New York  - Ford Motor Company and union leaders reached an agreement Monday designed to lower health care costs in the ailing US car industry.

The deal would allow the carmaker to make contributions to the United Auto Workers (UAW) health care plan for retirees with up to 50 per cent stock instead of cash, a move the manufacturer said would help it meet its obligations. Ford owes 13.6 billion dollars to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, as the health care trust is known.

Buffalo (New York, US), Feb. 23 : Aasiya Hassan endured years of violence and controlling behavior from her husband while keeping up the facade of a stable marriage

According to the Boston Globe, in the public eye, they were a dynamic couple, building their dream of a Muslim-lifestyle TV channel in the United States.

But police reports compiled for much of their marriage tell another story: Their home life was a nightmare. Her ambitious but troubled husband repeatedly subjected Aasiya to controlling and sometimes violent acts.

To protect herself, she went to the police in two states. Yet for years, she stopped short of pressing charges - thus preserving Muzzammil's reputation and the venture they built together.

New York, February 21 : A list of best winners in the "Best Song" category at the Academy Awards over the years has been compiled by a leading newspaper.

According to The New York Daily News, the best all-time Oscar winners in the selected category have been:

1) 1936 "The Way You Look Tonight" from "Swing Time"

2) 1939 "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from "The Wizard of Oz"

3) 1942 "White Christmas" from "Holiday Inn"

4) 1943 "You''ll Never Know" from "Hello, Frisco, Hello"

New York, Feb 21: Designer Richie Rich, for whom Hollywood actress Pamela Anderson walked the ramp at the New York Fashion week, has stated that she exemplifies Marilyn Monroe terrifically.

The `Barb Wire' actress, who strutted her newly enhanced chest in a gold halterneck bodysuit for Richie's first fashion show as a solo designer, left the audience asking for more, as she flaunted the designer's `Blondes Have More Fun' collection.

"She totally embodies the Marilyn Monroe of our times," the New York Daily News quoted Richie as saying.

"She is such a sex symbol, and she's so funny," he added.

Pamela was also full of admiration for Richie, who calls her his "muse".

New York, Feb. 21: Filmmaker Spike Lee called on celebrities to join a boycott of the New York Post Friday during a raucous protest of a racially charged cartoon.

Joined by his 11-year-old son, Lee told a crowd of about 300 people that he has bought the tabloid in the past - but no more.

According to the New York Daily News, he suggested athletes and entertainers shun the paper''s writers because of Wednesday''s cartoon, which compared President Obama with a crazed chimp by some interpretations.

New York, Feb 21 : During his first days in office, US President Barack Obama insisted on keeping his BlackBerry. But if you think that his firmness has anything to do with keeping in touch with pals or work on fly, you're absolutely wrong.

Apparently, the American leader is addicted to mobile game BrickBreaker.

"He plays to unwind," The New York Daily News quoted a source, as saying.

"Every night before bed, he gives it a few minutes," the source added.