New York  - A commission to investigate the assassination of former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto is limited to just six months and cannot carry out criminal proceedings, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday in a letter to the UN Security Council.

"The duty of determining criminal responsibility of the perpetrators of the assassination would remain with the Pakistani authorities," the letter said.

New York  - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon decided Thursday to send an envoy to assess first-hand the "tense political situation" in the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

Haile Menkerios, a UN assistant secretary general for political affairs, will "assess the situation in the country and explore what the United Nations could do to help avert further violence and contribute to peace and stability in Madagascar."

Menkerios will visit the country from Saturday to Wednesday for meetings with government officials, the UN said. Menkerios was sent to Zimbabwe last year to help resolve the political crisis.

New York  - Burger King, the world's second-largest fast food chain, on Thursday posted lower-than-expected quarterly results because of currency fluctuations and the resurgent dollar.

The Miami-based Burger King said its net income for the second quarter of its 2009 fiscal fell to 44 million dollars from 49 million dollars a year ago.

"The complexity and rapidity in currency fluctuations during our second fiscal quarter, created by uncertainties in the currency markets, was difficult to forecast and anticipate," CEO John Chidsey said in a statement.

New York, Feb 5 : Kids as young as three could soon be able to send text messages just like their parents - all thanks to LeapFrog.

The company has launched a new pint-sized personal digital assistant meat for toddlers.

Unveiled at a toy fair in England, the Text & Learn will land in the United States this summer - and perhaps prove as addictive as the real-life "crackberry" is to adults.

The colourful toy has come as a respite for parents who are constantly pulling their devices out of their kids'' hands - and mouths.

New York, Feb 05 : New York Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez is reportedly unhappy that his alleged lover Madonna is parading Brazilian model Jesus Luz around New York City.

The `Material Girl' hitmaker and Jesus were spotted at Marcelleria steakhouse in Manhattan, prompting speculation that they are item.

Rodriguez, Madonna''s supposed lover who sources say had a hand in her divorce from director Guy Ritchie, is said to be embarrassed by the singer's new conquest.

New York, Feb 5 : American actress Jessica Alba recently displayed her pink bow "tramp stamp".