London, Jan 19 : A British politician has said that voluntary work could improve young people''s sex lives.

The comments made by Tim Loughton, Tory MP and Shadow Minister for Children, has now come under fire.

Loughton made the statement during a Parliamentary question and answer session on funding for volunteer groups.

"We are all well aware of the excellent work voluntary groups do to promote social cohesion and to engage young people in their communities, and of the excellent qualities volunteering brings. It promotes self-esteem and a survey showed 17 per cent of 18- to

London, Jan 19 : Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue will be hosting this year's Brit awards.

The 40-year-old singer will be presenting the awards along with Gavin and Stacey stars James Corden and Mathew Horne.

The event will be held at London''s Earls Court on February 18.

"With performances from U2 and Pet Shop Boys already confirmed, the addition of Girls Aloud, Duffy and Kings Of Leon to the bill means we are heading towards a truly special Brits this year," the Telegraph quoted Chairman of The Brits Committee Ged Doherty as saying.

New Delhi, Jan 19: Inaugurating a two-day India-Africa Business Partnership summit in New Delhi on Monday, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee called for increased cooperation and dialogue with African nations on crucial global issues, including Jihadi terrorism.

Mukherjee also referred other issues like climate change, food and energy security, health, marine piracy and democratization of financial institutions.

New Delhi, Jan 19 : A unit of the Army contingent left on UN peace keeping mission to Lebanon from here on Monday.

Third largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, India is sending its second battalion of the Dogra regiment to Lebanon.

Deputy Chief of the Army Staff, SPS Dhillon told reporters that the unit had been deployed under Chapter six of the Unites Nations-Peacekeeping to ease the tensions in the region.

Jerusalem, Jan. 19 : The militant outfit Hamas on Monday declared victory over Israel, claiming that it had lost just 48 fighters during the 22-day conflict in the Gaza Strip.

"We announce to our people the martyrdom of 48 Qassam fighters," The Telegraph quoted Abu Obeida, spokesman for the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, as saying.