Employees of the Berlin police swim in full uniform at a open water swimming pool in Berlin June 20, 2008, during a police union Gewerkschaft der Politizi (GdP) protest, themed "the water is up to our neck", to demand better salaries
Employees of the Berlin police swim in full uniform at a open water swimming pool in Berlin June 20, 2008, during a police union Gewerkschaft der Politizi (GdP) protest, themed "the water is up to our neck", to demand better salaries
Employees of the Berlin police swim in full uniform at a open water swimming pool in Berlin June 20, 2008, during a police union Gewerkschaft der Politizi (GdP) protest, themed "the water is up to our neck", to demand better salaries
Employees of the Berlin police swim in full uniform at a open water swimming pool in Berlin June 20, 2008, during a police union Gewerkschaft der Politizi (GdP) protest, themed "the water is up to our neck", to demand better salaries
Berlin policemen protest by swimming in full uniform
Phoenix finds water on red planet
Martian ice melts in this combination photo taken by NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander's Surface Stereo Imager on June 15 and 18, 2008, in this handout image released by NASA June 20, 2008. A trench dug by Phoenix with its robotic arm at the arctic circle of Mars shows dice-sized chunks of white material that are seen to melt away over the course of several days. The presence of water on Mars is crucial because it is a key to the question of whether life, even in the form of mere microbes, exists or has ever existed on Mars. On Earth, water is a necessary ingredient for life.
A NASA handout image shows the Robotic Arm on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander with a sample of martian soil. A NASA statement said that analysis of images from NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander has scientists increasingly convinced of ice near the Red Planet's North Pole.
This June 16, 2008 NASA handout image shows one trench informally called "Dodo-Goldilocks" after two digs by Phoenix's Robotic Arm. Scientists in charge of the Phoenix Mars lander are more convinced there is ice near the Martian North pole as they review new images from the Red Planet.
This June 16, 2008 NASA handout image shows one trench informally called "Dodo-Goldilocks" after two digs by Phoenix's Robotic Arm. Scientists in charge of the Phoenix Mars lander are more convinced there is ice near the Martian North pole as they review new images from the Red Planet.
East to meet West for Armani's men next summer
Models display creations as part of Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer 2009 men's collection in Milan
East will meet West next summer for Giorgio Armani male fans with Asian inspired long shirts, shantung trousers and fitted jackets, the Italian designer suggested in his menswear show, which won him loud applause.
Models wear outfits as part of the men's spring/summer 2009 fashion collection at Milan Fashion Week. AP Armani, the last of the big names to present his ideas at Milan's spring/summer 2009 men's shows on Tuesday, chose to put bindies on the foreheads of some of his models, dressed in flowing bright pink shirts and dark shorts for a beachy look.
The designer, one of Milan's long established names, turned out flowing designs with perfect tailoring that were easy to wear and relaxed. Scarves sat on shoulders instead of hanging down the neck, and they also replaced belts on trousers.
Models display creations as part of D&G Spring/Summer 2009 men's collection during Milan Fashion Week June 24, 2008
He favored Prince of Wales check and chalk stripes for jackets, short and slim and worn over a double-breasted waistcoat, with a loose untucked or Asian-style shirt.
Trousers were light, varying from Indian, Balinese and Malaysian styles, sometimes with printed patterns, and generous in dimensions. Some were drawstring, others were tighter below the knee. Shorts were below the knee.
"(The clothes) are relative to a type of climate, a well-being," Armani tells reporters backstage, saying there is "a pinch of personal interest" in the collection as he is about to open stores in India.
The main colors of the collection included an almost-grey green, light grey, putty and violet.
Shoes came in a choice of snakeskin, crocodile and woven hopsack, or laced, again in an Asian style. Guests included actors Clive Owen and Adrien Brody as well as Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana.
"I loved the colors, (they were) really amazing," Owen says after the show, which ended with Armani walking to greet the line of obeisantly cross-legged male and female models facing him.
Italian designer Roberto Cavalli offered men's tops and trousers decorated with prints of pictures he had taken of an African sunset and overlapping palm leaves at his spring/summer 2009 show on Sunday.
A model displays a creation as part of Roberto Cavalli Spring/Summer 2009 men's collection during Milan Fashion Week June 22, 2008
Images of floral bouquets and animal prints also featured in his menswear collection, entitled Bohemian Safari, on the second day of Milan fashion week.
Cavalli, who also sent out female models in long, floating dresses - some with gold chain detailing hugging the frame - says he envisioned an extravagant man, an explorer, "a hippie and a nomad, who wears memories from a safari on himself".
"(Next summer's) man is very free," he says.
Colors were vivid with doses of white, dark brown, red, geranium and intense blue. Silhouettes were skinny on top and large at the bottom or the contrary. Kaftans and shirts with airy sleeves were paired with pyjama trousers or skinny printed jeans.
Cavalli catered for all temperatures, going from jumpers and thickish, holey scarves to tight colorful swimwear. Leather belts were tied around jackets, some with no collars.
Bottega Veneta presented what it called an "extended meditation" on the jacket, starting with an unlined, light, pyjama-inspired jacket in printed cotton or cashmere and moving on to "double" jackets of two monochromatic layers.
A model displays a creation as part of Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2009 men's collection during Milan Fashion Week June 22, 2008
Designer Tomas Maier also sent out models in blazers in knit and jersey, finishing with a white shantung silk dinner jacket.
"Thinking about menswear clothes, for me the most important item is the jacket," Maier says after the show. "I also like the fact that the man is more covered. There is a lot of nudity out there and I think it is a little bit too much."
Trousers were loose, made from crisp cotton or double-pleated gabardine, and sometimes cuffed. Navy blue and cobalt dominated, with neutrals glimpsed on the lapel facings of jackets. Patterns were stripes and Vichy checks.
At D&G, the less formal line of designers Stefano Gabbana and Domenico Dolce, the look was nautical, inspired by the French Riviera.
The duo stuck to white and navy blue, with small dabs of red appearing in patterned trousers, bow-ties and on linings. The more casual look suggested jersey vests, slim cut trousers and Bermuda shorts with nautical-themed prints while cotton knitwear was accessorized with a silk neck scarf.
More than 40 designers held catwalk shows at Milan fashion week, which ended on Tuesday.
Rapper Kanye West wins 2 prizes at BET Awards
Rap star Kanye West picked up two prizes on Tuesday at the BET Awards, an event honoring black recording artists, actors and athletes, while Alicia Keys was one of several stars who used the occasion to salute presidential contender Barack Obama.
Kanye West accepts the award for best male hop hop artist at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008.
The only other multiple winner was the hip-hop duo UGK, consisting of Bernard "Bun B" Freeman and the recently deceased Chad "Pimp C" Butler. In all 15 awards were handed out during a three-hour show mixing the heroes of contemporary hip-hop and old-school R&B.
Keys, flying high with a successful worldwide tour, a chart-topping album and an upcoming film, shared the stage with three leading female ensemble acts from the 1990s -- TLC, En Vogue and Sisters with Voices -- for a medley of R&B music.
She went on to win the prize for best female R&B artist, and offered a heartfelt endorsement to Obama, who would be the first African-American elected to the nation's highest office.
Alicia Keys acknowledges applause after performing at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
"Together we can do anything -- Obama, y'all!" she enthused.
Teen sensation Chris Brown, who topped the U.S. singles chart last year with "Kiss Kiss," was named best male R&B performer.
AL GREEN IS SORRY
The evening's most spine-tingling moment came when veteran soul crooner Al Green, recipient of a lifetime achievement award, got the audience in the Shrine Auditorium on its feet singing, and dancing, along with his classic 1970s hit "Let's Stay Together."
Backstage a short time later, Green apologized.
"I'm sorry I didn't sing as well as I should because I got scared. I was nervous," he said. Green, 62, earlier this month hit the top 10 of the U.S. pop chart with his first album in three years, "Lay It Down."
West, whose third album, "Graduation," was one of 2007's top-selling releases and spawned three Grammys, was named best male hip-hop artist and shared a second BET prize with R&B singer T-Pain for their collaboration on the hit single "Good Life."
"This man, T-Pain, is a genius," West declared onstage of his co-winner, resplendent in metallic silver-and-black patterned top hat and tails and oversized shades. "I'm one of the kings in this game right now, so my opinion counts."
T-Pain, a southern soul singer with a best-selling ringtone adapted from his hit single "Buy U a Drank," was visibly humbled and euphoric.
"I appreciate it everybody," he said. "Three years ago, I couldn't even get a ticket to get up in here." T-Pain entered the show with the most nominations, five in all.
UGK, whose album "Underground Kingz" topped the charts last summer, won the BET prize as best group and shared the award for best video with the hip-hop duo Outkast for their work together on "International Player's Anthem (I Choose You)."
Hip Hop artist Nelly (R) performs "Party People" with Fergie at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
It was a bittersweet triumph for UGK, coming just six months after Butler, 33, was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel. Two days later UGK received a Grammy nomination for the song "International Player's Anthem." Butler had previously served nearly four years in prison for aggravated assault.
Freeman, aka Bun B, now pursuing a solo career, said he hoped "to keep Pimp C's legacy alive" with a new UGK album due out this fall.
The prize for best female hip-hop performer went to Missy Elliott, who has not had an album out since 2005 but has a new CD set for release in August.
The Dream was named best new artist, and the viewers' choice award, determined by an online vote of fans, went to Lil Wayne and his single "Lollipop," featuring Static.
The best and actress awards went to Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, neither of whom attended.
The eighth annual BET Awards was presented by the BET (Black Entertainment Television) Networks cable group, which carried the three-hour show live.
Hip Hop artist Ne-Yo performs "Closer"at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Keyshia Cole (L) and Lil' Kim sing "Let It Go" at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Kanye West accepts the award for best male hip hop artist as an unidentified man rubs his shoulders at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008.
Alicia Keys accepts the award for best female R&B artist at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008. 
Hip hop artist Keyshia Cole arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Singer Rihanna arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Usher performs "Love in This Club" at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Scooter (L) and actor/singer Chris Brown arrive at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Actress Gabrielle Union arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
French President Sarkozy visits Israel
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (C) speak with Israel's President Shimon Peres as they arrive at Tel Aviv airport, June 22, 2008. Sarkozy is in Israel for a three-day official visit
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C), his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (L) and Israel's President Shimon Peres attend a welcome ceremony at Tel Aviv airport June 22, 2008
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, wife of France's President Nicolas Sarzoky, chats with Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a welcoming ceremony in Ben Gurion airport June 22, 2008
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (C) stands between her husband France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a welcoming ceremony in Ben Gurion airport June 22, 2008
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C), his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (L) and Israel's President Shimon Peres attend a welcome ceremony at Tel Aviv airport June 22, 2008
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (L) stands next to her husband France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during a welcoming ceremony in Ben Gurion airport June 22, 2008.
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrive at Ben Gurion airport June 22, 2008.
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy (C) arrive for a meeting with Israel's President Shimon Peres (R) in Jerusalem June 22, 2008
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (R) meets his Israeli counterpart Shimon Peres in Jerusalem June 22, 2008
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (L) shakes hands with Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during their meeting in Jerusalem June 22, 2008.
Celebs at L.A.2008 BET Awards
Hip hop artist Keyshia Cole arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Singer Rihanna arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Usher performs "Love in This Club" at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Scooter (L) and actor/singer Chris Brown arrive at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008
Actress Gabrielle Union arrives at the 2008 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 24, 2008