Washington, February 10 : Rice University researchers have announced the creation of hybrid nano-cables, which may improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Research leader Pulickel Ajayan has revealed that the idea is to grow nanotubes in such a manner that they look and act like the coaxial conducting lines used in cables.

The coax tubes consist of a manganese oxide shell and a highly conductive nanotube core.

"It''s a nice bit of nanoscale engineering," said Ajayan, Rice''s Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science.

Washington, Feb 10 : Even though American country pop singer Carrie Underwood has made a name for herself in the music world, she revealed that she was too scared to approach Prince.

London, Feb. 10 : Taking a cue from the US, the UK too has appointed a special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan in a bid to enhance its strategic ties with both the countries.

Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, who is UK's Ambassador to Afghanistan, will be working as British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's special representative. Coles will return to the Foreign Office next month.

Washington, Feb 10 : Hollywood actor Samuel L. Jackson has been roped in to narrate a documentary about famous African-Americans golfers.

The new film titled Uneven Fairways will premiere on America''s Golf Channel this week (11Feb09), reports Contactmusic.

The documentary is based on books Uneven Lies by Pete McDaniel and Forbidden Fairways by Calvin H. Sinnette, presenting an era when "honour and fair play took a backseat to segregation".

London, Feb 10 : English actress Denise Van Outen's new mansion is sa

London, Feb 10 : After Harry Potter star Emma Watson, teen actress Dakota Fanning has vowed not to let her movie career stop her from pursuing a university education.

The 14-year-old star has already started preparing for university degree.

"I definitely want to go to college. I''ve always wanted to, so I definitely think that''s something I will do," the Daily Star quoted her as saying.

"(My parents) definitely support me in that and I''m lucky they supported me in going to a regular high school too, because I was home schooled before," she added.