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Washington, June 18 : Scientists, using a new analytical method, have been able to demonstrate the presence of several artificial sweeteners in waste water in Germany.

The method, which simultaneously extracts and analyses seven commonly used artificial sweeteners, was developed by Marco Scheurer, Heinz-Jurgen Brauch and Frank Thomas Lange from the Water Technology Center in Karlsruhe, Germany.

A range of artificial sweeteners are commonly used in food and drinks, as well as drugs and sanitary products.

The potential health risks of artificial sweeteners have been debated for some time. Until now, only sucralose has been detected in aquatic environments.

London, June 18 : Brazil's playboy magazine is set to hit the market shelves with a photograph featuring President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

The 63-year-old appears fully clothed in a photograph reproduced alongside the magazine''s nude centrefold, a Rio de Janeiro dancer and model who looks as if she is about to plant a kiss on the head of state''s image.

And surprisingly the Brazilian premier isn't aware of his photo being used.

Washington, June 18 : A new study has suggested that banning or restricting the use of certain types of fishing gear could help the world's coral reefs and their fish populations survive the onslaughts of climate change.

The study was carried out by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and other groups.

Washington, June 18 : A team of scientists has developed a way to measure temperature changes in the tops of clouds to improve forecast times for rapidly growing storms, by predicting severe thunderstorms up to 45 minutes earlier than relying on traditional radar alone.

The method was developed by scientists from the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS), US.

"The value of detecting and analyzing these changes is that we can get up to a 45-minute jump on radar detection of the same storm system. A `nowcast' becomes a `forecast'," said CIMSS scientist Wayne Feltz.

Tokyo - Japanese electronics companies Toshiba Corp and NEC Electronics Corp agreed to join an IBM Corp alliance to expand development of next-generation chips, Toshiba said Thursday.

The project involves technologies for faster processing speed and lower-battery life for smartphones and other communication devices, the companies said.

New York, June 18 : After dropping Chris Brown, Rihanna is now dating hip-hop artist Drake, it has emerged.

Romance rumours were sparked when the couple went to the after-party for the movie "Year One" on the Empire Hotel roof, reports The New York Post.

"She and Drake were attached at the hip," said a source.

After that, the duo went to Greenhouse on Varick Street and sat in the VIP area.

"They are definitely together, but really trying to be discreet," the source added.