2008 Olympics officially under way
China commandeered the world stage today, celebrating its first-time role as Olympic host with a stunning display of pageantry and fireworks to open the 2008 Summer Games.
Man gets 4 months for noose incident
A Louisiana man was sentenced to four months Friday for using hangman's nooses to threaten and intimidate civil rights marchers near Jena, Louisiana, officials said Friday.
Why wasn't Marine awarded Medal of Honor?
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Hollywood has long looked overseas to make movies (Reuters)
Reuters - Kirk Douglas knows all about "runaway production" to foreign locales.
O'Neal attorney denies drug allegations (AP)
AP - A day after Ryan O'Neal and his son were arrested on suspicion of drug possession, his lawyer denied any wrongdoing by the actor.
Dad angered by 'monster' molester's freedom
Jurors convicted the art teacher of forcing a boy to have sex with him repeatedly in a classroom supply closet. A judge sentenced him to 43 years. But Aaron Mohanlal has yet to spend a day in prison, and he lives 15 miles from his victim. "The idea of that monster being that close to my family again is outrageous," the boy's father told CNN for an exclusive report.
Theron attends `Burning Plain' debut in Venice (AP)
AP - Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut, "The Burning Plain," opens with a wide shot of a trailer ablaze in the New Mexico desert. While the landscape appears barren and exposed, it is concealing secrets that drive the story.
"Mamma Mia!" top-grossing British film in U.K (Reuters)
Reuters - "Mamma Mia!" has become the biggest British movie of all time at the U.K. box office, and pundits believe it's only a matter of time before the ABBA-themed musical replaces "Titanic" as the all-time champ.
"Beast" sure to be a 3-D beauty for Disney in 2010 (Reuters)
Reuters - Belle, the Beast and all the dancing silverware in "Beauty and the Beast" are getting a 3-D makeover.
Saudi royals' Mayo Clinic trip lifts local economy
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Pakistani president's resignation accepted
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation today after weeks of pressure to relinquish power. "For the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign as president," he said. Local media reports said Musharraf had been granted "safe passage" out of the country. Musharraf has been a keen ally of the West in the fight on terror.
Actress Greene taking "Summer" trip (Reuters)
Reuters - A family of serial killers has drawn "Twilight" star Ashley Greene into their web in the edgy indie thriller "Summer."
Holy $66 Million Debut, Batman! (E! Online)
E! Online - In a made-up word: Bat-tastic.
Stars honor screen legend Newman
Paul Newman, the legendary actor whose steely blue eyes, good-humored charm and advocacy of worthy causes made him one of the most renowned figures in American arts, has died of cancer at his home in Westport, Connecticut. He was 83.
Luck runs out for pigs caught in floodwaters
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EPA rejects ethanol waiver request
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it will not curtail a rule requiring that ethanol be added to gasoline, turning back a claim that the additive was artificially raising food prices.
`Dark Knight' credits pay tribute to Ledger (AP)
AP - Heath Ledger is getting a fond tribute from his collaborators on "The Dark Knight."
Casting Couch: Carrie, Billy Dee Do the Robot Chicken Dance; Mad Men Star on B'way (E! Online)
E! Online - The Force is still with Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams.
India's Tendulkar to make Bollywood debut (Reuters)
Reuters - Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar will
make his Bollywood debut with a cameo role in a film about the
miracles of the elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesh.
Gulf Coast braces as Fay creeps up; toll at 11
Tropical Storm Fay made its sixth landfall Saturday morning, moving over the central Florida Panhandle on a slow-moving westward path.