WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is calling on the public to help him get a plan through Congress to expand government assistance to homeowners.

NEW DELHI - An Indian court has ruled that a powerful minister will not have to stand trial in a multibillion-dollar telecommunications scandal, giving the beleaguered government a reprieve.

INDIANAPOLIS - Deion Sanders said he wasn't worried. Joe Montana went in with his game face on and Jordin Sparks just hoped sand did not end up in her eyes.

INDIANAPOLIS - "Twlight" star Kellan Lutz sympathizes with Gisele Bundchen.

MOSCOW - Russia's Gazprom has acknowledged that it briefly reduced gas supplies to Europe as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ordered the Kremlin-controlled monopoly to concentrate on domestic customers.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Actor and filmmaker Zalman King, who became known for his erotic work after writing and producing his breakthrough film "9 1/2 Weeks," has died. He was 70.

BEIJING, China - An environmental protection director and six other officials have been fired after a spill of toxic cadmium in a river in southern China threatened drinking water supplies for millions of people, news reports said Saturday.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Workers have begun stripping away history at Ryman Auditorium.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - The biggest of stars is off to a slow start this season.

TORONTO - The Canadian Auto Workers said it was not surprised by word Friday that American-based heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. would close its Electro-Motive plant in London, Ont., a month after it locked out about 450 workers.