Actresses flock to Paris for haute couture presentations

People

Luxury labels Christian Dior and Giorgio Armani fought for the hearts and minds of A-list actresses in Paris on Monday with glittering haute couture presentations of red carpet gowns. Helen Mirren, Kerry Washington, Liv Tyler and Eva Mendes were among the celebrities who descended on the French capital for the first of three days of autumn-winter couture displays. Guests also included singer Janet Jackson, who said she was busy preparing for the launch of her own line of lingerie, which she characterized as "classic."

3 more constituents

Rep. Vic Snyder, an Arkansas Democrat, and his wife, the Rev. Betsy Singleton of Little Rock's Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, are expecting triplets. Snyder, 60, and Singleton already have one child, Charles Pennington "Penn" Snyder, who was born in May 2006. But Sndyer's growing brood is no match for Jim Bob Duggar, a former state representative and U.S. Senate candidate, and his wife Michelle, who are expecting their 18th child.

Sold!

Bacon's price a sizzler

A rare set of three works by Irish-born figurative painter Francis Bacon was sold Monday by Christie's auction house in London for $34.5 million. Bacon painted the "Three Studies for a Self Portrait" in Paris in 1975. It was bought by an unnamed buyer in 1976 and has since never been seen in public. A sculpture called "Balloon Flower Magenta" by Jeff Koons sold for $25.8 million. It is the highest price Koon has ever received at auction. Lucian Freud's "Naked Portrait With Reflection" sold for $23.5 million at the same sale of postwar and contemporary art.

Critters

Just out for a stroll

Amsterdam police say 15 camels, two zebras and an undetermined number of llamas and potbellied swine briefly escaped from a traveling Dutch circus after a giraffe kicked a hole in their cage. The animals wandered in a group through a nearby neighborhood for several hours after their 5:30 a.m. breakout. They were back at the circus later Monday after being rounded up by police and circus workers with the assistance of dogs.

Turtle takes the plunge

A 150-pound sea turtle raised by humans returned to freedom Monday after nine years of captivity, swimming away from Jekyll Island, Ga., after veterinarians who cared for her helped steer her toward the ocean. Humans raised the turtle, named Dylan, since she was found in August 1998 as a hatchling straggler on Jekyll Island's beach. She spent years at two nature centers before moving to the Georgia Aquarium, and later, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center at Jekyll Island. Caretakers took the turtle to within 10 feet of water, and she scooted right in as about 300 people watched from the beach. Loggerhead sea turtles like Dylan are classified as a threatened species. Seven other varieties of sea turtles are endangered.

Free concert

Bon Jovi to play in park

New York City officials say Bon Jovi will play at a free concert in Central Park on July 12. The concert is billed as a prelude to the July 15 All-Star baseball game, which will highlight the final season at Yankee Stadium.

Today in History

1863: The Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, resulting in a Union victory, began in Pennsylvania.

1867: Canada became a self-governing dominion of Great Britain as the British North America Act took effect.

1898: During the Spanish-American War, Theodore Roosevelt's "Rough Riders," waged a victorious assault on San Juan Hill in Cuba.

1980: "O Canada" was proclaimed the national anthem of Canada.

1991: President Bush nominated federal appeals court Judge Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court, beginning an ultimately successful confirmation process marked by allegations of sexual harassment.

1997: Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule after 156 years as a British colony.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Olivia de Havilland, 92. Actor Farley Granger, 83. Actress-dancer Leslie Caron, 77. Actress Jean Marsh, 74. Cookie maker Wally Amos, 72. Dancer-choreographer Twyla Tharp, 67. Actress Genevieve Bujold, 66. Gospel singer Andrae Crouch, 66. Rock singer-actress Deborah Harry, 63. Actor-comedian Dan Aykroyd, 56. Olympic gold-medal track star Carl Lewis, 47. Actor Andre Braugher, 46. Actress Pamela Anderson, 41. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott, 37. Actress Liv Tyler, 31. Actress Hilarie Burton, 26.

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