Maldives welcomes Commonwealth ‘coup’ probe

New Maldives President Mohamed Waheed Monday welcomed a Commonwealth mission to investigate the ousting of his predecessor after overnight clashes during protests in the restive capital Male.

Full Story

Syria resumes shelling after rejecting peace force

Regime forces resumed their assault on the Syrian protest city of Homs yesterday, activists said, after Damascus rejected an Arab plan to send a peacekeeping force to the unrest-hit country. Shortly before sunrise, the army launched mortars into Baba Amr, a rebel stronghold in the central city, as forces swept through southern Daraa province arresting dissidents, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Full Story

Adele triumphs at Grammy's, clouded by Houston death

British soul diva Adele made a triumphant return to the stage at the Grammy's Sunday, winning a clean sweep of six awards and a standing ovation, in a show clouded by the death of Whitney Houston.

Full Story

Aussie women reject ‘I love u’ texts

They prefer face-to-face declaration of affection:

Australian women may have embraced the digital era, but they prefer a face-to-face declaration of affection to an “I love u” text and find men addicted to their mobile phones a major turnoff. That’s according to a study carried out by romance publisher Mills & Boon, timed to coincide with Valentines Day on Tuesday.

Full Story