Iran frees American woman on $500,000 bail (AP)

AP - An American woman released by Iran on Tuesday after more than a year in prison flew out of the country to the nearby Gulf nation of Oman to be reunited with her mother after a $500,000 bail was paid to win her freedom.

30 insurgents killed in Afghanistan ahead of vote (AP)

AP - Up to 30 insurgents have been killed in fighting ahead of this week's parliamentary elections in Afghanistan which the Taliban want to undermine, NATO and Afghan officials said Tuesday.

Cuba's leaders lay out details for mass state layoffs (AP)

AP - Cuba's communist leaders have already determined what soon-to-be-dismissed workers should do after they get pink slips in sweeping government layoffs, detailing a plan for them to raise rabbits, paint buildings, make bricks, collect garbage and pilot ferries across Havana's bay.

In talks, no progress seen on Israeli settlements (AP)

AP - Under pressure to compromise, Israeli and Palestinian leaders on Tuesday dug into the central issues blocking a peace deal but the latest talks produced no visible progress on the divisive issue of Jewish settlements.

August retail sales up 0.4 pct., best in 5 months (AP)

AP - Retail sales rose in August by the largest amount in five months, adding to evidence that a late spring economic swoon was temporary and not the start of another recession.

Aging gas pipes at risk of explosion nationwide (AP)

AP - The tragic explosion of a gas pipeline in a San Francisco suburb has shed light on a problem usually kept underground: Communities have expanded over pipes built decades earlier when no one lived there.

Final round primary voters in 7 states set tickets (AP)

AP - Elections in Delaware, New Hampshire and New York on Tuesday are measuring the strength of the tea party movement against the Republican establishment as the primary season draws to a close.

Forces told to shoot anyone defying Kashmir curfew (AP)

AP - Indian police patrolled the streets of Kashmir on Tuesday, threatening to shoot anyone defying a round-the-clock curfew a day after 19 people died in battles between troops and protesters in the disputed region.

George Michael gets 8 weeks jail for drug driving (AP)

AP - George Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in jail and lost his license for five years Tuesday for driving under the influence of drugs when he crashed his car into a London photo shop.

Prosecutor: Mets' K-Rod violates restraining order (AP)

AP - Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez violated a restraining order by sending dozens of text messages to his girlfriend in the weeks after he was accused of assaulting her father outside a family lounge at Citi Field and will face additional charges, prosecutors said Tuesday.

George Michael gets 8 weeks jail for drug driving (AP)

AP - George Michael was sentenced to eight weeks in jail and lost his license for five years Tuesday for driving under the influence of drugs when he crashed his car into a London photo shop.

Kid Rock appears in Ga. court over lawsuit (AP)

AP - Jury selection is under way in a lawsuit against musician Kid Rock stemming from a fight at a Waffle House restaurant near Atlanta.

Winfrey nabs 1st interview with Discovery hostages (AP)

AP - Oprah Winfrey has landed the first television interview with the hostages who were held at the Discovery Channel headquarters near Washington.

Character Actor Harold Gould Has Died (omg!)

Mary Tyler Moore Show actor Harold Gould, the prolific character actor who played Valerie Harper's father on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, has died. He was 86.

Gould died Saturday in Woodland Hills, Calif., after a battle with prostate cancer, The New York Times reports.

See celebrities who have died this year

Oprah nabs 1st TV interview with Discovery hostages (AP)

AP - Oprah Winfrey has landed the first television interview with the hostages who were held at the Discovery Channel headquarters near Washington.

New Spidey star has prepped for role all his life (AP)

AP - Andrew Garfield has been playing Spider-Man since he was tiny. Now he's putting on his childhood superhero's suit for real.

Oprah trip "Down Under" surprises Australians - with a bill (Reuters)

Reuters - Oprah Winfrey might have surprised her talk show audience Monday by giving them all a free, eight-day trip to Australia but the trip also surprised Australians -- with a A$3 million (US$2.8 million) bill.

New Spidey star has prepped for role all his life (AP)

AP - Andrew Garfield has been playing Spider-Man since he was tiny. Now he's putting on his childhood superhero's suit for real.

John Lennon 70th tribute concert to be held in NY (Reuters)

BBC chairman to stand down next year (Reuters)