New York, Feb. 24 : A remarkably high level of optimism among Americans about President Obama's leadership has provided him substantial political clout to counter the nation's economic challenges and opposition by nearly all the republicans in the Congress, a survey reveals.

New York, Feb 24: After giving a glimpse of her new beau, Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Bridget Marquardt has now launched a preview of her new Travel Channel series.

New York, Feb 24 : The 2009 Academy Awards have boosted the tumbling viewers ratings, as the number of people who tuned into their TVs to watch `Slumdog Millionaire' being crowned the best film at the Oscars was much higher than last year's figures.

The annual Oscars drew an estimated 36.3 million viewers, up 4.3 million from last-year''s record low.

It also stands as the most-watched entertainment program of any kind of the past two years, reports the New York Daily News.

New York, Feb 24 : American actor Tom Cruise was seen having an awkward moment while talking to his ex, Spanish actress Penelope Cruz, at Creative Artists Agency head Bryan Lourd''s house party on February 20.

According to reports, Cruise was talking with MGM head Mary Parent and producer John Goldwyn in Lourd''s living room when Cruz approached him.

"Penelope tapped him on the shoulder and timidly asked, `Tom?'" the New York Post quoted a source as saying.

"Tom turned around, got visibly flustered and awkwardly said, `Oh, hey. Hi,' and gave her a small, distant hug before turning back around to his friends. It was weird," the source added.

New York  - Ford Motor Company and union leaders reached an agreement Monday designed to lower health care costs in the ailing US car industry.

The deal would allow the carmaker to make contributions to the United Auto Workers (UAW) health care plan for retirees with up to 50 per cent stock instead of cash, a move the manufacturer said would help it meet its obligations. Ford owes 13.6 billion dollars to the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, as the health care trust is known.

Buffalo (New York, US), Feb. 23 : Aasiya Hassan endured years of violence and controlling behavior from her husband while keeping up the facade of a stable marriage

According to the Boston Globe, in the public eye, they were a dynamic couple, building their dream of a Muslim-lifestyle TV channel in the United States.

But police reports compiled for much of their marriage tell another story: Their home life was a nightmare. Her ambitious but troubled husband repeatedly subjected Aasiya to controlling and sometimes violent acts.

To protect herself, she went to the police in two states. Yet for years, she stopped short of pressing charges - thus preserving Muzzammil's reputation and the venture they built together.