Moscow - At least 12 people have died in an explosion at an ore mine in northern Russia, Interfax news agency reported Friday, citing the Russian Civil Defence.

Washington - A last-ditch effort to pass an emergency loan that would resuscitate the ailing US car industry fell apart late Thursday after negotiations collapsed in the Senate.

After hours of bargaining, Republicans and Democrats failed to agree on a compromise deal.

The bone of contention was the powerful United Auto Workers (UAW) union's refusal to agree to Republican demands for wage cuts and reduction in labour costs to the level of Japanese competitors operating in the US.

Washington, Dec 12 : In case you are hoping for some gossip from U. S. President-elect Barack Obama's former campaign manager David Plouffe's book, then it might be a bit disappointing for you to know that the tome will have no secret tales to tell.

Plouffe's yet-to-be-written book, which has put the publishing world in a bidding frenzy, will be "nothing but great, adulatory about the president."

"I'm not there to tell secret tales. We'll see if there's an interest in that. I'm not just going to do that," Politico. com quoted him, as saying in an interview with Portfolio. com.

The book has been tentatively titled The Audacity To Win, a reference to Obama's million-selling The Audacity of Hope.

Athens - Two people were reported dead after their car was swept away by waves near the port of the holiday island of Kefalonia as dropping temperatures and heavy rain hit Greece on Friday.

After mesmerizing Indian viewers, Ashutosh Gowariker-directed historic genre ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ has won laurels enthralling judges and audiences at BAFTA awards in London.

Ash and Hrithik starrer ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ has been nominated in the Best Foreign film category of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards in London.

Jalandhar, Dec. 12 :Indi-pop singer Mika was at his best when he performed at the Bagpiper Mauja hi Mauja concert in Jalandhar.

With Mika churning out his best numbers one after another, the crowd went mad. Children, teenagers along with not so young couples, all were seen dancing, shaking legs to the songs.

Demand of `once more' arose from the crowd at regular intervals and Mika obliged. Super hit song such as Mauja hi Mauja, Aye Ganpat, Sawan mein lag gayi aag, you name them and the ever energetic Mika had those ready.

But with all fun and entertainment to offer, Mika didn't forget to pay homage to people who lost their lives in the recent Mumbai attack.