Berlin - Seven luxury cars were set on fire in a rash of attacks early Wednesday in Berlin in what seemed to be a resumption of far-left attacks.

Police have been powerless to stop the intermittent car-burnings, which have occurred for several years now at intervals of a few months in the German capital.

In the first half of last year alone, about 60 expensive cars were burned in a leftist-dominated central district, Kreuzberg. Wednesday's attacks occurred in various areas around Berlin including Kreuzberg, police said.

Melbourne, Dec 31 : In what appeared to be a publicity stunt or a diversionary tactic, a Paris Hilton look-alike almost stole the socialite's thunder at Sydney''s Sheraton on the Park hotel.

The Hilton look-alike, named as only Sam, had emerged from the hotel causing a brief confusion among the hundreds of waiting fans and paparazzi, reports News. Com. Au.

Sam came out of the hotel with the Hilton signature blonde hair, big handbag and mobile phone-to-ear and then she hopped into a red Ferrari, causing the press to try and get her pictures with fans "oohing" and "aahing".

Peshawar, Dec. 31 : Pakistan is the second deadliest place, in the world for the press with seven out of 60 journalists having been killed here in 2008, a worldwide press freedom round-up has claimed.

"After Iraq (with 15 journalists killed), the two countries with the highest death tolls are Pakistan and the Philippines (six killed)," Paris based Reporters Without Borders
(RSF) was quoted by the Daily Times, as saying.

Srinagar/Jammu, Dec 31 : People in Jammu and Kashmir by and large are optimistic about the new coalition government in the state to be headed by Omar Abdullah, chief of National Conference Party, in alliance with Congress party.

In Srinagar, residents expressed faith in Omar''s leadership saying he would surely work for the development of the region.

"We are sure he will work for the development of people and solve our problems. All the pending problems will be dealt by him," said Janak Singh, a resident.

Melbourne, Dec 31 : The Outback state of Australia, Alice Springs, is to be outed as the lesbian capital on national television.

The television documentary takes a look at the town''s culture of same-sex love, with residents estimating its population to be made up of 25,000 lesbians.

Destiny in Alice, a 25-minute co-production by the ABC and CAAMA, says the town became a "haven" for lesbians after several hundred women marched on the Pine Gap intelligence base in 1983.

Washington, Dec 31 : Actress Tara Reid''s recent romp into Malibu''s Promises Treatment Centre has created uproar after it was reported she was receiving free treatment in the rehab.

According to Star magazine, Promises were looking to save their ailing business so they gave the American Pie starlet a free ride at their facility - which is otherwise rumoured to be 1600 dollars per night.

However, the rehab facility's rep has called the reports false.

"Promises is committed to keeping the identity of clients private to the best of our ability and Promises does not comments on its fees," Fox News quoted a rep from the rehabilitation facility as telling Tarts.