He was on his way back to England after a visit to America, he recalled for reporters on Thursday.

"But out of the window on the right side of the airplane you could see the twin towers," he said. "You could see one plume of smoke. Then you could see two, shortly thereafter. And I said, 'That's just an optical illusion.'"

Drinkers are celebrating a much-loved part of Britain's heritage this week at the national beer festival, despite pubs closing at the rate of 25 a week and prices at the bar surging.

The Great British Beer Festival temporarily transforms the Earls Court exhibition center in west London into the biggest pub in the world, serving an expected 65,000 punters over five days until Saturday.

Doing skateboard tricks on a theater stage is usually deeply frowned upon. But at the Union Square Theatre these days, they're not only encouraged — they're a big part of the show.

During a recent rehearsal of the touring show "Traces," the seven ensemble members practiced flips, jumps and dance moves on and off their boards as they fine-tuned a section of their 90-minute, cardio-intensive circus.

A New York-based architectural firm was on Tuesday awarded a prestigious contract from billionaire Roman Abramovich to design an island in Russia's imperial capital Saint Petersburg.

The WORKac firm was announced the winner in a private tender organized by the Millhouse investment firm of the billionaire businessman that oversees the design of the New Holland project.

Irish rock band U2 has closed out what was described as "the most successful concert tour of all time" over five continents and two years, according to concert promoter Live Nation.

Liz Morentin, a Live Nation spokeswoman, told Agence France Presse Tuesday the final numbers are not yet in from the U2 "360 degree Tour" but said "it surpassed $700 million, beating the Rolling Stones record" from a 2005-2007 tour.

One of the earliest films made by British master director Alfred Hitchcock has been found in New Zealand, researchers said Wednesday.

The New Zealand Film Archive said the first three reels of the six-reel feature "The White Shadow" were found in a cache of ageing nitrate prints given to the archive in the 1990s.

Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith will be getting Oscars.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the three will be honored with Oscar statuettes at the Governors Awards in November. The academy's Board of Governors voted Tuesday to recognize the entertainment industry veterans.

A five-seat box at the world-famous Royal Albert Hall in London is up for sale for a princely £550,000 (630,000 euros, $900,000), the estate agents said Tuesday.

Harrods Estates described the box, which it is claimed contains the best seats in the concert hall, as the "ultimate gift" for a loved one.

The legendary Playboy bunny costume can be pretty snug, but it puts a wearer in the mood.

The actresses who star as those alluring waitresses in NBC's "The Playboy Club" say dressing for the role made it easier to play.

Jennifer Lopez told Vanity Fair magazine that she still believes in love despite her split from her husband of seven years, Marc Anthony.

The singer and actress gave the publication her first interview since announcing her divorce earlier this month.