NEW YORK, Dec. 1  -- Human rights activists called on Kazakhstan to clean up its political system before it begins its term as head of a European security alliance.

Human Rights Watch said in a report released Monday that the Kazakh government had failed to follow through on its pledges to reform elections laws before becoming the 2010 leader of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

"Before it becomes chair of the OSCE in 2010, it should show its people and the world it is serious about reform," Rachel Denber, director of Europe and Central Asia for Human Rights Watch said in a written statement.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30  -- New York Giants star Plaxico Burress, who apparently shot himself in the leg, will surrender to police Monday, The (Newark, N. J.) Star-Ledger reported.

Burress was hospitalized after the apparent accidental weekend shooting at a New York nightclub. He will report to the New York Police Department's 17th precinct, the newspaper said. No warrant had been issued for his arrest, The Star-Ledger said Sunday.

Police sources said Burress might face felony weapons charges, the New York Daily News reported.

An attorney representing the NFL receiver was trying to avoid charges being brought against his client, police sources said.

NEW YORK, Nov. 30  -- Statistics show the 2008 Christmas shopping season got off to a flying start in the United States with spending reaching an estimated $41 billion.

The National Retail Federation said Sunday that the number of shoppers who hit the stores on the day after Thanksgiving was up as was the amount spent on a per-shopper basis.

"Pent-up demand on electronics and clothing, plus unparalleled bargains on this season's hottest items helped drive shopping all weekend," NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin said in a written statement. "Holiday sales are not expected to continue at this brisk pace, but it is encouraging that Americans seem excited to go shopping again."

New York, Nov. 28: New York City police have stepped up patrols in the city''s subways and trains after the federal government warned of a potential Al Qaeda attack during the holidays.

The potential threat — described in an internal FBI memo as "plausible but unsubstantiated" — does not extend beyond the New York City area, sources told FOX News.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne was quoted by Fox News as saying that the police have received the report and have "deployed additional resources in the mass transit system."

A person briefed on the matter, said the threat might also be directed at the passenger rail lines running through New York, such as Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road.

NEW YORK, Nov. 27  -- The executive editor of D. C. Comics says the Caped Crusader is not dead, despite the title of its latest issue, "Batman, R. I. P.: Conclusion."

"He's not dead, though he'll definitely be gone for a while," Dan DiDio told the New York Daily News. "Batman and (alter ego) Bruce Wayne have been here long before me and they'll be around long after me."

The Daily News pointed out this is not the first time a superhero has appeared to meet his end. D. C. Comics killed off Superman in 1992, but later brought him back. Marvel Comics whacked Captain America, who has yet to make a comeback.

New York, Nov 27 : A new keyboard called ‘Keyboard for Blondes’ has been developed with keys that have ‘Smart Blonde Button’ and ‘Somewhat Useless Key’, written on them.

The keyboard, which comes in a bubblegum-pink colour and is priced at 50 dollars, can even talk back and has funny titles for boring keystrokes like, “I need my space” bar.

The best features, however, are the keys dedicated to 100-times-a-day texts like “OMG,” “LOL” or “ZZZD,” which is girl-speak for boring date.

“It’s pink? That''s great,” the New York Daily News quoted blonde Samantha Dubin, 34, as saying wryly.