Mexican novelist, essayist Carlos Fuentes dies

Author Carlos Fuentes, who played a dominant role in Latin America's novel-writing boom by delving into the failed ideals of the Mexican revolution, died Tuesday in a Mexico City hospital. He was 83.

NY judge: Apple statements damage lawsuit position

A federal judge cited the confident voice of the late Apple founder Steve Jobs on Tuesday as she refused to toss out lawsuits alleging the company and various publishers conspired to drive up the price of electronic books.

Ellen DeGeneres wins top U.S. humor prize in D.C.

Ellen DeGeneres, who broke ground in 1997 as the first lead character on prime-time TV to reveal she was gay, is winning the nation's top humor prize.   The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that DeGeneres will receive the 15th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. She will be honored Oct. [...]

Photographer Scott Cavanah eschews digital for low-tech cameras

Now that digital technology has made it easier than ever to produce crisp, grain-free images with spot-on color, photographer Scott Cavanah has chosen to work with a film camera that's extremely difficult to focus, limited in its ability to produce precise exposures, and guaranteed to leak light so images will be marred with light flare. [...]

U.S. taxpayers getting cut of ‘Passion’ prequel

The American taxpayer may be getting into the movie business.   In a real-life case of drugs and extortion that could itself make a pretty good screenplay, federal prosecutors have forced a Mexican drug trafficker to turn over his stake in a planned prequel to Mel Gibson's 2004 blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ."

Obama basks again in Hollywood glory, but at cost?

Under a tent on George Clooney's basketball court, the cheers were loud and warm for President Barack Obama.   "I want to thank Clooney for letting us use his basketball court," Obama quipped to a glittery crowd that included Barbra Streisand, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., Salma Hayek and Tobey Maguire. "This guy has been [...]

Hot Online: Surfer recognized for riding biggest wave

Daily roundup of what's hot online right now with a video of a surfer riding the biggest wave, free app of the day and a new Facebook feature in beta phase.

Detroit orchestra hopes Kid Rock show raises $1 million

This time last year, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra was about a month removed from a contentious musicians’ strike that worsened its already strained finances. Now, the rebounding organization aims to raise the roof — and hopefully $1 million — with help from a hometown musician known more for rock, rap and country than classical.   [...]

Review: Bryan outshines Aldean

This might sound like sacrilege, but why is Jason Aldean headlining the "2012 My Kinda Party" tour?

Photos: Jason Aldean headlines big country music show in Peoria