Rostropovich laid to rest

The funeral of celebrated Russian cellist and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich is held in grand style in Moscow

James Doohan's Ashes Are Beamed Up Into Space

Late Star Trek star James Doohan's remains were successfully blasted into space Saturday morning. The ashes of the actor, who played Montgomery "Scotty" Scott in the TV show and its spin-off movies, were flown up in a space rocket from Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Following the flight, the remains of the star, who inspired the phrase "Beam me up, Scotty", parachuted down to Earth. The actor's widow, Wende Doohan, was at the launch. She says, "For the amount of emotion that was involved, it was amazing how technical and smoothly everything ran."

Doohan died aged 85 in 2005. His ashes were accompanied by the remains of former astronaut Gordon Cooper and those of 200 other people. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's remains were fired into space in 1997, six years after his death.

The ashes of Star Trek actor James Doohan have been launched into space from a site in New Mexico

Felipe and Letizia of Spain welcome baby girl

Just hours after her birth Spain's Crown Prince Felipe announces the arrival of his second daughter, Sofia, in Madrid

Foreign dignitaries attend Yeltsin's funeral in Moscow

While Prince Andrew and George Bush Sr wait to pay their respects, former British Prime Minister John Major comforts Boris Yeltsin's widow

President Bush boogies on down

US President George W Bush dances with members of the Kankouran West African Dance Company during Malaria Awareness Day at the White House

Friends gather for leaving do as Harry prepares for warSEND TO A FRIEND30 APRIL 2007

With the final preparations being made for Prince Harry's imminent departure to serve in Iraq, the 22-year-old royal was making the most of his remaining time in Britain. Joined by close friends and family, Harry enjoyed a royal send-off at a London nightclub on Friday night, partying with his nearest and dearest into the early hours.

Guests, including his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, Prince William, his cousin Peter Phillips and Peter's pretty Canadian girlfriend Autumn Kelly, danced the night away in Harry's honour. At one pòint during the proceedings the young Prince gave a emotional farewell speech admitting he's "a nervous wreck" and saying: "I've waited a long time and just want to get out there and serve my country. I'm prepared to do anything they throw at me, whether it's to serve on the front line or carry out a desk job in Basra."

Despite a last-minute review of the situation, Army chiefs are still saying that the third-in-line to the throne will go to the troubled region. Harry's six-month tour of duty will make him the first royal to see active service since his uncle Prince Andrew served as a helicopter pilot in the Falklands conflict.

10,000 extra tickets for Diana concert sell out in minutes

Tickets for the tribute concert being organised by Princes William and Harry in honour of their late mother Princess Diana are proving so popular that a further 10,000 were snapped up within minutes of going on sale on Friday morning. The stampede for seats at the special event is a repeat of December's response, when over 22,000 tickets sold out in 17 minutes.

The five-hour musical spectacular, which takes place on July 1 - the date when Diana would have marked her 46th birthday - features many of the late Princess of Wales' favourite bands, chosen by Willam and Harry.

Rod Stewart, Smile chanteuse Lily Allen and Grammy-winning rapper Kayne West are among eight new acts recently added to the line-up for the event, which marks the tenth anniversary of Diana's death. "We wanted to have this big concert, full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted," William says.

Diana favourites Duran Duran will also be taking to the stage in front of the 62,000-strong crowd, along with her old pal Elton John. Andrew Lloyd Webber is putting together a medley of songs from his musicals and members of the English National Ballet will also perform.

William and Harry plan to appear on stage at the bash, although senior royals such as the Queen, Prince Charles and Camilla will not attend. Instead, they will take part in a London memorial service on August 31, the date of Diana's death. "The concert is really for the younger generation to enjoy," emphasised a spokesperson for Prince Charles.

Albert remembers iconic mother Grace on Japan visit

She was the Hollywood princess, who became a real life royal, capturing the imagination and admiration of millions. And now 25 years after her death Monaco's American-born Princess Grace is the subject of a Japanese exhibition paying tribute to her extraordinary life.

Her son Prince Albert received a poignant reminder of his legendary mother when he viewed memorabilia belonging to her on an official visit to the Asian country. On display at Tokyo's Mitsukoshi department store are many of the iconic royal's personal items, ranging from letters through to her fabulous dresses and accessories.

Highlights of the exhibit, which has been touring the land of the rising sun since December, include a collection of pressed flowers owned by the princess and the original Hermes "Kelly" bag, which became popular around the globe when it was favoured by Grace.

During his three-day trip the Monegasque royal also lunched with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, to celebrate the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between their two countries at the end of last year.

Former Russian president Boris Yeltsin dies aged 76

The man who helped usher in democracy in Russia has died aged 76. A Kremlin spokesman confirmed on Monday that Boris Yeltsin, who became the country's first elected president in 1991, had passed away - thought to be due to a heart trouble.

He leaves behind his wife Naina Yeltsina and their two daughters Elena and Tatiana. The couple, who met while Boris was still an engineering student, also have several grandchildren.

Boris, who was born to a peasant family in the Ural mountains in 1931, announced his retirement on the last day of the 20th century, handing over power to Vladimir Putin. Since then he has largely remained out of the public eye.

During the latter part of his nine-year leadership the Russian premier's health started to deteriorate and he underwent a quintuple heart bypass in 1996. This was followed by a bout of pneumonia, however, from which he never really recovered. In 2005 he had a hip operation after breaking his leg while vacationing in Sardinia.

Denmark's newborn princess makes her public debut

She's only been in the world a couple of days, but Prince Frederik and Princess Mary's newborn daughter has already made her first public appearance, after being presented to a clearly adoring public. Nestled in the arms of her mum the tiny newcomer, who arrived two weeks early on Saturday afternoon, was greeted by 2,000 wellwishers gathered outside the hospital where she was born.

Her Australian-born mum, elegant as always in a grey tunic, emerged from Copenhagen University Hospital on Monday with her husband at her side. And the pair proudly showed off the dark-haired infant, who was wrapped in the same crochet shawl as that used for her big brother Christian when he left the facility in October 2005.

When asked about the birth, the 35-year-old said, "I think it went really well," adding: "It was a little easier this time, although you shouldn't use a word like easy for a delivery."

In line with tradition the name of the newest addition ot the Danish royal family is not expected to be revealed until her christening - which is expected to take place in July. And Mary said she and Frederik have been referring to their daughter as "lille pige", which is Danish for "little girl". Her brother, 18-month-old Christian, apparently met his new sibling for the first time on Sunday morning. "He was enthusiastic to see her and showed a bit of brotherly love," Mary said.

The new arrival - who is third in line to the Danish crown - may not be the last addition to Frederik and Mary's family. Asked whether she and her husband would like more children, Mary hinted that they might be considering more.

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Some of the information/pictures have been taken from Hello Magazine

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