Washington - A US federal court ruled Thursday that a group of prisoners being held by the United States in Afghanistan have the right to challenge their detentions in US courts, in a blow to the powers of President Barack Obama's new administration.

Judge John Bates, of the district court in the US capital Washington, ruled the cases of three prisoners being held at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan are "virtually identical" to those being held at the controversial prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

New York - Going to the doctor could become a thing of the past for many people if the telemedicine plans by Intel and General Electric come to fruition.

The two giant US companies announced Thursday that they are teaming up to produce a line of medical devices, including one that would allow doctors to remotely monitor patients' health without them needing to visit the doctor's office.

Washington - The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the United States, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products.

The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.

Washing

Washington  - The US House of Representatives on Thursday approved tougher anti-smoking controls in the United States, for the first time granting a government agency the power to regulate tobacco products.

The House voted 298-112 to hand the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) control over advertising and even the contents of cigarettes, though it does not allow the agency to ban tobacco outright.

Belgrade  - The Serbian government on Thursday said it has paid 900,000 dollars in compensation to the family of a US student who was beaten by a Serb basketball player in the United States last year.

Serbian state secretary Slobodan Homen confirmed the payment to the family of Bryan Steinhauer. Up until now, the government had labeled the case against Miladin Kovacevic, the alleged assailant, as a "state secret," keeping all information tightly sealed.