News, Announcements, and Events

Sarah Palin announced Friday she plans to resign as governor of Alaska in a few weeks, saying she will try to "affect positive change" from outside government.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with Myanmar's top military ruler Friday but failed to win any concessions or to get permission to visit opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

A law enforcement official says the powerful sedative Diprivan was found in Michael Jackson's home. Diprivan is an intravenous anesthetic drug widely used in operating rooms to induce unconsciousness. Also known as Propofol, it's very unusual to have in a private home

A public service will take place Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles with 17,500 seats available via lottery. Meanwhile, officials are asking non-credentialed fans to stay home.

With the recession eating away at state and local budgets everywhere, it will be a silent Fourth of July across the country for many communities that have canceled their annual fireworks shows.

American defeats British hope Murray in 4 sets to reach Wimbledon final

U.S. Marines moved into villages in Taliban strongholds in southern Afghanistan on Friday, meeting little resistance as they tried to win over local chiefs.

A top Iranian cleric said Friday that some of the detained Iranian staffers of the British Embassy in Tehran will be put on trial.

Tiger Woods lived up to his hopes of being a “greedy host” when he salvaged his round during a shaky stretch in the middle and shot 4-under 66 to take a one-shot lead at his AT&T National with the lowest 36-hole ever at Congressional Country Club.

Honduras' Supreme Court rebuffed a personal appeal from the Americas' top international diplomat Friday, refusing to restore ousted President Manuel Zelaya before a Saturday deadline.

USDA shortcomings mean consumers who buy "organic" are not always getting foods without pesticides, produced in a way that is gentle on the environment.

Television product pitchman Billy Mays is remembered as a pop culture icon at his funeral near Pittsburgh.

Analysis: Cyclist looks as good as ever, but even-better teammate stands in his way

One of the NYPD's newest officers made his first arrest just minutes after graduating from the Police Academy in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden.

It’s called civet coffee, because it’s made from beans that have been fed to a civet — a critter that looks like a cat on steroids — and then separated from its droppings. And believe it or not, 2 pounds of the stuff sells for as much as $700 in Europe — if you can find it.

Tina Meier had hoped to see her neighbor and former friend, Lori Drew, go to prison for her role in the online hoax that caused Meier's 13-year-old daughter, Megan, to end her life. But even though a judge is throwing out Drew's conviction, Meier believes Drew didn't get away with anything.

The Houston Rockets forward has verbally agreed to play for Los Angeles next season, though the final contract details are still being worked out according to his agent.

The National Society of Newspaper Columnists chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the winner of its annual Sitting Duck Award, a tongue-in-cheek honor that pokes fun at the most ridiculed newsmakers.

American defeats British hope Murray in 4 sets to reach Wimbledon final

Austin:  It’ll be a battle from the baseline in Wimbledon final rematch

Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Rob Johnson doubled home two runs in the 11th inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 on Friday night.

A.J. Burnett scattered six hits over seven innings, Robinson Cano and Alex Rodriguez homered, and the Yankees opened the long holiday weekend with a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

Jake Fox drew a bases-loaded walk off Mike DiFelice to force in the winning run with two outs in the 10th inning Friday, and the Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 2-1.

Rodrigo Lopez took a three-hitter into the seventh inning in his first outing in two years, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game home losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the New York Mets on Friday night.

Austin:  Swiss star will prove too much for Roddick in Wimbledon final

Manny Ramirez has walked in his first at-bat since his 50-day suspension for violating baseball’s drug policy ended.

Tiger Woods lived up to his hopes of being a “greedy host” when he salvaged his round during a shaky stretch in the middle and shot 4-under 66 to take a one-shot lead at his AT&T National with the lowest 36-hole ever at Congressional Country Club.

Coney kings hot-dogged it for the cameras yesterday, mustering tough-guy poses and stare downs at the weigh-in for Saturday's traditional July 4th hot-dog eating contest.

Although the number of Florida players arrested is similar to that of its rivals, the Gators are getting attention because they have won two national titles in the last three years and have a coach who emphasizes good behavior.

'He paid his debt to society. He was a model inmate,' says exec Denny Green

Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday.

Garnett, Allen, Paul Pierce join Ainge in long meeting with Pistons star

Ventre: With the signing of often-troubled Ron Artest, Kobe Bryant’s focus will be split between title repeat and team retreats.

Hill: The mere presence of the 7-foot-1, 325-pound Shaquille O’Neal renews hope for an NBA title in Cleveland.

Chapman is considered to be No. 1 left-handed prospect in world

Sastre fires back after 7-time winner called last year's race 'a bit of a joke'

France's sports minister says Lance Armstrong will be "particularly monitored" in anti-doping checks at the Tour de France this year.