♦ Man, 18, faces park rape charges

The 18-year-old was raped in Botanic Gardens early on Sunday, 27 April. She had been walking through the park when she was attacked. Police investigating the rape searched the park and appealed for anyone who may have seen something suspicious to contact them.	1 vote

♦ Wonderful Life child actor dies

Bob Anderson, who played the young George Bailey in classic Christmas film It's A Wonderful Life, has died at the age of 75. Anderson was 12 when director Frank Capra cast him as Jimmy Stewart's youthful counterpart in the 1946 film. He was seen during flashbacks to the adult character's childhood. He stopped acting in the 1950s and moved behind the camera...	1 vote

♦ One To Watch: Elizabeth Banks

At the age of thirty four Elizabeth banks' star is only just beginning to rise after a string of successful supporting roles. But her defining role may come in W, Oliver Stone's picture based on the life and presidency of George W. Bush, as First Lady Laura Bush alongside Josh Brolin.	1 vote

♦ Ashlee Simpson updates her last name

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ashlee Simpson is so over. The newlywed pop singer will go by Ashlee Wentz in private, and be professionally known as Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, according to a report posted Wednesday on People.com. The heretofore Simpson was married on May 17 to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz.	1 vote

♦ Apple to launch biggest back-to-school promo. Ever

Yes, "ever" is in quotes, because AppleInsider's sources say that Apple's senior vice president Ron Johnson stated just that while speaking to retail staff a few weeks ago. The deal could arrive as soon as Monday, which we think is a tad early to kick off back-to-school promos (but we won't complain). There's no word on what, exactly, Apple has up its sleeve for the kids this year...	1 vote

♦ Climate Report Adds More Gloomy Scenarios

A landscape plagued with dust storms and drought, rangeland that won't support cattle, streams too hot for trout, forests felled by beetles and fire -it's all part of the scenario painted in a new report on climate change by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.	1 vote

♦ Woman charged with boy's murder

A woman has been charged with murder after the body of a teenager was found in recycling waste. The body of 17-year-old Nathan Lyons, from Birmingham, was found in south-east London on 13 May. Amanda Alden, 29, who was arrested in the Redditch area on Friday, was charged with murder when she appeared at Redditch Magistrates' Court. A 34-year-old man, Scott Hancox, from Fownhope Close, Redditch...	1 vote

♦ This week in game releases: May 19-25, 2008

This week may be a little light on releases, but it's a good time to get that non-gaming friend of yours to join your hobby. Nintendo has finally released Wii Fit in North America, the place where it's likely to be needed most. The title features a number of games and activities designed to help keep players healthy and active, including yoga, aerobics, strength training...	1 vote

♦ Even the Himalayas can't compare with the beauty of Lakeland

Visitors to Istanbul come to see East meet West, old meet new. It's a tourism imperative that has been successfully realised at the W Istanbul, which officially opened last week.	1 vote

♦ Sharapova wins to close on summit

Maria Sharapova moved a step closer to the number one ranking, but only after a less than convincing victory over Dominika Cibulkova at the Italian Open. The 21-year-old Russian won 6-2 3-6 6-4 to advance to the third round. With current world number one Justine Henin deciding to retire, Sharapova could move to top spot next week.	1 vote

♦ Bruce 'would not have kept us up'

Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan does not believe Steve Bruce would have saved the club from relegation. Manager Bruce left Birmingham for Wigan in November 2007 because of uncertainty over his future and led the fellow strugglers to 14th in the top flight. Blues went down under Alex McLeish but Sullivan told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Steve has done a wonderful job at Wigan.	1 vote

♦ George Clooney Devastated By Leatherheads Flop.

George Clooney Devastated By Leatherheads Flop.... George Clooney was hurt by the failure of his most recent movie Leatherheads but is determined to learn from the experience. A month after its release, the American football movie has grossed $36 million (Gbp18 million); $22 million (Gbp11 million) short of its $58 million (Gbp29 million) budget.	1 vote

♦ Murray to face Wawrinka in Rome

Andy Murray will take on Stanislas Wawrinka at the Rome Masters on Wednesday knowing Rafael Nadal is the likely opponent for the winner. The British number one, who came through a fractious encounter with Juan Martin del Potro on Monday, has beaten Wawrinka twice already this year. However, the Swiss favours clay, won their first two meetings, and is ranked just six places below Murray at 24.	1 vote

♦ Tiny Electronics: Contact Through Silver Particles In Ink

ScienceDaily (May 6, 2008) — Conductor paths in sensor systems have to be correctly ‘wired’. Now, instead of using obtrusive connecting wires, researchers print the conductor paths. The connections thus produced are thinner, and the sensor delivers more accurate measurements. Modern cars are full of sensors.	1 vote

♦ FIA to probe Mosley 'Nazi' claims

Motorsport's world governing body has appointed a barrister to conduct an independent inquiry into allegations about its president Max Mosley. Anthony Scrivener QC will look into newspaper claims that there were Nazi connotations to an orgy in which Mosley was involved with prostitutes. The 68-year-old has apologised for any embarrassment but denied there were any Nazi connotations to his actions.	1 vote

♦ Quick Test: 2008 Roush Stage 2 Mustang

Photography by Brian VanceJack Roush, a former Ford employee who left the automaker to start Roush Performance Engineering in 1976, has experienced victory in such series as Trans-Am, IMSA, and most notable, NASCAR. So in 1995 when he founded Roush Performance Products, a company that would sell crate engines and aftermarket parts for one of his favorite vehicles, the Mustang...	1 vote

♦ First Drive: 2006 Isuzu i-350

Claim Jumper: It's an Isuzu. Honest! Photography by Brian VanceDespite the two-year gap between the launch of the Colorado/ Canyon and the i-Series, the near-identical exteriors, and similar equipment, Isuzu swears the i-280 and i-350 are not products of badge engineering. The platform, shared with the Colorado, Canyon, and i, was initially developed by both companies.	1 vote

♦ The Big Picture: People, Politics, Process - So, how hard is it to make a car anyway?

Videomen Suggett and Gleason rig up a special-edition dolly for GT-R session while tech director Markus cools his heels inside the carA meeting was called, and maybe 20 people turned up. We had representatives from P.R. and marketing, as well as from engineering, design, and manufacturing. Plus, of course, there were the finance guys.	1 vote

♦ Hugh Jackman's Debt To Paparazzo.

Hugh Jackman's Debt To Paparazzo.... Aussie star Hugh Jackman had to thank a paparazzi photographer for helping him find his lost son on a California beach. The actor was relaxing in Malibu with kids Oscar, eight, Ava, two, when Oscar disappeared.	1 vote

♦ For chemists, it's a tale of beauty and the beaker

CINCINNATI — Jim Schwartz remembers feeling a little bewildered when he started his job developing beauty care products at Procter & Gamble Co. Two decades later, he explains: Researchers must decide the right mix of materials that go into a new beauty product; make sure it feels, smells...	1 vote