Angry crowds greet members at health care events; congressman says swastika painted at office

LEBANON, Pa. — Jeers and taunts drowned out Democrats calling for a health care overhaul at town halls Tuesday, and one lawmaker said a swastika was spray-painted at his office as debate turned to noisy confrontation over President Barack Obama’s plan. The president himself was treated more respectfully.

Dallas: Built on big oil money, but cheap eats and affordable sightseeing can be had

DALLAS —In a city that hangs its hat on big money, a flashy skyline and well-heeled locals, a visit on the cheap might seem unlikely. But residents know that it doesn’t take a trust fund to have a good time here. For starters, sit down to a plate of cheap tacos and start people-watching.

Sudanese police beat women, fire tear gas to stop protest over dress code trial

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Sudanese police fired tear gas and beat women protesting at the trial Tuesday of a female journalist who faces a flogging for wearing trousers in public.

For rural hospitals, move to digitize records on federal incentive carries costs, and risks

OSCEOLA, Mo. — Electronic medical records are a life-or-death issue at Sac-Osage Hospital — not necessarily just for the patients, but for the hospital itself.

Toxic cologne? 34 people hospitalized after co-worker sprays perfume at Texas call center

FORT WORTH, Texas — At first, fire officials suspected that carbon monoxide or some other toxic fumes had sickened almost 150 people at a Texas bank call center. It turned out that perfume was to blame.

Sudanese woman facing 40 lashes for wearing trousers to give up UN immunity, stand trial

KHARTOUM, Sudan — A Sudanese female journalist facing 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public in violation of the country’s strict Islamic laws told a packed Khartoum courtroom Wednesday she is resigning from a U.N. job that grants her immunity so she can challenge the law on women’s public dress code.

Texas librarians bare skin, show wild side in calendar to raise money for disaster relief

AUSTIN, Texas — So much for the stereotype. Texas librarians are baring their skin and revealing their tattoos — all to raise disaster relief money to help damaged libraries. Photos of the librarians and their body art appear in a new calendar sold by the Texas Library Association.

Study: Tanning beds and UV radiation definitely cause cancer experts say

LONDON — International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category deeming both to be definite causes of cancer.

Study: Tanning beds and UV radiation as deadly as arsenic, mustard gas, experts say

LONDON — International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as “probable carcinogens.”

CAPITAL CULTURE: Michelle Obama’s style reflects Chicago, city of broad shoulders, bare arms

CHICAGO — In Michelle Obama’s hometown, working women hustle back and forth from home to the office in stylish shoes they can walk fast and far in. They wear chic but commonsense coats that keep them warm in the winters — and those famous sleeveless tops favored by the first lady in the summer.

In a Middle East where women dress conservatively, Lebanon is a daring fashion capital

BEIRUT — The gowns are cut low in the front, slashing down to the navel, or low in the back, swooping below the waist, inset with delicate see-through fabric. They couldn’t be further from the modest dress generally worn by women in the Muslim Arab world.

Michelle Obama says children need exposure to the arts _ jokes about her kids’ laptops

WASHINGTON — If you think your kids spend a little too much time on their laptops, take heart: Michelle Obama has the same problem.

Michelle Obama fetes nation’s most innovative designers _ and jokes about her kids’ laptops

WASHINGTON — If you think your kids spend a little too much time on their laptops, take heart: Michelle Obama has the same problem.

In hard times, urban youths’ attention turns from top labels to essentials

NEW YORK — Herman Joseph’s eyes light up when he lists some of his favorite clothing lines: True Religion. Rock & Republic. 7 For All Mankind.

Anti-Semitism group in Romania files complaint against mayor over Nazi uniform

CONSTANTA, Romania — An anti-Semitism monitoring organization in Romania has filed an official complaint with prosecutors against a mayor for taking part in a fashion show dressed as a Nazi officer and wearing a swastika.

Kelly and Birkin handbags help Hermes post 12 percent increase in second-quarter revenue

PARIS — French luxury goods group Hermes said Tuesday its sales rose 12.2 percent to euro446.6 million ($635 million) in the second quarter, driven by “persistently strong demand” for its leather handbags.

Feds say HIV not a bar to becoming a barber, masseuse or health care aide

WASHINGTON — Aspiring barbers, masseuses, and home health care aides cannot be denied professional licenses because they have AIDS or HIV, federal authorities said Thursday.

It’s all new to them: Kids’ clothes capture the peace and love vibe of the ’60s

NEW YORK — Peace, love and neon. Those are the back-to-school buzzwords for a generation too young to remember those fashion themes the first time around, or even the second.

NY to pursue killing of transgender woman as hate crime; few NY cases ever win convictions

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It was no secret to friends and family that Lateisha Green was born a boy. She had been living mostly as a female since age 16.

Texas man gets ‘Only God can judge me’ tattooed on his arm, then skips out on paying bill

DENTON, Texas — God might not be the only one passing judgment on a man who skipped out on paying $200 for a religious tattoo at a parlor. Denton police are investigating a nonpayment complaint filed by a tattoo artist who inscribed “Only God can judge me” on a customer’s arm. The Denton Record-Chronicle reported Thursday that the artist finished the work, which included a pair of praying hands, and presented the bill.

Valentino’s new designers look away from archive with a more personal vision for the future

PARIS — Valentino’s new design team slashed hemlines, toned down the palette and substituted the old lady brocades for racy tulle and lace for a winter 2010 haute couture collection Wednesday that looked aimed to seduce a younger, hipper clientele.

Brides-to-be march down aisle at Elie Saab, with all-white couture collection

PARIS — It was hard to spot the bride at Elie Saab’s haute couture show on Wednesday, as nearly all of the merengue-y, sequined-encrusted looks could have passed for wedding wear.

Chanel delivers couture fit for a queen, with a regal, train-filled collection

PARIS — Fashion’s undisputed king, Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel, served up an haute couture collection fit for royalty on Tuesday, with dangling trains adding a regal touch to everything from classic tweed skirt suits to slim cocktail dresses.

Tears flow at what might be Lacroix’s last haute couture show

PARIS — It’s not every day a fashion show triggers rivers of tears and group hugs. But that was the just what happened Tuesday as Christian Lacroix showed what could possibly be his last haute couture show — at least for as long as it takes the legendary French designer to sort out his finances.

Yemen executes barber for rape, death of 11-year-old who came to his shop for haircut

SAN’A, Yemen — The Yemen news agency reports that a barber has been publicly executed after he was found guilty of raping and killing an 11-year-old boy who came to his shop for a haircut.

Baseball-glove bags, python prints and vegan totes are new options in suitcases

The big, black, boxy suitcase still dominates car trunks and airport luggage carousels, but that might not be the case for long as consumers seek out versatile, lightweight luggage that complements both their lifestyle and personal style. Manufacturers are responding with new styles, materials and colors.

Fashion designer Zandra Rhodes crashes car into San Diego store, injuring customer

SAN DIEGO — A celebrity fashion designer has crashed her car through the front window of a hardware store in San Diego, injuring a customer inside.

Catty rumors fly at Dior as Paris’ menswear week winds down with shows by Lanvin, Paul Smith

PARIS — The French capital’s spring-summer 2010 menswear displays wound down Sunday with a harder-than-usual silhouette from romantic label Lanvin, a retro rocker at British dandy Paul Smith and a sheer, shorn look at Dior Homme that sparked catty rumors about the possible departure of the luxury house’s designer, Kris Van Assche.

Dispensing pricey glitter, Saudi and Libyan leaders were top gift-givers to US last year

WASHINGTON — When U.S. presidents and their diplomats meet some Arab leaders, they come away with more than an earful about foreign policy. They also get exquisite baubles, objects of gold, robes, art — even a papier mache Santa Claus.

With goal of bipartisan deal, House Democrats open hearings on sweeping health care bill

WASHINGTON — House Democrats are pushing forward with a partisan health care bill even as a key Senate Democrat labors to achieve an elusive bipartisan compromise on President Barack Obama’s top legislative priority.