RAFAH, Gaza Strip – Palestinian security forces sealed off Gaza’s southern border early Sunday, officials said, halting a chaotic flood of people into Egypt (search) following the Israeli withdrawal from the area. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (search) said the border is under control after days of chaos. Adnan Barbach, a …

PHILADELPHIA – Rapper Lil’ Kim (search) began serving a 366-day prison sentence Monday for her conviction on charges stemming from a 2001 shootout outside a New York City radio station. The 30-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Kimberly Jones (search), was whisked into the federal detention center past a throng …

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NEW YORK – Stocks fell slightly Friday as oil company shares like Exxon Mobil declined after the promise of fuel aid in the wake of Hurricane Katrina drove crude oil prices down. But investors took some hope in a growing consensus that a slowing economy would encourage the Federal Reserve …

RIALTO, Calif. – Rodney King (search), whose videotaped beating by Los Angeles police led to deadly riots in 1992, was arrested after he allegedly threatened his daughter and ex-girlfriend, police said. King, 40, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of making criminal threats. He was being held on $25,000 bail. He …

LOS ANGELES – For Reese Witherspoon (search), Katrina really hit home. With the superstar actress hailing from hurricane-ravaged Baton Rouge, La., there was just no avoiding discussion of the disaster as she spoke with press at Thursday night’s Hollywood premiere of her romantic-comedy “Just Like Heaven.” (search) “My family has …

This is a partial transcript of “The Big Story With John Gibson,” September 26, 2005, that has been edited for clarity. JOHN GIBSON, HOST: The president says he now wants Congress to consider giving the military the lead role in responding to natural disasters. State governors now take the lead …

NEW YORK – Vincent Pastore (search), who played gangster Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero (search) on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” (search) has agreed to plead guilty to a charge that he attempted to assault a former girlfriend last spring. The plea bargain, which has yet to receive final approval from a judge, …

NEW YORK – Stocks ended barely changed Thursday after a mixed set of data left investors concerned about the outlook for economic growth and the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate policy. The Dow Jones industrial average (search) closed up 13.85 points, or 0.13 percent, at 10,558.75. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index …

A baby’s first cry may happen in the womb long before its arrival in the delivery room. New research shows that fetuses may learn to express their displeasure by crying silently while still in the womb as early as in the 28th week of pregnancy. Video-recorded ultrasound images of third …