State-run news agency reports 20 people trapped after coal mine floods in central China.

A look at some changes in Wash. election law

Washington state's election system came under the microscope when the 2004 governor's race led to two recounts, a hand count and a court challenge. Election reform quickly jumped to the forefront and several changes have been made over the past four years:

Boeing machinists strike: what they say

Here are some comments on the Machinists union strike against Boeing Co. The strike affects about 27,000 workers in Washington, Oregon and Kansas:

Boeing machinists' strike is on after talks fail

Despite a 48-hour contract extension, negotiations between Boeing Co. and Machinists union officials have failed and the union has declared: "The strike is on!"

Boeing machinists' strike is on after talks fail

Despite a 48-hour contract extension, negotiations between Boeing Co. and Machinists union officials have failed and the union declared: "The strike is on!"

British Columbia: Leaky condos to leaky schools

First there were leaky condominiums littering the Vancouver skyline with blue tarpaulins, each a sign of expensive renovations. More than a thousand buildings have been affected and costs are running into billions of dollars.

Colorado rallies past Eastern Washington 31-24

The University of Colorado Buffaloes might want to stick to playing the big boys. The smaller schools give them way too much trouble.

Colorado rallies past Eastern Washington 31-24

The University of Colorado Buffaloes might want to stick to playing the big boys.

Holmgren optimistic approaching final season

In kicking off his final season as Seahawks coach, Mike Holmgren is not looking for a do-over.

Idaho posts 42-27 win over Idaho St.

Idaho quarterback Nathan Enderle connected with Maurice Shaw for a 77-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game and the Vandals went on to post a 42-27 victory over Idaho State to end an 11-game losing streak on Saturday.

15 killed in Afghan suicide blast, shoot-out

A suicide bomb attack by a fake beggar inside a regional prosecutor's office and a shoot-out between police and Taliban militants killed 15 people in Afghanistan on Saturday, officials said.

2nd trial starting for infamous Texas KFC murders

When Darnell Hartsfield saw the inside of a Texas prison cell for the first time in 1984, it was for an aggravated robbery he committed the previous year. But prosecutors contend the Tyler man was involved in a far more heinous crime just three days before his arrest for that September 1983 robbery.

40 years after capture, USS Pueblo crew reunites

Ralph McClintock expected only a three-week mission when he boarded the USS Pueblo in January 1968.

45-nation group OKs landmark US-India nuke deal

The U.S. gained key international backing Saturday for a bitterly contested plan to sell peaceful nuclear technology to India - a South Asia powerhouse that has tested atomic weapons but has refused to sign global nonproliferation accords.

4th Pa. teen charged in killing of immigrant

Authorities in Pennsylvania say a fourth teenager has been charged in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant.

7 years on, Sept. 11 is so far and yet so close

It is not a tidy anniversary this year. Seven years between that awful day and this Sept. 11, the terrorist attacks linger somewhere between the immediate, a conscious part of our days, and the comfortable remove of the distant past. No longer yesterday and not yet history.

Bhutto widower elected Pakistani president

Benazir Bhutto's widower swept Pakistan's presidential election on Saturday, offering hope for stability to a nuclear-armed country feeling intense U.S. pressure to crack down on Islamic militants.

Blast, clashes in northwest Pakistan kills 54

A pickup truck packed with explosives blew up a police security checkpoint in northwestern Pakistan Saturday, killing at least 30 people and injuring dozens more, the day after a foiled militant kidnap attempt led to another 24 deaths in the volatile region.

Catholics assert themselves in Hanoi land dispute

At a vacant lot in downtown Hanoi, Catholics have gathered to worship the Virgin Mary - and pressure the communist authorities.

Challenges that Pakistan's new president will face

The following are some of the major challenges facing Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was elected Pakistan's president by lawmakers Saturday.

Candidates weigh in on stabilizing Fannie, Freddie

The historic takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which could come as soon as Sunday, moved to the forefront of the presidential campaign Saturday as candidates and congressional leaders seized on the enormous implications for taxpayers and the economy.

Fannie, Freddie blind to the bubble

Mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - despite their robust cadre of economists and mortgage experts - failed to heed warnings that the most dramatic housing bubble in U.S. history would burst.

FDA posts list of potential problem drugs

The government on Friday began posting a list of prescription drugs under investigation for potential safety problems in an effort to better inform doctors and patients.

Report: Nomura considering stake in Lehman

Nomura Holdings Inc., Japan's largest brokerage group, is considering buying a stake in U.S. investment bank Lehman Brothers, a Japanese newspaper reported Saturday.

Spacecraft flies by remote asteroid, camera stops

The European deep space probe Rosetta successfully completed a flyby of an asteroid millions of miles from earth, but its high resolution camera stopped shortly before the closest pass, space officials said Saturday.

Talks fail; machinists strike Boeing Co.

Striking Boeing Co. production workers hunkered down Saturday for what could be along, bruising battle with costly repercussions for both sides.

Oil prices drop as jobs data add to demand worries

Oil prices sank to a five-month low Friday as a jump in the U.S. unemployment rate signaled to traders that Americans might keep paring back their energy use to save money.

Altria calls reports on UST 'pure speculation'

Altria Group, which owns Marlboro-maker Philip Morris USA, said Friday that a report of its impending acquisition of UST was "pure speculation." Analysts said the deal makes perfect sense.

As unemployment spikes, companies weigh options

U.S. companies have cut more than 550,000 jobs so far in 2008 as they try to preserve their profits in a slumping economy, but analysts say such downsizing must be done carefully for corporations to have any long-term benefits.

Assurant signs warranty accord with GE unit

Specialty insurer Assurant Inc. has agreed to acquire the warranty management business of General Electric Co.'s appliance and consumer electronics division.

Analysis: Hire me, fire GOP is Obama's pitch

The challenge for Barack Obama is to make himself acceptable enough to disgruntled voters eager to toss Republicans from the White House if they see a comfortable, competent alternative.

Bush: Congress should allow more offshore drilling

President Bush says if Congress doesn't permit offshore drilling to increase U.S. oil supplies and possibly ease gasoline prices, lawmakers should not expect voters to support them in November.

Cheney says Russia's actions an 'affront'

Vice President Dick Cheney says Russia's actions in the conflict with Georgia are an "affront to civilized standards."

Clinton limits Palin criticism while campaigning

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton marched for labor and stumped with Democrats on Saturday, but sidestepped questions about the woman who has taken her place as the nation's most-talked-about female leader.

Democrats post big gains in voter registration

Five days a week, Linda Graham trolls tattered neighborhoods of this once thriving steel city outside Pittsburgh for unregistered voters she can sign up as Democrats - one of thousands of unknown volunteers whose work outside the limelight has already altered the basic arithmetic of the November election.

Historic White House race enters final stretch

They embody four uniquely American stories. They offer messages of transformation with two distinct world views. They pursue one goal.

Lawmaker accused of politicizing Palin probe

A Republican lawmaker wants the Democrat overseeing an investigation into Gov. Sarah Palin's dismissal of her public safety commissioner removed because he seems intent on damaging her vice presidential candidacy.

McCain pledges to appoint Democrats to Cabinet

Republican John McCain pledged if elected president to appoint Democrats to his Cabinet, saying there's nothing partisan about tackling the nation's toughest problems.

McCain, Obama plan joint stop at Ground Zero

Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama said Saturday they will put aside partisan politics for a joint appearance at Ground Zero to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

McCain-Palin becoming Palin-McCain?

The banners, buttons and signs say McCain-Palin, but the crowds say something else.

Gene domino effect behind brain, pancreatic tumors

Scientists have mapped the cascade of genetic changes that turn normal cells in the brain and pancreas into two of the most lethal cancers. The result points to a new approach for fighting tumors and maybe even catching them sooner. Genes blamed for one person's brain tumor were different from the culprits for the next patient, making the puzzle of cancer genetics even more complicated.

FDA orders stronger warnings for 4 arthritis drugs

The Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings Thursday on four medications widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses, saying they can raise the risk of possibly fatal fungal infections.

Heart defibrillator shock can signal more trouble

A lifesaving shock from an implanted heart defibrillator provides relief that a crisis was avoided, but new research suggests it can also be a sign that more trouble is ahead.

Smoking riskier to women's hearts than men's

Women typically get heart disease much later than men, but not if they smoke, researchers said Tuesday.

Study: New way to spot breast cancer shows promise

A radioactive tracer that "lights up" cancer hiding inside dense breasts showed promise in its first big test against mammograms, revealing more tumors and giving fewer false alarms, doctors reported Wednesday.

Study: No link between measles vaccine and autism

New research further debunks any link between measles vaccine and autism, work that comes as the nation is experiencing a surge in measles cases fueled by children left unvaccinated.

Doctors say Vytorin-cancer link can't be ruled out

Results so far from three studies of the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin are not enough to prove or rule out a possible link to a higher risk of cancer, so the drug should be used with caution until more is known, editors of a leading medical journal urged Tuesday.

E. coli outbreak in Oklahoma kills 1, sickens 200

An E. coli outbreak linked to a restaurant in northeastern Oklahoma has sickened more than 200 people and killed at least one person, state health officials said Tuesday.

Modest brain test benefit seen with brisk walking

Brisk walking led to slight improvements on mental tests for older people with memory problems in what is billed as the first rigorous test of exercise on the aging brain. The results from the small Australian study were only modest. But they back up observational studies showing potential mental benefits from physical activity.

Pfizer resuming ads for Lipitor after controversy

Television ads for the world's top-selling drug, cholesterol fighter Lipitor, are back, six months after Pfizer Inc. pulled them amid charges its use of a celebrity doctor endorser who's never practiced medicine misled the public.

Appalachian St. dominates Jacksonville

Robert Welton rushed for three touchdowns and Armanti Edwards accounted for two more as Appalachian State cruised to a 56-7 win over Jacksonville.

Beck leads N.C. State past William & Mary 34-24

Backup quarterback Harrison Beck threw two touchdown passes, and North Carolina State beat William & Mary 34-24 Saturday for its first win of the season.

Big Unit scratched from start with sore shoulder

Arizona's Randy Johnson, six wins shy of 300 career victories, was scratched from Sunday's start against the Los Angeles Dodgers because of a sore left shoulder. Johnson, who turns 45 on Wednesday, will be replaced by right-hander Max Scherzer.

Bills Pro Bowl LT Peters ends holdout, joins team

Buffalo Bills Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters has ended his holdout and reported to the team.

Briscoe leads KU to 29-0 win over LaTech

Dezmon Briscoe broke six tackles to turn a short pass into a 48-yard touchdown play, and Todd Reesing threw for career-high 412 yards and three scores in No. 14 Kansas' 29-0 victory over Louisiana on Tech Saturday night.

Craddock leads Middle Tennessee past Terps 24-14

Joe Craddock passed for 256 yards and two touchdowns to lead Middle Tennessee State to a 24-14 win over Maryland on Saturday.

ECU, tropical storm threaten to slow No. 8 WVU

With West Virginia's speedy offense coming to town, Skip Holtz jokingly asked East Carolina's groundskeepers to leave the sprinklers on at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium and turn the grass field into a mud pit.

Gators try to snap losing streak against Miami

Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is too young to have witnessed much of the history of the Miami-Florida rivalry, and the teams don't play often enough for him to hear about it, either.

Ground game leads Gardner-Webb past Tusculum 31-12

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Patrick Hall and Phillip Peoples each rushed for two touchdowns to lead Gardner-Webb to a 31-12 victory over Tusculum on Saturday.

Hanna postpones Georgetown-Howard to Sunday

The first meeting between Washington, D.C., schools Georgetown and Howard was postponed Saturday because of Tropical Storm Hanna. The game has been rescheduled to Sunday.

Manager Lou Piniella juggles Cubs' slumping lineup

With the Chicago Cubs' losing streak up to six games and the batting order failing to produce, manager Lou Piniella shook up his lineup Saturday, giving center fielder Jim Edmonds and right fielder Kosuke Fukudome a day off.

Phillies-Mets postponed to Sunday by heavy rains

The remnants of Tropical Storm Hanna washed away the Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets game Saturday afternoon and left in her wake one intriguing day-night doubleheader.

Rays activate 3B Evan Longoria from 15-day DL

Evan Longoria was activated off the 15-day disabled list Saturday after the Tampa Bay slugger said he felt "almost 100 percent" following 30 swings with a regular bat.

Tampa Bay activates Longoria off DL

Evan Longoria was activated off the 15-day disabled list Saturday after the Tampa Bay slugger said he felt "almost 100 percent" following 30 swings with a regular bat.

AL home run leader Quentin breaks wrist

American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken right wrist stemming from his own temper, and the Chicago White Sox left fielder will have surgery Monday that could sideline him for the rest of the season.

Earthquake rattles Bay area during Giants' game

A light earthquake has rattled the San Francisco Bay area and was felt during the Giants' game with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Rangers' Kinsler having season-ending surgery

Ian Kinsler's breakout season is done.

Red Sox activate Beckett, Lowell and Casey

The Boston Red Sox got three key players back Friday, activating right-hander Josh Beckett, third baseman Mike Lowell and first baseman Sean Casey from the 15-day disabled list.

Schmidt: Mets know Phillies are better than them

In a pep talk via e-mail, Mike Schmidt reminded the Philadelphia Phillies of their big comeback to win the NL East last season and said "the Mets know you're better than they are."

Trembley to return as Orioles manager in 2009

Dave Trembley was certain he would be asked to return as manager of the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, an expectation that was fulfilled Friday.

Cavaliers sign F/C Lorenzen Wright

The Cavaliers signed center Lorenzen Wright on Friday to help offset the loss up front of forward Joe Smith.

Ewing, Olajuwon linked again, this time in Hall

Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley were enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday night, but it was inductee Dick Vitale who, as expected, stole the show.

Still a rookie, Oden joins others for orientation

He was drafted more than 14 months ago, and even then he looked too old to be a first-year player, so it's easy to forget that Greg Oden is technically a rookie.

Chalmers sent home from NBA rookie program

Heat guard Mario Chalmers was sent home Wednesday from the NBA's mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.

Chalmers, Arthur sent home from NBA rookie program

Former Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were sent home Wednesday from the NBA's mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.

LeBron James enjoying his gold

LeBron James could be excused for his poor shooting from behind the arc, and for being blown out in a game of H-O-R-S-E with a warehouse worker in a beach exhibition. James was still floating in the clouds from his Olympic experience.

Oklahoma City NBA team's nickname will be Thunder

As Oklahoma City's NBA team prepared to reveal its name and logo, the NBA's Web site showed "Thunder" as the name and the color scheme as blue, yellow and orange.

Oklahoma City's NBA team to be called Thunder

Thunder can be heard from miles away, an early warning that a storm is about to arrive. So, perhaps it's only fitting that the name of Oklahoma City's NBA team didn't sneak up on anyone.

Spurs' Ginobili undergoes surgery on injured ankle

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle.

LeBron James to be featured in new documentary

LeBron James has gone from the gold-medal stand to the silver screen.

Arrest warrant for ex-football star Ingram

An arrest warrant was issued Friday for Mark Ingram, a star on the New York Giants' 1991 Super Bowl-winning team who failed for a third time to appear in federal court for sentencing on a money laundering and bank fraud conviction.

Branch out for Seattle; Locklear unlikely to play

The return of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Deion Branch is going to wait at least a week.

CBS sues NFL Players over fantasy football

CBS has filed a federal lawsuit in Minneapolis to clarify who can use the statistics that underlie fantasy football leagues.

Giants DE Kiwanuka accuses Samuels of dirty play

New York Giants defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka said on Friday that Washington Redskins tackle Chris Samuels made a dirty play when he fell on the back of his ankle after being beaten on a pass rush on the final play of the NFL season opener.

Jaguars' Porter ruled out of opener at Tennessee

Jaguars receiver Jerry Porter was ruled out of Sunday's season opener at Tennessee because of a hamstring injury.

Newman questionable for Cowboys opener

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman is listed as questionable for the season opener at Cleveland.

Packers RB Grant sits out practice as precaution

Packers running back Ryan Grant and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila missed practice Friday as a precaution heading into Monday night's opener against Minnesota.

Ravens sign OT Anderson

After signing his three-year, $11 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday, offensive tackle Willie Anderson hopes to play in Sunday's season opener against the team that cut him.

Ready for some (more) football games that count?

A better question than "Are you ready for some football?" on the opening week of the NFL season might be how soon you're ready for some more games that count.

Bengals' WR Chad Johnson now Ocho Cinco

Call him Ocho Cinco on the field, too.

LPGA backs down on English requirement

The LPGA Tour's "mea culpa" didn't need much translation.

First round of BMW Championship a washout

The first round of the BMW Championship has been washed out by steady rain that has deluged Bellerive Country Club, adding to the string of bad luck for golf in St. Louis.

Ochoa: LPGA English-only rule 'a little drastic'

Lorena Ochoa of Mexico says a new LPGA Tour policy requiring players to be effective in English starting in 2009 is a "little drastic."

Paul Azinger fills out US Ryder Cup team

Chad Campbell lingered in the parking lot of a Dallas hospital as his wife waited inside to get the latest report on their first child, due to be born later this week.

Tiger Woods says wife Elin expecting 2nd child

Even with his golf done for the year, Tiger Woods found something to celebrate Tuesday: His wife is pregnant with their second child. Woods said on his Web site that Elin is expecting in late winter without being more specific on a due date.

Faldo adds Poulter, Casey to Ryder Cup team

Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo used his two picks Sunday on Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, a surprising decision that left Darren Clarke off the European team for the first time since 1995.

LPGA's English-only policy draws criticism

Imagine what could have happened to Angel Cabrera if he belonged to a tour that required its players to speak English.

Volatile system brings unpredictable PGA playoffs

Padraig Harrington has won the last two majors and is considered the favorite to be voted player of the year on the PGA Tour. But if he doesn't play well the next two weeks, he might not even make it to the Tour Championship.

LPGA to require English for intl players

The LPGA Tour boasts players from all over the world, and it wants all of them to be able to speak English.

Federer leans on US Open success after tough year

His Wimbledon reign and No. 1 ranking surrendered, Roger Federer has one trump card left in his competition with Rafael Nadal: four straight U.S. Open titles.

Russian league accuses NHL of breaking deal

A newly formed Russian hockey league accused the NHL of poaching two of its players when the Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms with two draft prospects last week.

Stu Barnes retires, joins Stars' coaching staff

Dallas Stars center Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL.

Avs sign center, captain Joe Sakic to new contract

Patience paid off for the Colorado Avalanche, who signed Joe Sakic to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday after he decided to play a 20th season in the NHL rather than call it a career.

Sharks sign D Vlasic to 4-year extension

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season.

Gordon on board with Islanders, leads youth charge

Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

Hull, 2 Rangers, Granato headed to hockey Hall

Brett Hull and longtime New York Rangers Brian Leetch and Mike Richter are members of the 2008 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Henton sparks Ga. Southern in win over Austin Peay

Quarterback Antonio Henton jump-started a sluggish Georgia Southern offense to lead the Eagles to a 34-20 win over Austin Peay on Saturday night.

Methodist defense plays strong to defeat Campbell

Mario Miralles kicked four field goal and the Methodist defense scored three touchdowns to beat Campbell 32-21 on Saturday.

No athletic dept at Vandy, but much success

As president of Vanderbilt University and four other prominent schools before that, Gordon Gee perceived an unhappy trend: Student-athletes were drifting away from the core of university life. They lived, ate and studied in a jock bubble.

Pastore helps Chattanooga dominate

Tony Pastore threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns to lead Chattanooga to a 47-6 victory over Cumberland on Saturday night.

Sumlar helps Bethune-Cookman beat Alabama State

Brian Sumlar ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns to help Bethune-Cookman beat Alabama State 28-7 on Saturday.

Team effort as Samford rolls past Faulkner 62-0

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Seven players scored touchdowns and Samford held Faulkner to 37 yards of offense in a 62-0 victory on Saturday.

Thompson's passing sparks Tennessee-Martin 56-0

Cade Thompson threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns to lead Tennessee-Martin to a 56-0 rout of Baker University on Saturday.

Three TD passes lead Florida Atlantic past UAB

Rusty Smith threw three touchdown passes and Charles Pierre ran for two touchdowns as Florida Atlantic defeated UAB 49-34 on Saturday afternoon.

VMI easily handles St. Francis in 49-0 rout

Tim Maypray and Zack Collins each scored two touchdowns to help Virginia Military Institute rout St. Francis (Pa.) 49-0 on Saturday.

Webb leads Presbyterian to 38-28 victory

Tim Webb threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another to lead Presbyterian to a 38-28 victory over Fayetteville State on Saturday.

Hanna washes out NASCAR at Richmond

Steady rain that began Friday night and expectations that it would continue through Saturday with Tropical Storm Hanna moving in forced NASCAR to postpone Saturday night's Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond International Raceway.

NASCAR rescinds probation against Stewart, Logano

Tony Stewart and Joey Logano will not be on probation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after all.

Private club puts wealthy drivers on fast track

Bill McMichael braked his new Ferrari F430 Scuderia into the turn, downshifting as he went into the corner. Then he punched it on the straightaway. Pedal down, engine whining an octave higher, the sleek, black car closed in on 140 mph within seconds.

Dario Franchitti headed back to IndyCar Series

Dario Franchitti will leave NASCAR and return to IndyCar in 2009 as the replacement driver for Dan Wheldon at Chip Ganassi Racing.

Busch wins again

It's Kyle Busch - again.

Phil Hill, only US-born F1 champ, dies

Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion, died Thursday of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 81.

NASCAR puts Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards on probation

NASCAR placed Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on probation Wednesday for the next six Sprint Cup Series races, the result of their on-track incident last weekend at the end of the race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Sorenson to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports

Reed Sorenson isn't waiting for Chip Ganassi Racing to figure out the Car of Tomorrow. The 22-year-old driver signed a multiyear contract to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season, where he'll join Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler.

Logano picked to replace Stewart in JGR No. 20

Joe Gibbs Racing has selected 18-year-old Joe Logano to replace Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Sprint Cup Toyota next season. Logano was introduced Monday at the team's race shop, less than two months after he made his debut in the Nationwide Series.

NASCAR hands out penalties to 7 Gibbs crew members

NASCAR's latest attempt to reel in the rule-breakers aimed at an unfamiliar target: the normally squeaky-clean Joe Gibbs Racing.

'40-Year-Old Virgin' actor faces new charges

Prosecutors have brought additional charges against Hollywood actor accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend 20 times.

'The Wrestler' wins Venice Film Fest top award

Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler" has won the top award at the Venice Film Festival.

Anita Page, silent movie star, dies at age 98

Anita Page, a beautiful blond MGM actress who appeared in the films of Lon Chaney, Joan Crawford and Buster Keaton during the transition from silent movies to talkies, has died. She was 98.

Jermaine Dupri party helps kick of MTV VMA bashes

Don't let the celebrities at a Jermaine Dupri party distract you from partying, or you might get an admonishment from the host himself.

Lindsay and Samantha rock the runway crowd

Nobody draws attention like Lindsay Lohan and gal pal Samantha Ronson.

London calling at New York Fashion Week

Designers at New York Fashion week heard London calling - from 1975.

Pitt plays dumb in Coens' 'Burn After Reading'

Brad Pitt has wanted to work with the Coen brothers for ages. Then he got wind of the birdbrain they had written for him to play.

Ron Reagan, son of late president, back on radio

Ron Reagan, the liberal son of the late President Ronald Reagan, is going back on the radio.

Stand Up to Cancer telethon takes over network TV

Three TV networks, cancer research advocates and more than 60 celebrities from music, sports, TV and film made history Friday night with a live telethon that aired simultaneously on NBC, ABC and CBS.

Tommy Lee Jones seeks $10M in 'No Country' lawsuit

Tommy Lee Jones is suing the makers of "No Country for Old Men" for more than $10 million that the Oscar-winning actor claims he is owed for starring in the 2007 hit crime thriller.

Before there was Hollywood, there was Jacksonville

Before there was Hollywood, there was Jacksonville.

Man gets prison for crime at Dunst's NYC hotel

A drug addict who was arrested on charges of burglarizing Kirsten Dunst's New York City hotel penthouse suite has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison.

Michael Moore to release new film online for free

Inspired by Neil Young and Radiohead, Michael Moore will release his new film online and for free.

Ritchie rocks again with crime romp `RocknRolla'

Crime just never stops paying for Guy Ritchie.

Rogen shows some skin in Smith's `Zack and Miri'

All Seth Rogen really wanted when he came to Hollywood was to make a movie with Kevin Smith.

Stars wish they were in Dorothy's shoes

It's been 70 years since Judy Garland first clicked her ruby slippers in "The Wizard of Oz," yet even the well-heeled celebrities who inhabit the wonderful land of Hollywood still find the shoes a thing of beauty.

Oscar for Capra's 'Prelude to War' given to Army

The Army, with a hand from Hollywood, has received a long-lost Oscar back into its ranks.

Don LaFontaine, voice of movie trailers, dies

The omnipresent baritone and gravely bass undertones of Don LaFontaine's distinctive voice had the unique ability to seamlessly embellish big-screen kisses, slice through over-the-top explosions, perfectly pair with robust musical scores, glide alongside car chases and effortlessly co-star with any A-list talent in Hollywood.

Judge nixes claims in Heath Ledger tape lawsuit

A judge on Wednesday dealt a serious but possibly temporary blow to a lawsuit filed by a celebrity magazine reporter who has accused a paparazzi agency of secretly filming Heath Ledger doing drugs in her hotel room.

Toronto film fest includes Spike Lee, Coens movies

Sundance is about new talent and small, personal films. Cannes is about highbrow cinema and celebrity-watching.

Hootie frontman Rucker a hit with country radio

Darius Rucker says he's always been a sucker for a country shuffle.

Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards

The Jacksons were crowned icons at the BMI Urban Awards, but the King of Pop was an absentee.

NFL season kicks off with free NYC concert

Usher, Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield are kicking off the NFL season with a free concert that's expected to draw thousands to Manhattan's Columbus Circle.

Pavarotti to be remembered around the world

The world will mark the first anniversary of the death of Luciano Pavarotti with a series of concerts, an exhibit and other events, organizers and his family announced Friday.

Soprano Anna Netrebko gives birth to baby boy

Anna Netrebko has a new tenor in her life.

Country singer Jimmy Wayne scores No. 1 hit

Jimmy Wayne was down and out a few years ago. His record label had been bought out, and it looked like his shot at being a country star was over.

Hendrix, Beatles, Elvis memorabilia sold

A guitar set alight onstage by Jimi Hendrix during a concert in London was sold at auction on Thursday for $497,557 to a collector from the United States.

Pop star writes of friendship with ex-priest

Pop star Cliff Richard has written about his relationship with a former Roman Catholic priest in an autobiography excerpted in a British newspaper on Thursday.

Wein works to preserve the Newport festival legacy

For the first time since he founded the Newport Jazz Festival, George Wein didn't have to sign any checks or worry about how the fickle weather might affect the bottom line. Instead, his biggest concern at the recent festival was whether he could keep up on piano with his Newport All-Stars band during their set on the main stage that preceded performances by Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins.

Aguilera does exclusive deal with Target

Christina Aguilera has become the latest musical act to release an album exclusively through one retailer.

2 out of 3 people worldwide tuned in for Olympics

More than two out of three people worldwide tuned in for the Beijing Olympics.

AARP celebrates 50th with star-studded event

Actress Sally Field had some advice for the mature crowd celebrating AARP's 50th anniversary on a sunny day at the Lincoln Memorial: Don't get burned.

David Spade is the father of Playboy pinup's baby

David Spade is the father of Playboy playmate Jillian Grace's newborn daughter, Spade's representative said Thursday. The baby girl was born Aug. 26 in Missouri, and Spade plans to visit her on his first break from filming the CBS sitcom "Rules of Engagement," publicist Meredith O'Sullivan said.

Divorce papers reveal Hulk Hogan's net worth

Thousands of dollars spent on clothing, grooming and vacations are among the average monthly expenses for Hulk Hogan's wife, according to financial affidavits filed in the couple's impending divorce case near Tampa.

Dr. Green returns in `ER' final-season flashback

Dr. Mark Greene is coming back to "ER," but he's not coming back from the dead.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler praises purple

Many stylish women worship the color black, but not Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

McCain, Obama tied in TV audiences

As a television draw, John McCain was every bit the equal of Barack Obama.

New Seinfeld ad draws negative reviews online

No soup for Microsoft?

'Fringe,' 'Privileged' and 'Do Not Disturb' on tap

The new TV season's official start date (Sept. 21) is weeks away, but one of the most anticipated shows, "90210," has already arrived. Now comes the other: Fox's weird-science thriller "Fringe," which premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT. So what's left this fall? Well, CW's sunny youth drama "Privileged," debuting Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT, offers evidence there are pleasant surprises ahead. But Fox's sitcom "Do Not Disturb," on tap for Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EDT, isn't one of them.

'Peanuts' animator Bill Melendez dies at 91

Bill Melendez, the animator who gave life to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other "Peanuts" characters in scores of movies and TV specials, has died. He was 91.