Prague - The Czech Republic's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate stood at 4.3 per cent in the third quarter of 2008, the lowest in 12 years, government data showed Friday.

The July-September rate, based on EU-wide International Labour Organization (ILO) methodology, was down 0.8 percentage points year- on-year, the Czech Statistical Office said. But the fall would not hold.

"The trend came to an end. We saw by the end of the third quarter that the decrease will not continue," said Dalibor Holy, office's head of labour statistics.

Washington, Oct 31 : The 1973 thriller, ''The Exorcist'', based on William Peter Blatty''s book, has been named as the ''best horror film ever made'' in a new Halloween poll.

William Friedkin''s flick topped the online poll, which asked more than 6,000 HMV customers - all thanks to its unique blend of supernatural horror, religious iconography and a taboo-breaking script.

Stanley Kubrick''s 1980 adaptation of the Stephen King novel, the Shining, secured the second spot while ''Alien'' was voted third.

James Wan''s ''Saw'', from 2004, nabbed the fifth place and the highest-placing film from the 21st century.

Washington, Oct 31 : Refuting earlier claims, researchers from German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care have found that birth control pills does not deserve its reputation for causing weight gain.

Hormonal methods of contraception and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are the most effective long-term ways to avoid unwanted pregnancy.

And weight gain and weight loss were reported to be one of the adverse effects of the Pill.

According to the Institute''s Director, Professor Peter Sawicki, it turns out that many researchers were too quick to jump to the conclusion that the Pill was responsible.

London, Oct 31: England coach Fabio Capello reckons that David Beckham will be a great acquisition for AC Milan after the midfielder finalised his loan switch to the Italian giants.

Madrid - Brazilian striker Edu de Souza is out of action for around six weeks due to injury, his Spanish club Real Betis announced on Friday.

London, Oct 31: Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has been branded ‘senile’ in Spain and compared to Spanish dictator General Franco.

Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said Ferguson was ‘getting old’ after an interview in which Manchester United’s coach resurrected Real Madrid’s links with Franco.

Madrid-based paper Marca responded with a series of five pictures of Ferguson changing into Franco, with a headline ‘Ferguson Senile’.

I’m not going to waste any time answering him. I admire his history but recently he has gone a bit senile,” The Sun quoted Calderon, as saying.

Ferguson’s own comments came as he slaughtered Real’s arrogant pursuit of Ronaldo during the summer.