Brussels - The European Union's executive was Wednesday set to unveil an economic recovery plan designed to help the 27-member bloc weather the recession.

Officials have said the plan could be worth up to 130 billion euros (170 billion dollars) - or about 1 per cent of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) - in aid to poor households, as well as investments in infrastructure and in key sectors such as cars, construction and green technologies.

London, Nov 26 : Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney has revealed that he is happy with people downloading music illegally, though it’s a weird concept for him.

The revelation came as the Beatles’ deal with music giant iTunes fell through, when it was abandoned after Apple Corps bosses and EMI executives failed to agree on terms.

“It’s weird for me (the concept of downloading). I''m not from that. I''m from going into a shop and buying a 45,” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

Washington, Nov 26 : Pop princess Britney Spears has revealed that her sons Sean Preston, 3, and Jayden James, 2, have started to pick up swear words.

Spears, 26, who is very proud of her sons, says that she never uses swear words in front of her kids.

“They''re staring to learn words like ‘stupid,’ and Preston says the F-word now sometimes,” Us magazine quoted her as telling Rolling Stone journal.

“He doesn''t get it from us.

“He must get it from his daddy [Kevin Federline]. I say it, but not around my kids,” she stated.

Ipoh (Malaysia), Nov. 26 : The National Fatwa Council may have declared yoga ‘haram’ for having the potential to undermine the faith of Muslims as it could be traced back to Hinduism, but according to a senior government official, it is up to the rulers of the respective states in the country to accept the council''s decision.

Sydney - Sydney film director Baz Luhrmann must have been smarting Wednesday after newspapers in the United States gave generally unfavourable reviews of the romantic melodrama Australia.

But locals rallied round, queuing for tickets and sticking up for a film that showcases local talent and which set a national record with its 150-million-US-dollar budget.

"We thought we'd see it on the first day because it's Australia, about Australia," said Sydney resident Stan Plantzos. "And Nicole Kidman, we love her."

A sentiment not shared by London Times critic Melanie Reid, who charged Luhrmann with a "fatal error" in casting Kidman opposite Hugh Jackman.

Islamabad - Britain's foreign secretary said on Wednesday Pakistan is emerging as "cooperative force" in South Asia through its efforts to improve relations with neighbours.

"The foreign policy dialogue that is being pursued with Afghanistan, with India" is turning Pakistan outwards and making clear that the country is emerging as a cooperative force for stability in the region," David Miliband said after meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mamhood Qureshi.