Apple Replaces Google As World’s Most Valuable Brand – Apple is on a roll. Not content with becoming the biggest tech company in the world, the company has also ended Google’s four year reign as the world’s most valuable brand, according to a new study of global branding. And that’s not the only upset at the top of the chart. [techland]

Mr And Mrs Schwarzenegger Separate – Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, have separated, with Shriver moving out of their Brentwood mansion while the two determine the next step in their 25-year marriage. Shriver has been residing apart from the actor-turned-politician for the last few weeks. The former first couple confirmed the separation in a joint statement. [latimes]

Belgian Cyclist Dies During Giro d’Italia – Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died after striking his head in a crash that catapulted him across the road during yesterday’s third stage of the Giro d’Italia. Weylandt fell during a downhill portion, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the end of the 173-kilometer stage between Reggio nell’Emilia and Rapallo. [bloomberg]

Apparently There WAS A Deal Between Pakistan and US – The US and Pakistan struck a secret deal almost a decade ago permitting a US operation against Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil similar to last week’s raid that killed the al-Qaida leader. The deal was struck between the military leader General Pervez Musharraf and President George Bush after Bin Laden escaped US forces in the mountains of Tora Bora in late 2001. [guardian]

Philip Seymour Hoffman To Star In Scientology Movie – The Weinstein Company has won a quiet but fevered bidding battle for worldwide distribution rights to the untitled next film by Paul Thomas Anderson. The film begins production June 13, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix so far set to star. Megan Ellison is financing. It is Anderson’s first trip behind the camera since There Will Be Blood. [deadline]

Hindu Swimsuit Protests – The latest goddess-inspired collection from a whale-loving Byron Bay swimsuit designer has sparked outrage in India. Demonstrators in Amritsar burned the Australian flag and waved placards on Sunday in protest at a skimpy swimsuit print depicting the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, which was shown at Australian Fashion Week. [smh]

Microsoft Closes In On Deal To Buy Skype – Microsoft Corp. is close to a deal to buy Internet phone company Skype Technologies SA for between $7 billion and $8 billion—the most aggressive move yet by Microsoft to play in the increasingly-converged worlds of communication, information and entertainment. [wallstreetjournal]

Full-Face Transplant Patient Debuts New Face – t’s tough to image a sweeter reaction: When Dallas Wiens showed his four-year-old daughter his new face, she told him, “Daddy, you’re so handsome.” The nation’s first full face transplant debuted that handsome new face to the world today, appearing at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in his first public appearance since the 15-hour procedure in March. [newser]

Libya Refugee Ship Sinks With 600 On Board – An overcrowded ship carrying up to 600 people trying to flee Libya sank just outside the port of Tripoli, the U.N. refugee agency said Monday, citing witness accounts. Aid officials were still trying to confirm the fate of those people after the vessel broke apart Friday in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, UNHCR spokeswoman Laura Boldrini said. [msnbc]

Army To Clean Up Naples Rubbish – The Italian army has been ordered to clear tonnes of uncollected garbage from the rubbish-strewn streets of Naples just one week before local elections in the country’s third-largest city. Nearly 200 soldiers will moonlight as garbage men to remove more than 4,000 tonnes of uncollected garbage, starting with hospitals and schools. [reuters]

Samoa Plans To Jump Time Zomes – Samoa looks set to try to change its time zone and move the country’s clocks forward by a day to be in line with Australia and New Zealand. Two years ago, the government switched the side of the road on which Samoans drive and this year it reportedly plans to change the side of the dateline the country is on. Samoan prime minister Tuila’epa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi is quoted in online media as saying he wants to make it easier for Samoa to do business with Australasia. [abc]

Brigitte Bardot Playboy Kills Himself – German-born photographer Gunter Sachs, best known for his playboy lifestyle and brief marriage to French actress Brigitte Bardot, has committed suicide. He was 78. In a statement released by his family at his request, Sachs said he chose to end his life after concluding that he was suffering from an incurable degenerative disease affecting his memory and ability to communicate. [associated]

Pierre Cardin For Sale At EUR1 Billion – French fashion legend Pierre Cardin is ready to sell his group and will seek one billion euros (1.46 billion U.S. dollars). “I want to sell it now,” Cardin, 88, told the Wall Street Journal. “I know I won’t be here in a few years and the business needs to continue.” Cardin, who has no heirs, said he wants to stay on as creative director. [luxuo]

Chloé Announce New Creative Director – The Paris fashion label Chloé, whose previous designers have included Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney, has announced that Clare Waight Keller, who was responsible for updating the Pringle of Scotland brand, will take over as creative director. [guardian]

Whitney Houston Enters Rehab For Drugs And Booze – Whitney Houston is seeking help. The singer, 47, who has struggled with substance abuse in the past, has recently entered an out-patient treatment program. “Whitney Houston is currently in an out-patient rehab program for drug and alcohol treatment,” says her rep. “Whitney voluntarily entered the program to support her long-standing recovery process.” [people]

Donald Trump: Racist? – A former contestant on The Apprentice, whose harsh treatment by Donald Trump drew accusations of racism in 2004, suggested to TPM on Monday that the billionaire Republican businessman’s attacks on President Obama’s academic record are reflective of Trump’s hang-ups over race. [tpmdc]

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