Briefly world

Apple will give free protective cases to buyers of its latest iPhone to alleviate the so-called death grip problem in which holding the phone with a bare hand can muffle the wireless signal....

Apple: Free cases to alleviate iPhone 4 signal problems

CUPERTINO: Apple will give free protective cases to buyers of its latest iPhone to alleviate the so-called death grip problem in which holding the phone with a bare hand can muffle the wireless signal. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the giveaway on Friday at a news conference at the companys headquarters,even as the company denied that the iPhone 4 has an antenna problem that needs fixing. This has been blown so out of proportion, he said.

Obama reacts cautiously to BP test results

NEW ORLEANS: BP said on Friday the early test results on its recently capped undersea well were heartening and there were no signs of fresh oil leaks. As President Obama hailed the development,he cautioned it was still possible for complications even more catastrophic than the original leak.

Madhesi parties agree on power-sharing deal

Kathmandu: Nepals Madhesi parties on Friday decided to come together to seek a better deal amid the deadlock over power sharing in a new government. Madhesi Janadhikar Forum MJF,Madhesi Janadhikar Forum-Loktantrik MJFL,Terai Madhes Loktantrik Party TMLP and Sadbhawana Party SP agreed to reactivate their earlier alliance and form a common position during the new government formation.

George Clooney appears in Milan court for fraud case trial

MILAN: Its no wonder the Italian businessmen claimed George Clooney was behind their fashion line the actor knows how to wow an audience whether hes on the red carpet or the witness stand. Maintaining his trademark aura of cool,Clooney delivered a few wisecracks on Friday as he testified against three defendants accused of co-opting his name with the goal of launching a fashion line. Clooney had to push his way through a wall of cameras into the courtroom,saying scusa,scusa,and warning Dont crush my lawyers. Throngs of fans packed the tiny courtroom. The judge repeatedly told spectators to be quiet and tossed out one woman who snapped a photo of Clooney.

Cave of marsupial fossils discovered in Australia

SYDNEY: Scientists have discovered a cave filled with 15-million-year-old fossils of prehistoric marsupials in the Outback,a rare find that has revealed some surprising similarities between the creatures and modern-day kangaroos and koalas. Researchers have unearthed a treasure trove of beautifully preserved fossils from the cave,including 26 skulls from an extinct,wombat-like marsupial called Nimbadon lavarackorum,an odd sheep-sized creature with giant claws. The findings were described this week in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. Its extraordinarily exciting for us, said University of New South Wales paleontologist Mike Archer,co-author of the article.