Utah girl’s suspension for piercing her nose shows challenge for Indian culture in America

Utah girl’s pierced nose: US-Indian culture clash

Amid drum beat of militant violence, models defy Taliban in Pakistan’s 1st fashion week

Pakistan models defy Taliban with 1st fashion week

Amid drum beat of militant violence, Pakistan models take part in first fashion week

Pakistan’s fashionistas defy Taliban

KARACHI, Pakistan — Some women strode the catwalk in vicious spiked bracelets and body armor. Others had their heads covered, burqa-style, but with shoulders — and tattoos — exposed. Male models wore long, Islamic robes as well as shorts and sequined T-shirts.

Even with government aid, middle class would still pay thousands for health insurance

Middle class would pay thousands for health care

Ohio woman hoping diamond wedding ring will turn up in a trick-or-treater’s goodies bag

Ohio woman hopes trick-or-treater may find ring

Estee Lauder 1st-quarter profit more than doubles on strong skin care sales

Estee Lauder 1Q profit more than doubles

NEW YORK — A strong relaunch of a skin-care line and better-than-expected sales at airport stores helped Estee Lauder Cos. more than double its fiscal first-quarter profit, the company said Friday, but it remained cautious on the upcoming holiday season.

Mich. police say burglar tried on woman’s clothes before fleeing in boxers shorts, pink cap

Cops: Man tries woman’s clothes, flees in boxers

New Web site promotes French luxury labels in brand-hungry China

New site promotes French luxury labels in China

With time growing short, Democratic leaders face critical decisions on health care bills

Clock ticking on Democrats for health care reform

Reviving after 2006 destruction, Hezbollah’s Beirut stronghold a symbol of Shiite strength

BEIRUT — The sprawling Shiite suburb of south Beirut has made a comeback after the destruction wreaked by Israel during 2006 fighting, a symbol of the community’s resilience at a time when its political patron, Hezbollah, is seeking a greater voice in Lebanon’s government.

Perfume maker Inter Parfums 3Q sales fell 5 percent, expects to update ‘09 profit guidance

NEW YORK — Perfume maker Inter Parfums Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter sales fell 5 percent to $117.5 million from $123.5 million a year earlier, and it expects to update its 2009 profit expectation.

Ring with 32-carat diamond, owned by Leonore Annenberg, sells for $7.7 million at NYC auction

NEW YORK — A square, 32.01-carat emerald-cut diamond that billionaire philanthropist Leonore Annenberg bought for her 90th birthday has been sold for $7.7 million at a New York City auction.

Ring with 32-carat diamond, owned by Leonore Annenberg, sells for $7.6 million at NYC auction

NEW YORK — A square, 32.01-carat emerald-cut diamond that billionaire philanthropist Leonore Annenberg bought for her 90th birthday has been sold for $7.6 million at a New York City auction.

Rev. Moon marries 45,000 people worldwide in biggest mass wedding in 10 years

ASAN, South Korea — It was his wedding day, but Choi In-seok admitted to a twinge of nervousness Wednesday about spending the rest of his life with the woman hand-picked for him by the Unification Church.

Rev. Moon marries tens of thousands of couples worldwide in biggest mass wedding in 10 years

ASAN, South Korea — From South Korea to South America, Rev. Sun Myung Moon married tens of thousands of couples in the Unification Church’s largest mass wedding in a decade and potentially the last for the 89-year-old leader.

Ky. ads: Live it up, find a girl with a risque tattoo in Louisville _ your ‘Possibility City’

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Want to live it up in a thriving metropolitan city and find a girl with a tattoo on her — well, in a strange place?

Liz Claiborne signs 10-year deal to sell some brands only at JC Penney, Mizrahi line on QVC

NEW YORK — Clothing maker Liz Claiborne Inc. said Thursday it will help reverse its fortune by moving its namesake line to J.C. Penny Co. from Macy’s Inc. and other stores and taking the line designed by Isaac Mizrahi to the TV shopping channel QVC.

Bomb explodes inside hair salon south of Baghdad, kills 5, Iraqi police say

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi police official says a bomb has exploded inside a crowded barber shop south of Baghdad, killing at least five people.

Allergan suing US regulators, saying off-label marketing policy violates free-speech rights

NEW YORK — Allergan Inc., the maker of the Botox wrinkle treatment, challenged the government’s ban on off-label drug marketing to doctors, saying it violates the company’s right to freedom of speech.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International acquires Private Formula International Holdings

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said Wednesday it will buy Private Formula International Holdings Pty Ltd., a skin care company, to boost its dermatology portfolio.

Berlusconi deja vu: calls Obama ‘tanned’ again, this time says First Lady is ‘tanned’ too

ROME — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi is poking fun at President Barack Obama again.

Michael Jackson’s crystal-studded boots fetch €10,000 at event chaired by sister Janet

MILAN — Crystal-studded boots that Michael Jackson intended to wear on his planned comeback tour fetched euro10,000 ($14,650) at a celebrity fundraiser chaired by his sister, Janet.

Michelle Obama shares passion for fresh, local food with G-20 summit spouses at dinner on farm

PITTSBURGH — First lady Michelle Obama shared her passion for eating fresh, healthy and locally grown food with the spouses of world leaders at a dinner Thursday on a working farm.

Forgotten mourners: Siblings of those killed in Iraq, Afghanistan can find lives unraveling

WASHINGTON — The photo tells one story: brothers Chad and Ian Weikel, all smiles, arms around each other on Ian’s wedding day. The tattoos now on Chad’s forearms tell another — about his anguish over his brother’s death in Iraq.

Hungry Hondurans hunt for food during break in curfew; deposed leader hunkers down at embassy

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Hungry Hondurans scrambled through looted stores and lined up for food Wednesday during a break in a long curfew called to halt violence that erupted with the return of the country’s deposed leftist president.