Gaza City - At least 22 Palestinians have been killed in heavy ground fighting and Israeli air attacks overnight and Tuesday morning, raising the total Palestinian death toll of Israel's Gaza offensive to 573 by late Tuesday morning, health officials said.

The injury toll stands at 2,600, Gaza emergency services chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters in Gaza.

Washington, January 6 : Barack Obama's Inaugural committee has reportedly asked musicians to perform at the Inaugural balls.

The first African-American to be elected President of the United States was said to have invited toy band Jonas Brothers and possibly `Hannah Montana' star Miley Cyrus to play at particular events around Washington on January 20th - the day when he begins his term of office.

The 10 official Inaugural balls would also see Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, and Bruce Springsteen, sources told FoxNews.

Alicia Keys was also reportedly scheduled to impress all with her vocal chords in a yet to be announced concert.

Manila - Communist rebels in the Philippines on Tuesday released an army lieutenant after two months in captivity, the military said.

Lieutenant Vicente Cammayo was turned over to a local official in Kausagan village in Loreto town in Agusan del Sur province, 900 kilometres south of Manila.

Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Torres said Cammayo was freed because of the efforts of local officials, his family and security forces in the area.

Cammayo was captured by communist rebels after a clash in nearby Compostela Valley province on November 7. Two soldiers were also killed in the fighting.

Washington, Jan 06 : Hollywood actress Kate Hudson has revealed that during her teenage years she loved boys.

"When I was a teenager, like, when I turned 16, I loved boys. That was just my thing," Us Weekly quoted Kate, as telling Elle magazine.

"My mom [Goldie Hawn] was like, ''Oh boy, she loves boys!" Kate added.

The stunner, who has dated many Hollywood celebrities, made it public that she was a serial dater and was never without a boyfriend until now.

New Delhi, Jan. 6 : Pakistan''s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) apparently has plans to destabilize India by influencing developmentsin the north and west of the country, particularly in Mumbai, as part of its multi-pronged strategy.

Terrorists arrested in Jammu have made these revelations.

According to an article published in the latest issue of the Power Politics magazine, the ISI has circulated two maps to the Pakistan Army to boost troop morale by giving them a target to destabilize India by 2020.

London, Jan. 6: UK fashion retailer Marks and Spencer will announce the sacking of 1,000 employees tomorrow after experiencing dire Christmas trading.

Several hundred more from the head office and support functions are also to be sacked.

Debenhams and Next are also expected today to unveil their worst Christmas performances in recent history.

The fashion chains Principles, Oasis, Karen Millen and Warehouse - all owned by Mosaic - have had an emergency restructuring team sent in from Deloitte.

According to The Times, these stores employ about 5,000 staff whose jobs will be at risk unless a new lender is found to refinance the business.