NEW YORK – “Jersey Boys,” an exuberant autobiography of pop icons Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and “The Drowsy Chaperone,” a fizzy, Canadian-born celebration of Broadway’s musical past, squared off Sunday in the tightest race in years for the 2006 Tony Awards. The two shows were the main contenders …

LONDON – Three British youths formerly detained at the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo Bay and now the subjects of a new film about their experiences say they were driven to desperation knowing others had tried to kill themselves at the camp. In an interview with The Associated Press, Shafiq …

LOS ANGELES – The surviving founders of the Beach Boys — Brian Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine — made their first public appearance together in 10 years Tuesday, standing atop the historic Capitol Records building in Hollywood. The trio gathered to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the landmark “Pet …

NEW YORK – Adam Sandler turns 40 in a few months and the new father says he’s ready to shift his focus. Sandler and his wife, Jackie, welcomed their first child, Sadie Madison, last month. “I’ve got the kid — I feel relief that I don’t have to think about …

LAS VEGAS – Jerry Lewis was back working the phones for his annual Labor Day telethon as he recuperates on his boat in San Diego after heart surgery, his manager said Monday. “He’s recovering and already working on the telethon,” his longtime manager, Claudia Marghilano, said about Lewis’ benefit for …

VIENNA, Austria – President Bush began a quick visit Tuesday to shore up ties with Europe as the White House said the capture and killing of two American soldiers in Iraq was a “reminder that this is a brutal enemy that does not follow any of the rules.” Bush and …

NEW YORK – Bob Dylan‘s new album, “Modern Times,” to be released Aug. 29, features 10 original songs recorded by the singer-songwriter and his touring band. Song titles include “Thunder on the Mountain,” “Spirit on the Water,” “Workingman’s Blues” and “When the Deal Goes Down.” Dylan plays keyboard, guitar and …

WASHINGTON – President Bush, urging the Senate to pass the line-item veto, on Tuesday criticized House Democrats who didn’t back the measure even though they’ve called for federal spending restraint. A line-item veto would allow the president to cut certain provisions in spending bills without vetoing the entire measure. The …

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Flush with intelligence, the U.S. military moved quickly Friday to take advantage of the power vacuum left by the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, carrying out nearly 40 raids in an effort to stop his terror network from regrouping. A U.S. military search of the destroyed safehouse …

NEW YORK – Stocks fell slightly Friday at the end of a week of zigzag trading that saw a steep selloff followed by a dramatic rebound. The major indexes finished the week mixed, with large caps seeing gains and small caps slipping. Traders paused after a two-session rally undid weeks …