London, August 12 : A team of researchers has pinned down how pollution is changing the weather at weekends in some of the countries in Europe.

It’s been known for years that man-made pollution affects weather patterns.

But, according to a report in Nature News, in the first survey of weekly weather cycles to cover Western Europe, researchers have found that pollution seems to be giving the Spanish milder winter weekends.

Interestingly, summer weekends are correspondingly colder and wetter.

London, Aug 12 : A Swedish state-run pharmacy has come under fire for only selling sex toys suitable for women, thus discriminating against men.

Two men have dragged the pharmacy chain Apoteket, to Equal Opportunities Ombudsman, the government referee on sexual discrimination, complaining their discriminatory nature.

According to one of the petitioners, Apoteket, had a “misguided and untrue view of sexuality whereby a woman with a dildo is seen as liberated, strong and independent, while a man with a blow-up plastic vagina is viewed as disgusting and perverted.”

However, refuting the claims, Eva Fernvall, the pharmacy’s head of retailing, said it was simply a matter of maintaining standards.

London, August 12 : A new study by conservationists has revealed that a quarter of whales, dolphins and porpoises are threatened with extinction, with one in 10 species endangered to the very highest levels.

According to a report in The Independent, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports a change in the conservation status of a third of all marine mammals, with the majority said to be at a greater risk of extinction than before.

Critically endangered species include the Antarctic blue whale, Maui’s dolphin, the Pacific grey whale and the Baltic harbour porpoise.

London, Aug 12 : If former Pakistan Army general Talat Masood is to be believed, Punjab Chief Minister and former premier Nawaz Sharif’s brother Shahbaz Sharif is acting as the interlocutor for the coalition federal government in the ongoing negotiations for ensuring a safe exit for President Pervez Musharraf, who is facing impeachment from the coalition government.

“Negotiations are going on for a safe exit to be given to him. Gen Kayani will be meeting Musharraf later this evening. Shahbaz Sharif [Mr Sharif''s younger brother] is acting as the interlocutor for the coalition. I think the Americans and the army are demanding he be given [safe passage]. Impeachment would mean a huge distraction from the war on terror,” The Independent quoted Masood as saying.

London, August 12 : Barack Obama’s campaign has revealed that the Democratic Party’s presumptive nominee will unveil his choice for his potential vice president in an email and text message to supporters as soon as the decision is taken.

His campaign manager David Plouffe himself sent emails to supporters to inform them about this plan.

“Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign - choosing a running mate,” British tabloid The Sun quoted him as writing in the email.

London, Aug 12 : An increasing number of Britons now prefer to spend their Saturday nights at home following the credit crunch.

According to a new survey by Halifax Home Insurance, nearly 60 per cent of the people now prefer to spend Saturday nights with friends and family at each other''s homes, rather than spending money in bars, clubs and restaurants, reports Scotsman.

The survey also showed that 70 per cent of Scots are now spending Saturday nights staying at home.

About 84 per cent of respondents were deliberately trying to save money as they struggle against credit crunch and soaring household bills.