As he took the stage to the applause from about 200 supporters, former Vice President Al Gore said in Florida that the choice between the two presidential candidates – Barack Obama and John McCain – is a clear one. He added that it was practically the choice between change and more of the same.  

Gore’s visit to Florida marked the first time he has hit the campaign trail for Obama after endorsing him in June, and speaking at the Democratic National Convention in August.

New York - Oscar-nominated star Joaquin Phoenix is retiring from Hollywood to concentrate on his music career, his publicist confirmed after a report on broadcaster NBC.

"This is not strange. Joaquin has been directing music videos and been involved in music for the last number of years," publicist Susan Patricola said.

A few days back, Phoenix said his last film would be Two Lovers, with Gwyneth Paltrow, which is set for a February 2009 release.

Bogota - Five suitcases belonging to the staff of Australian pop singer and songwriter Kylie Minogue were stolen ahead of a concert in Colombian capital Bogota Saturday, media reports said.

The concert is part of her X 2008 tour and is her first in Latin America.

The suitcases contained computer parts, equipment, costumes and passports of some of the singer's staff. They were stolen from the concert venue late Friday, where people were busy setting up the stage.

Milan - A 2-0 win over struggling giants Roma late Saturday pushed Juventus within three points of leaders Inter Milan in the Italian Serie A, and worsened the crisis of the Rome guests holding them dangerously close to the lower reaches.

Juve have now 18 points from 10 games, while Roma were held on seven, just two more than tail-enders Reggina, but with a game in hand.

Washington - Two very persistent Canadian comedians tricked US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin into thinking she was talking to French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday.

Marc-Antoine Audette and Sebastien Trudel took four days to get Palin on the phone, they told Canadian broadcaster CTV.

"I see you as president one day, too," the Sarkozy impersonator told Palin.

"Maybe in eight years," she responded.