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J.C. Penney reports sharp drop in 3Q profit but boosts outlook on expected sales improvements

J.C. Penney reports sharp drop in 3Q profit

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bracelet of WWII navigator killed in Germany on its way to surviving sister in Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Jack Harold Glenn was a World War II bomber navigator who was killed during a firefight as he flew a mission over Germany in 1944, his body coming to rest in a field in a rural village.

JCPenney to launch its own women’s clothing line called She Said to attract working women

PLANO, Texas — J.C. Penney Co. launched its own clothing line on Friday, introducing a brand called She Said that caters to working women.

Fashion magazine advice columnist reaches out to jobless, homeless California blogger

Six months ago, Brianna Karp found herself living in an old truck and camper she inherited after the suicide of a father she barely knew.

Plus-size clothing another casualty of recession; experts say retailers need to try harder

MIAMI — The American waistline may be expanding, but plus-size shoppers are tightening their belts.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Who wears the shorts in the first family? Michelle Obama creates media frenzy

By now, Michelle Obama has firmly established her sartorial right to bare arms. But baring thighs may be another matter.

Who wears the shorts in the first family? Michelle Obama, and she creates a media frenzy

By now, Michelle Obama has firmly established her sartorial right to bare arms. But baring thighs may be another matter.

Weekly newspaper plods along in Ohio’s Amish country, where readers help fill its pages

SUGARCREEK, Ohio — The writers’ grievances came in the form of angry letters, carried over bumpy rural roads to the newspaper office serving the Amish community.

The Nightingale: Uzbek migrants find uneasy way to Russia on illegal ‘ghost bus’

BUKHARA, Uzbekistan — On paper, the bus does not exist.

Authorities: Now-closed Colo. shop failed to provide brides with wedding gowns they paid for

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Police have launched an investigation after a Colorado bridal shop closed and allegedly failed to deliver wedding gowns that were bought and paid for.

51 Colorado brides left without wedding dresses; police investigate

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Police have launched an investigation after a Colorado bridal shop closed and allegedly failed to deliver wedding gowns that were bought and paid for.