The human populations now predominant in Eurasia and East Asia probably split between 36,200 and 45,000 years ago, according to a study released Thursday.

Researchers used new techniques to analyze genetic samples from the shin bone of a young man who died at least 36,200 years ago near Kostenki-Borshchevo in what is now western Russia. The study, published in the journal Science, concludes that Kostenki man shared genetic sequences with contemporary Europeans, but not East Asians.

Rachel Bilson is on mommy duty.

The "Hart of Dixie" actress and "Star Wars" actor Hayden Christensen welcomed a daughter, Briar Rose Christensen, on Oct. 29, Bilson's representative confirmed Thursday.

An entertainment executive pledged a collection of paintings by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and other major artists to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Thursday, a donation the institution called the largest in its history.

"Los Angeles helped make my career possible," said Jerry Perenchio, the former chairman and CEO of Univision who has lived in the city for 70 years. "My family and I are proud and honored to be able to give something back to a wonderful city."

The tropically incompatible materials of leather and wool emerged as big winners during Thursday's fall-winter catwalks at Sao Paulo fashion week.

Veteran Rio de Janeiro-based designer Patricia Vieira served up easy, breezy leather garments, laser-cut so finely that the swingy cocktail dresses appeared to be made of lace.

A judge on Thursday ended Lindsay Lohan's probation in a necklace theft case and said she appears to be doing well with a plan to complete community service and counseling required in her last remaining criminal matter.

Superior Court Judge James R. Dabney said the actress received favorable reports from her counselor and an agency in London where she is performing community service.

Oregon police agree it was a bad first date.

They say a 23-year-old man met a woman for the first time in person Monday night after they talked online. She hopped into his vehicle at a drive-through restaurant in Wilsonville, south of Portland, and suggested he buy her a milkshake.

A proposal to expand the skin color options for emojis may get the thumbs up from those calling for more diversity in the icons.

Emojis are cartoon-like pictograms — such as smiley faces or hearts — that have become popular in texts and online chats to express emotion.

The space tourism company that suffered a tragic setback when its experimental rocket-powered spaceship broke apart over the California desert could resume test flights as early as next summer if it can finish building a replacement craft, its CEO said Wednesday.

The sleek composite shell and tail section of the new craft are sitting inside the company's manufacturing facility in Mojave, California.

Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea coral in underwater canyons off the Northern California coast, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Wednesday.

A NOAA research team using small submersibles found the coral in September near national marine sanctuaries off the coast of Sonoma County, the agency said.

A new private sector initiative announced Wednesday will provide at least $450 million in commercial financing to the three West African countries hardest hit by Ebola to promote trade, investment and employment.

The International Finance Corporation, which is part of the World Bank Group, announced that the package will include $250 million in rapid response projects and at least $200 million in investment projects to support the economic recovery of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea after the Ebola outbreak is controlled.