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London, June 18 : Researchers at the University of British Columbia have made a new development that has put them a step closer to creating and testing new treatments for gambling addictions.

They have developed the world''s first animal laboratory experiment to successfully model human gambling.

"For most individuals, gambling is enjoyable and harmless, but for others, it is as destructive as being addicted to drugs," said Catharine Winstanley, an assistant professor in UBC''s Dept. of Psychology.

Washington, June 18 : `Kill Bill' star David Carradine was murdered by gender-bender hookers, the actor's movie producer pal has claimed.

David Winters, who produced three of the actor''s less-known martial arts movies, insists that he was the victim of Bangkok''s Lady Boys, reports Contactmusic.

He tells America''s Globe, "David Carradine was murdered... I strongly believe Lady Boys are responsible. Lady Boys operate in pairs. David would not have stood a chance. They can be very brutal."

London, June 18 : Britain's anti-terrorism watchdog has claimed that a number of innocent people are often stopped and searched to to provide racial balance in police statistics.

In his annual report on the operation of counter-terrorism legislation, Lord Carlile of Berriew described the searches as "almost certainly" illegal.

He said that he knew of cases where people were stopped and searched by officers even though they did not fit any known terrorist profile.

London, June 18 : Pop princess Britney Spears has reportedly said "yes" to the marriage proposal of her agent-turned-lover Jason Trawick.

She is to wed for a third time, says British tabloid The Sun.

Meanwhile, the singer stunned diners when she called at McDonald''s for a late lunch.

She reportedly strolled into the food chain''s branch in Neasden, North West London.

Washington, June 18 : Actress Mia Farrow''s sculptor brother died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, a coroner said.

Farrow, 66, was discovered dead Monday at the Castleton, Vermont, home he shared with his artist wife Susan, reports People.

"These findings are consistent with evidence found during the investigation," Sgt. Tara Thomas, spokeswoman for the Vermont State Police, said.

"Mr. Farrow''s wife contacted 911 upon discovering her husband unresponsive in their home," Thomas added.

Johannesburg, June 18 : A substance from the root of a flower may help treat prostate cancer, according to Germany''s cancer-science council.

Experts at the University of Goettingen said that in laboratory tests, tectorigenin, obtained from roots of Belamcanda chinensis, stopped cancer cells growing and in animal tests it had slowed the spread of the cancer.

The lily-like flowers of Belamcanda chinensis are grown in temperate-region gardens as a perennial. In China, it grows wild.

The plant is used in Korean and Chinese medicine, reports 24. com.

Scientists Peter Burfeind and Paul Thelen will conduct further studies.