AOL is giving its AIM instant-messaging software a new look and new features in hopes of stanching an ongoing exodus of users who have turned to texting and other online messaging services.

The new AIM software marks the service's biggest revamp in several years and comes as AOL tries to revitalize its business. A Web pioneer back in the '90s, AOL has been struggling as its dial-up Internet service declines and its online content and advertising business isn't generating enough revenue yet to make up for it.

Ricky Gervais is returning as host of the Golden Globes.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced through Twitter on Wednesday that Gervais will take his third turn as Globes host in January.

Amy Winehouse had written all the songs that were to appear on her third album. She even picked out song titles.

But music producer Salaam Remi said the soul singer, who died over the summer, was not rushing to release that new material, instead planning to drop a jazz album first with a "supergroup" including ?uestlove of the Roots.

Google unveiled its much-anticipated digital music store Wednesday, opening a new front in its battle with Apple to provide services over mobile devices.

For the first time, Google Inc. will sell songs on the Android Market, its online store for apps, movies and books. The service is available over the next few days to customers in the U.S., but it aims to roll it out eventually to some 200 million Android users globally.

Germany, Britain and France are pressing for a U.N. resolution that would strongly condemn Syria's human rights violations and call for an immediate halt to all violence in the country.

The three European countries decided to move ahead with the General Assembly resolution after the Arab League confirmed its suspension of Syria Wednesday and gave Bashar Assad's government three days to halt the violence against civilians and accept an observer mission or face economic sanctions.

Karl Slover, one of the last surviving actors who played Munchkins in the 1939 classic film, "The Wizard of Oz," has died. He was 93.

The 4-foot-5 Slover died of cardiopulmonary arrest Tuesday afternoon in a central Georgia hospital, said Laurens County Deputy Coroner Nathan Stanley. According to friends, as recently as last weekend, Slover appeared at events in the suburban Chicago area.

Like so many New Yorkers making the move from Manhattan to Queens, the Theatre Development Fund was after one thing: closet space.

That's a serious concern when your wardrobe includes 75,000 outfits and accessories. You can't just call up U-Haul.

Former Olympic 400-meter champion Michael Johnson doubts Usain Bolt will be able to win four gold medals at the London Games.

Bolt, who won the Athlete of the Year award on Saturday, said he would like to add the 1,600-meter relay to his repertoire for next year's Olympics. Bolt won the 100, 200 and 400 relay golds at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Britain's Defense Secretary Philip Hammond is ruling nothing out to protect London during the 2012 Olympics, including the possible use of surface-to-air missiles.

Hammond — responding to a question from his predecessor Liam Fox, who resigned as defense secretary last month — told Parliament Monday that if the military recommends it, "appropriate ground-to-air defense" could be in place.

Rap mogul Diddy and the Rev. Al Sharpton will speak at late rapper Heavy D's funeral on Friday, and BET Networks plans a tribute for him at the Soul Train awards.

Diddy said in a statement that he was "heartbroken by the passing of my dear friend."