Immigrants the new lifeblood of US cities abandoned by locals

Washington: Immigration is helping to keep America's big cities vibrant and alive, buffering major metropolitan areas from a slow drain in population as long-time residents move out, new data released on Thursday by the US Census Bureau shows.

Life Style

Celebrity clothing or cloning?

LONDON: Am I the only female not prepared to queue in my "fashion-forward" cork wedges for the honor of buying "exclusive" togs from the forthcoming celebrity ranges? If you like that kind of thing, there are a few coming up: Kate Moss for Topshop, Madonna for H&M and Lily Allen for New Look.

Bobby makes a comeback

COLOGNE: The new darling among women is Bob. Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham has fallen for him and in the spring, a lot of fashion-conscious women will most certainly follow suit.

Searching for the perfect wedding destination

NEGRIL, Jamaica: The first time Gerri Carr got married, she took a traditional route big Catholic church, packed pews, and a near panic attack before she walked down the aisle.

IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Life Health

Tiger, thou art but a mouse

TCM practitioner and rheumatism expert Zhou Naiyu always turned to tiger bone for her prescriptions in the 1980s. But the 1993 ban on trading in tiger products has led to this ingredient disappearing from TCM prescriptions.

Brains behind new X-ray treatments

In medical centers worldwide, many life-threatening brain ailments that used to require risky open-skull operations are being treated through much less invasive procedures guided by X-ray technology.

Exercise can ease pregnancy's discomforts

BERLIN: Many expectant mothers develop physical problems that can restrict their daily activities considerably. Their blood pressure dips regularly. Back pain increases almost daily.

Life Stage

Sex and the Chinese cities

Remember the winner of the 1960 Best Picture Oscar The Apartment? Director Billy Wilder's bittersweet, heart-rending, tragic-comedy was a tale about everyday people who get tangled up in love and jealousy. Now Chinese director Meng Jinghui, known for his experimental theatrical works, retells the classic American story in his own way.