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Average "Idol" voter casts 38 ballots by text

LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) - As "American Idol" reaches its climax next week, new data reveals that the average viewer weighing in on their favorite contestant voted 38 times via text message last month and that women vote far more than men.

NYC campaign shows dark side of counterfeit goods

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City, long a place where counterfeit watches and fake designer handbags are sold on street corners, is unveiling an ad campaign warning consumers of the human cost of indulging in knockoffs.

Travel Postcard: 48 hours for shoppers in Phnom Penh

PHNOM PENH (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore the Phnom Penh? The Cambodian capital's designer boutiques, colorful markets, art galleries and restaurants make for a satisfying shopping weekend.

Lying not bad when it comes to dating, survey shows

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - Honesty is not the best policy, especially when it comes to bad dates or the dreaded "do I look fat in this" question from a partner, a new survey showed on Friday.

Branson joins London marathon as runner and sponsor

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - British billionaire Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group of businesses spans music to space travel, is preparing to run his first marathon in 2010 to give a boost to London's biggest fundraising race.

"Disco queen" Donna Summer is back after 17 years

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donna Summer was dubbed "The Queen of Disco" after a series of hit singles in the 1970s: now the singer pokes fun at that title in a new song included in her first studio album in 17 years.

California wine visionary Robert Mondavi dead at 94

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Winemaker Robert Mondavi, the man most credited for turning California into a world-class wine producer and millions of Americans into wine lovers, died on Friday at his Napa Valley home at the age of 94.

Ellen DeGeneres to wed after gay marriage ruling

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres plans to marry her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi, after a California court ruling allowing gay marriage.

Austria's singing monks hail miracle debut album

HEILIGENKREUZ, Austria (Reuters) - Monks in Austria hailed a "miracle" on Friday as they released an album of Gregorian chants under the same record label as Amy Winehouse and Eminem.

Punch and Judy's seaside days are numbered

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Punch and Judy are vanishing from British beaches -- but 70-year-old puppeteer Bryan Clarke is convinced the roustabout shows are no dying art.