Associated Press
Latest stories
New Touchscreen BlackBerrys to Launch in Aug.

Research In Motion is unveiling five new BlackBerrys with touchscreens, as it hopes to revive the line's dwindling appeal in the face of competition from the iPhone and Android smartphones.

The new phones had been expected earlier this year, but were delayed. Those delays have weighed heavily on Research In Motion Ltd.'s stock price, which is at its lowest level since 2006.

W140 Full Story
Blake Upsets Defending Champion Nalbandian

U.S. veteran James Blake upset defending champion David Nalbandian 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the third round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic.

Once ranked as high as No. 4, Blake won the hard-court U.S. Open tuneup in 2002 and was the runner-up in 2005. But beset by a series of injuries, most recently a bad right knee, he dropped to 173rd in the rankings in March and began this week at 90th.

W140 Full Story
CEO Says P&G Preparing for Tough Economic Times

Procter & Gamble Corp. Chief Executive Robert McDonald says his company is preparing for a period of little or no economic growth in developed countries.

McDonald told reporters Wednesday in Singapore that he's concerned about the lack of growth in the U.S. He said his company's sales from October last year through to March this year in North America, Western Europe and Japan were flat.

W140 Full Story
Standard Chartered Boosts Profits

Standard Chartered bank reported first half profits for the ninth consecutive year Wednesday and said it was successfully reaching out to burgeoning middle classes in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The bank reported a 20 jump in net profits to $2.5 billion, up from $2.1 billion the year before.

W140 Full Story
AOL Launches Personalized Magazine App for iPad

Internet company AOL is trying to snatch a larger portion of the tablet computer audience by launching free iPad software that presents a customized, daily e-magazine that draws in content from all over the Web.

Called Editions, the software is similar to news-aggregating mobile apps such as Flipboard and Pulse, but more focused on bringing users a finite, tailored amount of content that updates once per day. AOL's app is being released Wednesday.

W140 Full Story
Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones to Receive Oscars

Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith will be getting Oscars.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the three will be honored with Oscar statuettes at the Governors Awards in November. The academy's Board of Governors voted Tuesday to recognize the entertainment industry veterans.

W140 Full Story
Five Dead in Hama as Army Storms Damascus Suburb

At least five people were killed on Tuesday as the Syrian army pressed on with its crackdown on the flashpoint protest city of Hama and troops stormed a Damascus suburb.

At least 24 civilians were reported killed across Syria on Monday, among them 10 during protests after special evening prayers, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief Rami Abdul Rahman said.

W140 Full Story
Bunny Costumes Suit 'Playboy Club' Actresses

The legendary Playboy bunny costume can be pretty snug, but it puts a wearer in the mood.

The actresses who star as those alluring waitresses in NBC's "The Playboy Club" say dressing for the role made it easier to play.

W140 Full Story
NKorea Launches Massive Dance and Gymnastics Show

North Korea has launched a massive synchronized dance and gymnastics show meant to glorify its leaders and unify its people ahead of a crucial anniversary next year.

Organizers say up to 100,000 people will participate in the Arirang show. The performance comes as the North prepares for next year's centennial of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung.

W140 Full Story
Russia's Olympic Bear Kept Caged on Parked Bus

For two years, a 36-year-old bear who performed during the 1980 Moscow Olympics has been kept with other retired circus animals in a rusty old bus parked on the outskirts of St. Petersburg.

Animal rights activists say they receive only minimal care in their cramped and stinking cages.

W140 Full Story