I resolved this by removing and then installing the ubuntu-desktop
package:
1: Go to Synaptic Package Manager
2: Search for ubuntu-desktop
3: Mark the package for removal.
4: Click Apply.
5: Once completed, mark the ubuntu-desktop package for installation.
6: Click Apply.
7: Once completed, close Synaptic and restart Ubuntu.
Software Center, Movie Player, Pidgin, Empathy etc all now work.
NOTE: Marking the ubuntu-desktop package for re-installation DOES NOT
WORK!
** Changed in: software-center (Ubuntu)
Status: New => Fix Released
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software-center crashed with SIGILL (karmic x86)
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/472520
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