Also, eBay is looking to connect to more consumers locally. To that end, Durzy says there is already significant overlap in users. He points to a Dallas Meetup group formed for folks who sell on eBay. Says Durzy, "We see a similarity in philosophy."

Indeed, Meetup plans to use a portion of the investment to launch six conferences across the country not so dissimilar from the eBay Live conference the company holds annually to bring sellers together. Says Scott Heiferman, "We want to help organizers become great leaders." The first Meetup conference will happen in Houston in May.

Also, Meetup will use its new resources to launch an advertising campaign to draw attention to local groups. The first Meetup posters will hit New York City subways on Mar. 24, says Heiferman.

It's never too long before the latest craze to sweep America makes its way to the UK but most would wish this one really hadn't. Celebrity wigs designed for babies up to nine months old and are set to hit the market, to the outrage of children's charities.

There's a Bob Marley style dreadlock wig, a Samuel L Jackson afro as seen in movie Pulp Fiction and a Donald Trump comb-over - perhaps for that mature look. For the girls there's flowing pink locks based on singer Lil' Kim.

But Michelle Elliott of Kidscape said as well as unnecessary the wigs could be dangerous. "This is ridiculous. Any parent who buys one of these wigs for their child needs their head examined." Wigs are incredibly uncomfortable for a start. Babies are wonderful but dirty little things and the last thing they need is a wig." The wigs are manufactured by California-based firm BabyToupee and cost £14. The firm's website says its aim to "show that while parenting can be a great responsibility, it can also be a source of endless amusement."

Founder Graham Farrar said: "Having a baby doesn't mean you have to stop having fun or do everything by the book. We don' take ourselves or our products too seriously."

US biotech firm Allerca says it has managed to selectively breed them by reducing a certain type of protein that triggers allergic reactions. The company says the animals will not cause the red eyes, sneezing and even asthma triggered by cat allergy, except in the most acute cases. Despite costing $3,950 (£2,104), there is already a waiting list to get one. Allerca first started taking orders for hypoallergenic cats back in 2004.

It tested huge numbers of cats trying to find the tiny fraction that do not carry the glycoprotein Fel d1 - contained in an animal's saliva, fur and skin - which often prompts an allergic reaction in humans. Those cats were then selectively bred to produce the hypoallergenic kittens now on sale, the company says. The company's Steve May told the BBC that it was a natural, if time consuming, method. "This is a natural gene divergence within the cat DNA - one out of 50,000 cats will have this natural divergence," he said.

"So candidates - natural divergent cats - were found and then bred so there is really no modification of the gene." The BBC's Pascale Harter says there could soon be a global market for the kittens - in the US alone 38 million households own a cat, and around the world an estimated 35% of humans suffer from allergies.

Black cars denote an aggressive personality or someone who's an outsider or rebel.

Silver cars indicate someone who's cool, calm and slightly aloof.

Green cars can often be chosen by people with hysterical tendencies.

Yellow cars signify someone who is idealistic and novelty loving.

Blue cars are chosen by the more introspective, reflective and cautious driver.

Gray cars represent those who are calm, sober and dedicated to their work.

Red cars denote those who are full of zest, energy and drive and who think, move and talk quickly.

Pink cars are chosen by gentle, loving and affectionate drivers.

White cars represent status-seeking extrovert drivers.

Cream cars are the least likely to be involved in accidents and denote self-contained and controlled owners.

Designer Giorgio Armani has blamed stylists and the media for the fashion industry's obsession with ultra-thin women. In London to host a music and fashion extravaganza with stars Beyonce, 50 Cent and Bono, Armani said no girl needed to be anorexic to be fashionable.

A debate about models' weight has shaken the fashion world in recent days since Madrid banned excessively thin women from its catwalks after accusations their appearance may cause eating disorders in young women. "I have never wanted to use girls that are too skinny. I prefer girls that show off my clothes in the best way," Armani told Reuters Television after the show late on Thursday. "Unfortunately though, the stylists and also the media have interfered and they now want models that are incredibly thin."

Armani, whose client list spans Hollywood to high finance, is a bellwether for the industry and the most powerful fashion insider yet to speak out on the weight debate. "No one thinks that for a girl to be fashionable she needs to be anorexic, that she must not eat. I will only take on healthy girls," he said.

Armani made the comments on the red carpet of one of the most anticipated events of the fashion calendar and the hottest ticket of this week's London Fashion Week. Before rock stars and actors, the 72-year-old designer hosted a three-hour show and launched a new fashion collection in support of RED, an activism venture of U2 rock star Bono aimed at raising funds to fight AIDS in Africa.

The TCX Make-A-Wish Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chopper is a one of a kind! This chopper was made exclusively for Dale Earnhardt Jr. and JR Motorsports by the The Cycle Xchange (www.TCXCustoms). The chopper has been autographed on the rear fender and the signature was clear-coated in to preserve it. The chopper will be put on Ebay beginning Friday, September 29, 2006 and the opening bid will be $8,888. The winning bidder and a guest will be flown to Charlotte from anywhere in the continental United States. They will be the guests of the Celebrity Sports Auction and stay at The Westin Hotel in Uptown Charlotte, home of the auction.

Girls will be able to play out the fantastical dance scenes of Barbie and her 11 sisters with an interactive, award-winning toy line-up headlined by Let's Dance Barbie as Princess Genevieve, which allows girls to dance with Barbie doll in three ways, and the "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses" Interactive Dance Mat, which allows girls to learn ballet and ballroom dance using a television with an interactive, plug-and-play dance mat.

"This holiday, we're excited to launch a toy line that drives back to the movie's cornerstone themes -- princess and dance -- delivering a fantastical and imaginative play experience that only Barbie can provide to girls," said Chuck Scothon, general manager and senior vice president, Mattel Brands, Girls.

*****

Casting Barbie as Princess Genevieve, this film features Barbie as the seventh sister of 12 beautiful princesses who live with their lovable father, the King, in a dance-filled castle. When the King's cousin Rowena comes to live with them everything changes -- no dancing, music or fun. Can Barbie and her sisters stop Rowena's treachery and save her father while restoring joy, music and dance back to the castle? Suggested retail price is $19.98.

- "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses" Let's Dance! Barbie Doll: The interactive Let's Dance! Barbie doll is approximately 15-inches-tall and brings the beautiful choreography from the movie to life. Girls and Barbie doll can dance together in three ways: she can follow girls' dance moves, teach girls new moves via demonstration and speech, or perform for girls. The doll includes two interactive wrist bands and one ankle bracelet which can be used by the girls to dance with Barbie. The doll's arms are controlled by Infra Red and the leg is controlled by Radio Frequency technology. Barbie doll wears a beautiful gown and comes with a removable base for even more play. Suggested retail price is $54.99 for ages 3 and up.

-- Barbie as Princess Genevieve: Already named as a Toy Wishes Magazine "Holiday All Star," this beautiful Barbie doll with a dramatic feature allows girls to reenact scenes from the magical story again and again. Barbie doll wears a beautiful rose-colored gown with a skirt that spins and lights up! The doll also comes with a miniature Twyla kitten figure. Suggested retail price is $24.99 for ages 3 and up.

-- "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses" Interactive Dance Mat: This interactive dance mat provides a special role-play experience for girls. Girls join Barbie as Princess Genevieve and her sisters from the story on their television as girls see different dance styles on a beautiful interactive dance mat. Girls will learn ballet and ballroom dance with 10 different songs featured in two enchanted sceneries. Suggested retail price is $29.99 for ages 3 and up.

Other items in the toy collection include:

-- Kelly Dolls (triplets) Assortment

-- Princesses Isla and Hadley Dolls (twin sisters)

-- Older Sisters Doll Assortments

-- Prince Derek, the Royal Cobbler Doll

-- Twyla Ballerina Plush

-- Magical Dance Castle Playset

-- Horse and Carriage

-- Princess Vanity Playset

Wal-Mart, the nation's largest retailer, said it would begin selling generic versions of widely prescribed drugs to its workers and customers at sharply reduced prices, a move that could force rival pharmacies to do the same. The giant discount chain, which has used its size to knock down the costs of toys, clothing and groceries, will sell 300 generic drugs for as low as $4 for a one-month supply. On average, generic drugs cost between $10 and $30 for a 30-day prescription.

Wal-Mart will test the lower prices at 65 stores in the Tampa, Fla., area and, depending on consumer response, is likely to expand the program next year. The drugs covered by the program treat common conditions like allergies, cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. In some cases, the company said, customers could save more than 60 percent over typical generic drug costs. The lower prices will be available to the insured and the uninsured.

The Florida experiment with lower generic drug prices appears to mark the first time that Wal-Mart has used its unrivaled influence in the American economy to lower the cost of health care for its customers. "We are able to do this by using one of the greatest strengths our company has — to take costs out of the system," said Bill Simon, an executive vice president at the chain. "In this case, we are applying this to health care."

*****

Wal-Mart said it obtained the lower generic drug prices by squeezing costs out of its already efficient supply chain, rather than pressuring drug manufacturers to lower costs. "We are not in hard negotiations with anyone," Mr. Simon said. "We are taking costs out of our system and passing them on to our customers." The new generic drug program was announced this morning at a Wal-Mart store in Tampa, with senior company executives and elected leaders in attendance.

Tests so far have been confined to mice, but researchers at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children’s Hospital in Boston say the findings would mark a seismic shift in the biology of tanning if the cream was determined to be safe for humans. Unlike sunless tanning lotions that color the skin, the cream alters skin pigmentation much like a suntan. The more days it was applied, the darker the skin became. A heavy application over more than a week left some mice nearly black. The mice experienced no dangerous side effects, scientists said.

And researchers said the findings suggest people may be able to change their skin pigmentation to ward off skin cancers like melanoma, the world's fastest-growing cancer. "We just kind of smeared it on once a day, five days a week. Within a couple of days you could clearly see they were becoming darker," said David Fisher, director of the Melanoma Program at Dana-Farber and senior author of the study published in the journal Nature on Thursday. The cream "switched on the tanning machinery" in mice skin cells that were genetically designed to resemble those in blond and redheaded people, the study said.

People who tan easily, or have naturally dark skin, are far less likely to develop skin cancer than those with fair skin, the study said, a point which Fisher said underlined its potential significance in reducing cancer rates at a time when more fair-skinned people are living in sun-belts like the southern United States, Australia and the Middle East. In the United States, melanoma accounts for 62,000 new cases of cancer a year and nearly 8,000 deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. The molecule at the heart of the cream recreates a process that occurs naturally when ultraviolet sunlight strikes skin cells. The cells respond differently depending on a person's skin type. For people who tan well, the sun's ultraviolet rays initially harm DNA in the skin, but this is followed by a robust tanning that curbs the DNA damage.

For lousy tanners, even a light tan can inflict significant DNA damage that can lead to cancers like melanoma by causing pigment-making skin cells known as melanocytes to begin dividing rampantly. The researchers say a darkening in pigmentation can help these people reduce that risk. "Our strategy turns on pigment but doesn’t touch the DNA," said Fisher. "This actually may represent a broader strategy to prevent the damage that UV causes in the skin, shielding the skin in ways that traditional sunscreens cannot."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Segway Personal Transporter (PT) [also known as the Segway Human Transporter (HT)]

Units: About 23,500

Manufacturer: Segway Inc., of Bedford, N.H.

Hazard: The personal transporter can unexpectedly apply reverse torque to the wheels, which can cause a rider to fall. This can occur when the device is tilted back by the Speed Limiter and the rider comes off and then back onto the device within a short period of time.

Incidents/Injuries: Segway Inc. has received six reports of the personal transporter not operating properly, resulting in injuries to the head and wrist of users.

Description: This recall involves all Segway PT i167, i170 and i180 (“i Series”) models, the p133 (“p Series”), XT (“cross-terrain transporter”), GT (“golf transporter”) and i2 models. These units were sold to consumers and commercial customers. All e167 (“e Series”) models, which were sold to commercial users, also are included in this recall. No other models are involved in this recall. The name, “Segway”, appears on the front bumper and/or on the handlebars of the personal transporter.

Sold through: Segway authorized dealers and distributors, directly from Segway Inc., and by certain resellers from March 2002 through mid-September 2006 for prices ranging from $4,000 to $5,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the Segway PT immediately and contact the company to receive a free software upgrade.

Consumer Contact: Call Segway Inc. at (800) 750-6557 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit www.segway.com. Segway Inc. and Segway authorized dealers and distributors are directly notifying owners of these products.

Thats right, this is not a clone or replica! This is one of the actual cars built for and used in Christine by John Carpenter and Stephen King. This is car # 14, it has a full documented history verifying its authenticity. For the movie the car was fitted with a roll cage and a low mounted solo seat so that the driver would be out of site and the car would appear self driving. After the movie the cars interior was restored back to origional so it could be used more practically. The stunt parts are included. This car has been on display in our museum for the past 5 years and has not been for sale. It is the most talked about car, more so than even the Batmobile. It is one of, if not these most significant movie cars of all times. While lots of cars are used in movies, this car was the movie! The main character with the movie being named after her. Also unlike many high profile movie cars, this one does not carry any contract limiting its commercial use. One of our most prescious movie cars. However it is time to let someone else enjoy it so we can make room for a new display.

"iPod lovers come in every shade and color under the sun and with millions of tastes and preferences," said Scott Huskinson, president and CEO of ifrogz. "There's absolutely no reason why the look of their iPods shouldn't be as unique and customizable as their playlists. Most case makers give us only a few basic colors to choose from. ifrogz sees things differently."

Whereas many silicone iPod cases are flimsy, gummy and collect lint, ifrogz uses only 100 percent high-grade, polished silicone that has been specially treated to resist dust and dirt. This makes the case smooth and silky to the touch, in addition to being thick and durable.

ifrogz cases also differ from every other iPod case on the market by providing three distinct components for total protection -- and complete color customization -- of your iPod: Wrapz(TM), Bandz(TM) and Screenz(TM). Wrapz, the main case component of the ifrogz system, cover the entire player from top to bottom and expose only the screen (which is covered by a clear plastic protector), scroll wheel, headphone jack and other ports.

The thick, durable Bandz then stretch completely around the sides of the iPod, thus protecting exposed ports and adding a bonus element of style. Bandz feature only a single opening over the iPod's headphone jack for optimum protection of the device's connection ports. Screenz, the final -- and most customizable -- element of the ifrogz system, are protective sheets of transparent plastic that lay over the player's Click Wheel. With more than 200 unique Screenz, used in tandem with the 38 colors of both Wrapz and Bandz to result in 300,000 possible combinations, it's highly unlikely your ifrogz case could ever be mistaken for someone else's.

Fashion Week organizers rejected the call -- but said they were canceling the event's opening photo call to avoid giving the issue more publicity. Last week Madrid's Fashion Week, the Pasarela Cibeles, announced it was banning models with a Body Mass Index, or height to weight ratio, below 18.

Organizers of the Spanish event said they wanted models to project "an image of beauty and health" and shun a gaunt, emaciated look. "I applaud the decision taken by Madrid to ban super-thin models, and urge the organizers of London Fashion Week to do the same," British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell. The World Health Organization considers people with a BMI below 18.5 underweight. To achieve a BMI of 18, a 5-foot-9 model would have to weigh about 125 pounds. The average runway model at that height is 115 pounds.

The body mass index is a tool for doctors who study obesity. It is calculated by dividing weight in pounds by height in inches squared, and multiplying that total by 703. If the resulting number is between 18.5 and 24.9, the person's weight is considered normal. Below 18.5 they are underweight. "The fashion industry's promotion of beauty as meaning stick thin is damaging to young girls' self image and to their health," Jowell said in a statement. "Young girls aspire to look like the catwalk models -- when those models are unhealthily underweight it pressurizes girls to starve themselves to look the same."

The British Fashion Council, which runs Fashion Week, said in a statement that it "does not comment or interfere in the aesthetic of any designer's show." "The BFC has canceled the photo call on Sunday because it is unwilling to add any more impetus to the publicity surrounding this complicated issue," it added,

Last season, London was effectively reinstated on the fashion map by Anna Wintour, the hugely influential editor of American Vogue, whose presence in the front row marked the end of London's years in the wilderness. The message was that if she took the London shows seriously, so must the rest of the fashion industry. While she won't be attending this time, London is again playing host to more famous faces: designers Giorgio Armani and Tom Ford, who is in town to judge the Fashion Fringe competition for emerging design talent.

Armani, the uncrowned king of Italian fashion, is presenting his Emporio line outside Milan for the first time, and is launching his new Emporio Armani Red capsule collection, 40% of the profits of which will go towards the Global Fund, the agency fighting Aids in Africa.

As is fitting of a brand that has just announced its net profits are up to £154.8m, Armani is marking the occasion with a huge event on Thursday, including an appearance from Chelsea footballer Andriy Shevchenko, and performances from Beyoncé and Bono.

Going against the traditional wisdom spoken by the philosophers from Fugazi, "You are not what you own," Zebo defines you by what you own. Your profile is filled with information about what gadgets you buy and which brands you dig. There's also some integrated MySpace and YouTube functionality. The idea is that you can check out what other people are buying, get product recommendations, go shopping, and potentially hang out with (date) other Zeboers who are into the same brands, bands and styles as you.

The familiar tokens from the Monopoly board game are getting a modern — and, some might say, mercenary — makeover. An updated edition of the venerable game, scheduled to be introduced on Thursday, will include tokens that are styled after name-brand products. Five of the eight tokens in the new Monopoly Here and Now edition will be branded, offering game players the chance to be represented by miniature versions of a Toyota Prius hybrid car, an order of McDonald's French fries, a New Balance running shoe, a cup of Starbucks coffee or a Motorola Razr cellphone.

Those who consider playing games to be too serious to be commercialized need not fret. The maker of Monopoly, Hasbro, says that toy stores, discount stores and other retail outlets will continue to sell the original edition of the game, based on the classic version brought out by Parker Brothers in 1935, alongside the new edition.

The 11 tokens in the classic version — including the battleship, cannon, iron, shoe, thimble and top hat — will remain unchanged. The branded tokens are part of a reinvention of Monopoly that Hasbro executives hope will offer consumers modernized references more relevant to them than the elements of the game that date to the Great Depression. For instance, rather than collecting $200 each time Go is passed, in the new edition the player collects $2 million. The four railroads on the Monopoly board — B&O, Pennsylvania, Reading and Short Line — will be supplanted by the country's four busiest airports: Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Kennedy in New York, Los Angeles and O'Hare in Chicago.

And the properties of Atlantic City that compose the game board will make way for real estate from Boston and Washington to Las Vegas and Hollywood.

*****

Until now, there has been relatively little evidence of commercial trappings in traditional board games like Monopoly. The arrival of such elements worries some experts. "It's part of the insinuation of the commercial culture into every aspect of our lives," said Gary Ruskin, executive director at Commercial Alert, a nonprofit organization in Portland, Ore., that seeks to curtail what it deems to be creeping commercialization.

The coming of branded tokens "turns Monopoly into a giant advertisement," Mr. Ruskin said. "It's a shame Hasbro has chosen to go this low road."

Multi-platinum rapper Eminem has designed limited-edition uppers of eight different shoes in the Air Max series; from the Air Max ’87 (originally designed by Tinker Hatfield, one of the world’s foremost footwear designers), all the way up to the most recent Air Max 360. His reinterpretation of the upper has been laid onto the original blueprints for each of the Air Max shoes to create a unique set of shoe designs. An ardent fan of the Air Max and avid collector of sneakers, Eminem jumped at the chance to imprint his own personal touch on the world of sneaker collectors and raise funds for disadvantaged youths, both in his home state of Michigan and around the world in refugee camps.

In addition to serving as the face of Fortunoff, Petra will take on the role as designer for the very first time. She collaborated with the jewelry design team to create a new collection called the "Petra for Fortunoff Collection," available this holiday season in all Fortunoff retail locations, as well as online. Fortunoff is widely known for its vast selection of classic and chic jewelry at accessible prices. In keeping with this philosophy, the "Petra for Fortunoff Collection" incorporates pieces in gold, sterling silver, and pieces with diamonds and gemstones that retail from $125 to $5,000. This collection is derivative of Petra's keen eye for design and unique sense of personal style. A portion of proceeds from select items will benefit the Happy Hearts Fund, Petra's personal charity of choice she founded in 2005. The Happy Hearts Fund provides aid to children in need who have suffered loss or hardship as a result of natural, economic or health related disasters.

"For me, jewelry is an easy way to make a personal statement with your look. I feel very blessed to now be a part of the Fortunoff team, and the pieces I designed not only add a glamorous and sexy touch to any outfit, they add a bit of light and hope to your outlook each and every day," explained Petra Nemcova.

Joel Kier, of the Office of the Chairman relayed, "We are very excited to announce Petra as the new face of the Fortunoff brand. Not only is she extraordinarily beautiful but she epitomizes the modern day woman. Her humanitarian efforts are inspiring and we feel she's a perfect choice because of her well-rounded nature."

Another element of this collaboration includes a holiday ornament called "The Petra Heart" that has been exclusively designed for Fortunoff by renowned ornament expert Christopher Radko. The design features the children of the world holding hands around a heart, which exemplifies the mission of the Happy Hearts Fund. The ornament will retail for $46, and will be available in Fortunoff stores and on their website at Fortunoff.com beginning November 1st with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Happy Hearts Fund.

1. Set the starting price low (except for items you expect little interest in). Low starting prices stimulate auction traffic and get early bidders psychologically invested in the auction, leading to more completed sales and higher final prices. Professor Gillian Ku from London Business School and professors Adam Galinsky and J. Keith Murnighan from Northwestern found that Nikon cameras with starting prices of $0.01 resulted in significantly higher final prices than the average price for completed camera auctions.

An auction for a kitchen sink with a starting price of $225 ended without a single bidder. When re-auctioned with a starting price of $75, the sink sold for $275. The exception to the start-low rule: If you're selling an idiosyncratic item you don't think a lot of people will bid on, set a price closer to the item's actual value.

8. Don't end auctions during "eBay happy hour." Though it might seem counterintuitive, a University of Pennsylvania researcher found that auctions ending during peak hours on eBay are actually 9.6% less likely to result in a sale. The reason? More competition. About 35% of auctions end between 5 p.m. and 8:59 p.m., when 25% of bids are placed.

9. Charge for shipping—but not too much. Bidders don't pay much attention to shipping costs when placing bids, say professors at UC Berkeley and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. CDs listed with a starting price of one cent with $3.99 shipping averaged 21% higher final sale prices than CDs set with an opening price of $4 and no shipping charge. But when the professors listed CDs with a $2 starting price and a $6 shipping cost, five of the 20 CDs went unsold.

The world's first ban on overly thin models at a top-level fashion show in Madrid has caused outrage among modeling agencies and raised the prospect of restrictions at other catwalk pageants. Madrid's fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that young girls and women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders.

Organizers say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look. But Cathy Gould, of New York's Elite modeling agency, said the fashion industry was being used as a scapegoat for illnesses like anorexia and bulimia. "I think its outrageous, I understand they want to set this tone of healthy beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model and what about the freedom of the designer," said Gould, Elite's North America director, adding that the move could harm careers of naturally "gazelle-like" models.

*****

The Madrid show is using the body mass index or BMI -- based on weight and height -- to measure models. It has turned away 30 percent of women who took part in the previous event. Medics will be on hand at the September 18-22 show to check models. Under the Madrid ruling, models must have a BMI rating of around 18. That would disqualify top Spanish model Esther Canadas, and supermodels like Kate Moss, based on unofficial records of their height and weight.

"The restrictions could be quite a shock to the fashion world at the beginning, but I'm sure it's important as far as health is concerned," said Leonor Perez Pita, director of Madrid's show, also known as the Pasarela Cibeles. When asked if they supported controls, seven Spanish designers showing at Madrid either declined to comment or said they did not want to become involved in the controversy. Designers in Milan gave a similar response.

A spokeswoman for the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain, which represents those at Madrid fashion week, said the group supported restrictions and its concern was the quality of collections, not the size of models. Eating disorder activists said many Spanish model agencies and designers oppose the ban and they had doubts whether the new rules would be followed. "If they don't go along with it the next step is to seek legislation, just like with tobacco," said Carmen Gonzalez of Spain's Association in Defense of Attention for Anorexia and Bulimia, which has campaigned for restrictions since the 1990s.

To symbolize the spirit of the collection, Dooney & Bourke has selected actress Emma Roberts, niece of the famed Julia Roberts, as the new face for the upcoming national ad campaign. The campaign is set to debut in the themed "Young Hollywood" issue of Teen Vogue in October. Roberts is best known for starring in the Nickelodeon series Unfabulous and, like her aunt before her, is pursuing a big screen career. She has already been seen in movies such as last spring's Aquamarine and will be the lead in the 2007 release of Nancy Drew. There is no doubt that with her winning smile and bubbly personality, Emma Roberts is a rising star.

As a Dooney & Bourke model, Roberts follows in the footsteps of leading ladies Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan. For the current season, Peter Dooney turned it up a notch by teaming up with Emma Roberts, not only to model the teen collection, but also to lend a hand in designing. Emma spent a day with the Dooney & Bourke design team to create a new limited edition bag bearing her signature style which will debuting in December.

With price points starting at just $19.99, Disney's imaging products also come with the Disney Pix(TM) software, designed to inspire a child's creativity and imagination. This proprietary, highly interactive and easy-to-use editing software suite allows users to customize their photos with Disney characters, stamps, frames and more. A video editing version is also available for digital camcorder products.

*****

The line includes:

-- Disney Pix Micro(TM) Digital Camera: An ultra-small camera (6.5"w x 10"h x 2.5"d) for easy, on-the-go pictures -- perfect to hang from a backpack or handbag. Features CIF digital resolution, storage capacity of 24 photos, status LCD display, requires 1 AAA battery (not included) and comes with camera strap and Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM. (SRP $19.99)

-- Disney Pix Click(TM) Digital Camera: Loaded with many options, this camera features a 1" color LCD screen, VGA digital resolution (640 x 480), stores up to 200 photos, a 2X digital zoom, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Click comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM, USB cord and 2 interchangeable face plates with stylish character graphics. (SRP $49.99)

-- Disney Pix Max(TM) Digital Camera: Fully loaded with high performance options for optimum picture taking, features a 3 Mega Pixel digital resolution, a 1.5" color LCD screen that allows users to view their photos enhanced with Disney images utilizing innovative digital custom photo frames available directly on the screen. Also includes a 4X digital zoom, expandable memory card slot, built-in auto flash, TV output (NTSC/PAL compatible), requires 2 AA batteries (not included). The Disney Pix Max comes with a camera strap, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

-- Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker(TM): Girls can now star in their very own Disney Princess movie with this new digital camcorder featuring 32MB of built-in memory, 640 x 480 video resolution and a built-in microphone. With easy-to-use Disney Pix(TM) software included, girls can edit their own videos and add music, animation, sound effects, titles and credits. The Disney Princess Digital Movie Maker(TM) comes with a wrist strap, a docking station, Disney Pix(TM) software CD-ROM and a USB cord. (SRP $79.99)

On Monday, HSN is announcing the nation's first shop-by-remote system for digital TV customers. It will be available in New York City and Hawaii, where it's been tested in some homes. Other major cities will get access in coming months.

"We've been chomping at the bit" to offer the service, says John McDevitt, vice president of finance for HSN, based in St. Petersburg, Fla. "It's a natural evolution for our industry."

HSN viewers who have pre-registered credit card information with the company can use the service. No special remote or cable box is needed. Digital TV companies get a cut of the network's sales.

"It's a big deal," says Thomas Umstead, programming editor for MultiChannel News, a trade publication that covers the cable TV industry. "Instead of having to pick up the phone to call and order the latest Gucci bag, you just point and click."

Shopping by remote takes about 30 seconds, says McDevitt. Calling and placing an order takes about 2 minutes.

The exhibition will be on view at the Western Reserve Historical Society (WRHS) in Cleveland from Feb. 23 through June 10. Tickets are now on sale. The three-year, five-city tour was originally set to conclude at the Dayton Art Institute earlier this year, but the exhibition's popularity will bring it back to the Midwest for an encore presentation.

"The response in the States has been overwhelming, and Americans had so much affection for Diana, we wanted the exhibition to return there for the 10- year anniversary of the tragedy that took her away from us too soon," said Princess Diana's brother, Charles, the Ninth Earl Spencer, who is working closely with exhibition organizers, AEI.

Visitors will get a rare inside look at Princess Diana's life through nearly 150 objects, including her 1981 Royal Wedding gown, 28 designer dresses and gowns, family heirlooms, personal mementos, paintings, and rare home movies and photos. Objects from the exhibition are on loan from the Althorp Estate, the Spencer Family's 500-year-old ancestral home.

"We are delighted to be the host organization for this incredible exhibition, and help make it available to people in Northeast Ohio," said WRHS CEO Patrick Reymann. "This remarkable woman touched millions of lives all over the world and this exhibition truly celebrates her contributions and her legacy as well as her personal and family history. The preservation of such stories for families of all backgrounds is what the historical society is all about."

Added AEI president and Cleveland native John Norman: "In organizing this exhibition with Charles Spencer, I was fascinated to learn that Diana was just an ordinary person that ended up leading this extraordinary life. She could have chosen to lead a life of privilege but she instead chose to use her celebrity to bring awareness to the causes she cared about deeply."

This 10,000 square-foot exhibition tells the story of Diana through nine galleries: Tiara; The Spencer Women; Childhood; Engagement; Royal Wedding; Charity; Tribute; Style; and Condolence. The centerpiece is the glorious Royal Wedding gallery, featuring Diana's resplendent gown from her 1981 marriage to Prince Charles, along with her diamond tiara, veil, 25-foot-long train, shoes, parasol and bridesmaid's dress.

Admission to Diana, A Celebration will be $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, $10 for children (6-12), and $15 for WRHS members. This is a separate admission from the regular exhibits at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Special rates for groups, senior groups and school groups are also available. Tickets will be available from Ticketmaster, but are currently available by calling 216-721-5722 ext. 286. For group ticket information, call 216-721- 5722 ext. 320.

This is the latest look coming to our NHS hospitals – a burka-style gown for patients. Instead of standard issue clothing, women who want to cover up because of their faith are to be offered the striking turquoise garment. Although welcomed by doctors as a breakthrough to encourage Muslim women to seek treatment, critics last night said the move was "another example of political correctness".

The "Inter-faith gown" is being piloted at Royal Preston Hospital after complaints from women that regulation dress was too revealing. Hospitals across the country are also being offered the £12 burkas by an NHS clothing supplier. Doctors say that many women do not show up for vital operations because they fear the procedure will mean them breaking strict Islamic law. The hooded "Inter-faith gown" is designed to reveal nothing but the patients’ eyes and hands and yet allow access for surgeons. Last night Conservative MP Philip Davies, who has campaigned against political correctness, said the dress would stir up resentment on wards because patients would believe others were getting special treatment.

"This may be viewed as a reasonable request from one particular group of patients but what I would like to ask is where does that request lie in a hospital's priorities?" he said. "It is another example of political correctness because it is the sort of thing that has been brought in because the words "faith" and "race" have been mentioned. "The average patient on a ward will look at this and be resentful because they will say to themselves: "This has been brought in because it is a Muslim request."

"They themselves may have other requests, like more visiting hours, more flexible meal times or a brighter lamp for their bedside table, but they know they've got less chance of achieving this. A burka-style hospital gown is only high on the priority list because of the politically correct world we live in."

The gown was devised by Karen Jacob, the linen services manager for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which runs Royal Preston Hospital. Leeds-based company Interweave Textiles has taken on her design, offering the gowns on a free trial in Preston. Bosses say the response has been "overwhelming" and they expect other trusts to buy them so they can offer the option to Muslims. The price will be £240 for a batch of 20 garments. It marks the first change from the regulation gown seen on wards for decades. A spokesman for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "It has been brought in because some ladies simply felt they could not wear the normal gown which, as we all know, can show parts of us we do not want on show."