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Bucharest  - Romanians elect a new parliament Sunday amid an economic downturn that has cost thousands of jobs and could force the next government to take unpopular austerity measures.

Los Angeles  - The Houston Rockets didn’t need Tracy McGrady to handle the San Antonio Spurs. They really didn’t need Yao Ming, either.

Redmond, Washington  - Microsoft has announced an overhaul of its internet-based Windows Live communications platform. Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Hotmail in particular have been equipped with a new user interface and added functionality, Microsoft reports.

Berlin  - Tourists are pouring into the German capital, bent on soaking up the fairyland atmosphere of Berlin’s extraordinary range of Christmas markets.

Washington  - Holiday retail sales in the US were up three per cent from last year, the smallest gain on Black Friday in three years, a research firm said Saturday.

Washington  - The seven astronauts on space shuttle Endeavour were to complete their mission to the International Space Station (ISS) with landing scheduled at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Sunday.

Madrid  - A 3-0 win away to Sevilla, with two goals from the exuberant Lionel Messi, late Saturday has left impressive Barcelona six points clear at the top of the Spanish Liga.

Los Angeles  - For nearly two-and-a-half quarters, the Los Angeles Lakers couldn’t stop the Dallas Mavericks, until finally figuring it out.

Bucharest  - Romanians elect a new parliament Sunday amid an economic downturn that has cost thousands of jobs and could force the next government to take unpopular austerity measures.

Los Angeles  - US playwright William Gibson, who brought Helen Keller’s story to the masses first on stage and later through the filming of The Miracle Worker, has died at age 94, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.