Italian designers brighten up life with colorful clothes in classic styles

MILAN — The look for next summer may be colorfully upbeat, but where styles are concerned, Italian designers showing their 2010 menswear warm weather wears are playing it safe.

Imelda Marcos says she’s broke and bitter, but clings on to diamond ring

MANILA, Philippines — Imelda Marcos is nothing if not a survivor.

Venezuela rations dollars, loses billions as Chavez’s currency controls backfire in oil slump

VALENCIA, Venezuela — General Motors Corp. is halting production in Venezuela for three months starting Friday. Ford Motor Co.’s subsidiary announced 10 percent cutbacks last week. Other automakers also are shrinking their business — but not because Venezuelans don’t want to buy cars.

Consumer-products maker Procter & Gamble buys high-end men’s skin care brand Zirh

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble Co. said Tuesday it will buy the upscale men’s skin care line Zirh to continue building its men’s grooming business.

Naked intruder found in Colorado home later spotted in another home wearing women’s clothing

GOLDEN, Colo. — Authorities said a naked intruder startled a woman in her home west of Denver, then fled in a sheet to another home where he was discovered wearing women’s clothing. Jefferson County deputies said the first break-in occurred shortly before 7 a.m. Monday. The man fled when the woman screamed.

Former Auschwitz slave laborer donates Holocaust victims’ jewelry to memorial

JERUSALEM — As a slave laborer in Auschwitz, Meyer Hack was forced to sort through the tattered clothing stripped off inmates before they were sent to the gas chambers. He gathered valuable belongings hidden inside the clothes, stuffed them in a sock, hid them and later spirited them to freedom.

Connecticut high court: Ex-wife of anti-wrinkle guru Perricone cannot discuss relationship

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The former wife of popular anti-wrinkle guru Dr. Nicholas Perricone cannot publicly discuss their relationship, Connecticut’s highest court said Monday, ruling a confidentiality agreement she had signed when their marriage was on the rocks is still valid.

AP Poll: Love the dress, hate the receiving line _ ceremony, clothes among wedding guest faves

NEW YORK — Planning a wedding, and want to make sure your guests are happy? Think about ditching the receiving line.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Michelle Obama wows Paris with sophisticated fashion, dabbles in French style

PARIS — Michelle Obama, whom French fashionistas regard as the best-dressed American first lady since Jackie Kennedy, lived up to her sartorial reputation during her trip to Paris, sporting a wardrobe of fashion-forward classics by top American designers.

With plans hush-hush, expectation mounts ahead of the Obamas’ weekend in Paris

PARIS — Not since the Kennedy era has an American first lady — and in tow, her presidential husband — been so eagerly awaited in Paris.

Conn. bride in gown, high heels teeters through mud to help save neighbors from burning home

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Georgette Fogarty-Clemons was heading home from her wedding Sunday evening, looking forward to relaxing with a few friends. Her friend was driving slowly because they had some leftover cake in the car, along with hydrangeas and lilies still in water.

Conn. bride rescues Bridgeport family from burning home while wearing wedding dress

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — A Connecticut family has been saved from a house fire by a new bride who rushed inside through thick smoke while wearing her wedding gown.

Still looking for a Mother’s Day gift? The clock is ticking. Suggestions for 5 classic options

NEW YORK — With Mother’s Day just days away, there are plenty of options left for procrastinators, but most involve shelling out major bucks. This year, though, as retailers chase dollars amid the recession, some low-price options are available.

French fashion designer Pierre Cardin hospitalized after fall

PARIS — Fashion designer Pierre Cardin has been hospitalized after fainting and falling earlier this week.

Shoppers fret about tomorrow, so more clothing stores stock attire that can be worn today

NEW YORK — When times were good, retailers sold sundresses in February and heavy wool sweaters in August.

Bengals fans already embracing USC linebacker Rey Maualuga

CINCINNATI — On his first night in town, Rey Maualuga realized he was already popular.

A day in the recession: Job hunting, a free meal, an auction, _ and a prayer

It’s a rainy spring morning and Tamara Ogier plants herself at a table in a Spartan room in the Atlanta federal courthouse, computer and tape recorder at hand, ready to hear another day’s stories of financial ruin.

The first 100 days give a snapshot of Michelle Obama’s modern American style

Every decision President Barack Obama has made over the past 100 days has been analyzed this way and that. The same could be said for first lady Michelle Obama, and nothing has been more widely discussed than her wardrobe choices.

Prince Charles discusses climate change with pope at Vatican

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI and Prince Charles discussed their mutual concern for the environment as the heir to the British throne brought his campaign to fight climate change to the Vatican on Monday.