pick political novices for top jobs (Roundup) Nov 19, 2009, 21:28 GMT    Brussels - European Union leaders Thursday picked two skilled mediators from Belgium and Britain with low profiles and relatively little experience to head the bloc's top posts. ....more

Spacewalkers work on International Space Station (Roundup) Nov 19, 2009, 20:36 GMT Cape Canaveral, Florida - Two US astronauts left the safety of the International Space Station Thursday to install spare parts that will help it continue running smoothly in the future. ....more

Get ready for Public Enemies with a copy of the DVD and bottle opener Nov 19, 2009, 20:20 GMT Award-winning director Michael Mann transports audiences back to the era of the 1930s American gangster in the critically acclaimed crime saga Public Enemies – hitting DVD on Dec. 8th from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. M&C’s giving away five copies of the DVD and five Public Enemies bottle openers! ....more

Pelosi: No quick end to US travel ban to Cuba Nov 19, 2009, 20:08 GMT Washington - Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the US House of Representatives, said Thursday she expected no quick action on ending the United States' decades-long travel ban with Cuba. ....more

Police seize illicit medicines from web merchants (Roundup) Nov 19, 2009, 20:02 GMT    Wiesbaden, Germany/Washington - Police in 24 nations raided illegal internet pharmacies this week, intercepted parcels at mail depots and seized stocks of illicit medicines, German police and US officials said Thursday. ....more

Police seize illicit medicines from web merchants in Interpol raids Nov 19, 2009, 19:54 GMT    Wiesbaden, Germany - Police in 24 nations raided illegal internet pharmacies this week, intercepted parcels at mail depots and seized stocks of illicit medicines, German police said Thursday. ....more

Airbus transport customers fail to agree on troubled order Nov 19, 2009, 19:18 GMT Berlin - The seven nations that ordered A400M military transport aircraft failed to reach any joint decision Thursday at talks in Berlin on the future of the Airbus plane, which has become a design nightmare. ....more

EU urges Afghan president to work for "rapid and tangible results" Nov 19, 2009, 19:14 GMT Stockholm - The European Union Thursday welcomed remarks by Afghan President Hamid Karzai in his inauguration speech to tackle corruption and combat drug trafficking and other problems. ....more

EU leaders pick Belgian premier as their president (5th Lead) Nov 19, 2009, 18:32 GMT    Brussels - European Union leaders agreed Thursday to appoint Herman Van Rompuy, a relatively inexperienced prime minister from Belgium, as their first-ever full-time president. ....more

Catherine Ashton chosen as EU foreign policy chief (Urgent) Nov 19, 2009, 18:24 GMT Brussels - European Union leaders agreed to appoint Catherine Ashton, the bloc's trade commissioner, as its first-ever foreign policy director on Thursday, officials in Brussels said. ....more

Barcelona's Ibrahimovic out of action for at least a week Nov 19, 2009, 18:24 GMT Madrid - Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be out of action for around a week, the European football champions announced on Thursday. ....more

Herman Van Rompuy chosen as EU president (Urgent) Nov 19, 2009, 18:10 GMT Brussels - European Union leaders agreed to appoint Herman Van Rompuy, prime minister of Belgium, as the bloc's first-ever full-time president on Thursday, diplomatic sources said. ....more

Israeli High Court rules that private prisons harm inmates' rights Nov 19, 2009, 18:06 GMT Jerusalem - In a ground-breaking decision, Israel's High Court ruled Thursday against the privatization of prisons, overturning a 2004 amendment to the law that allowed prisons to be privately-run and operated. ....more

German defence minister: Afghan government must do more Nov 19, 2009, 18:02 GMT Washington - Germany's new Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Thursday said the Afghanistan government must act, not just talk, about bringing order to the country. ....more

Metal prices from London Commodities Exchange Nov 19, 2009, 18:00 GMT    London - Final prices in dollars per ton - cash and forward. Also given are the previous trading day's quotations. ....more

EU close to consensus on top jobs (4th Lead) Nov 19, 2009, 17:48 GMT    Brussels - European Union leaders were close to a deal on the appointment of Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the bloc's first full-time president and Britain's Catherine Ashton as its new foreign policy chief, diplomats in Brussels said Thursday. ....more

PROFILE: "Haiku Herman" - Belgium's Zen prime minister Nov 19, 2009, 17:46 GMT     ....more

Simon Cowell and Sting? Not so much Nov 19, 2009, 17:45 GMT "X-Factor" judge Simon Cowell has snapped back in typical Simon-esque style over criticism on Cowell's British talent show, "The X Factor" after Sting said he wouldn't let his dog appear on that stage (kidding). ....more

London Stock Exchange quotations Nov 19, 2009, 17:42 GMT    London - Closing prices in pence on the London Stock Exchange. In brackets movement and percentage change against the previous quotation. ....more

PROFILE: Baroness Catherine Ashton: the EU's British face Nov 19, 2009, 17:40 GMT    London - Catherine Margaret Ashton, the 53-year-old British Labour politician sent to Brussels as trade commissioner a year ago, has long been a close ally of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. ....more

Consensus on EU top jobs near: diplomats (Urgent) Nov 19, 2009, 17:28 GMT Brussels - European Union leaders were close to a deal on appointing Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the bloc's first full-time president and Britain's Catherine Ashton as its new foreign policy chief, diplomats in Brussels said Thursday. ....more

UN congratulates Afghan leader's inauguration Nov 19, 2009, 17:20 GMT New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon sent Thursday congratulations to re-elected Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who pledged to fight corruption and improve governance and security at his inauguration for a second four-year term. ....more

UN: Trade sanctions bite North Korea, but arms embargo stings less Nov 19, 2009, 17:12 GMT New York - The UN Security Council's trade sanctions against North Korea inflicted a sharp drop in business, but the country appeared to have eluded the arms embargo because of its sophisticated international network, a sanctions panel said Thursday. ....more

Aaron Neville on “Wake Up With Al” Friday, Nov. 20 Nov 19, 2009, 17:05 GMT The Weather Channel's "Wake Up With Al" sees Al back in New York from his DC trip this week, on Friday, November 20. ....more