LOS ANGELES — The twins were 7, shy and scared. Talking was tough and describing what happened nearly impossible.

SHANGHAI — China's biggest city and financial hub is known for designer boutiques and fine dining. Yet wallet-draining Shanghai also offers activities that cost nothing, from walking on the riverfront Bund to sculpture parks and historic sites. Here are five of them.

“Out of respect for the victims, I refuse to name, watch or listen to the accused, while the victim is six feet under, robbed of their precious lives! I began this promise, to victims, starting in 1995. I blackout all media that creates a rating circus, totally disrespecting the dead... sickening!”

Three years ago, in the wake of a new Arizona law aimed at those in the country illegally, tens of thousands converged on the Capitol with a message: Today we march, tomorrow we vote.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

Time marches on.

Another Italian eatery is preparing to open in the recently closed Anzio Landing restaurant space in Mesa.

Darkness can be paralyzing.

It's not a big breakthrough.

Corona del Sol lost a baseball game on Thursday in a most peculiar way.

On Thursday, the Division I and II baseball state tournaments will move to Spring Training stadiums across the Valley.

A 150 lb. bear decided to venture into an east Mesa neighborhood Tuesday night, drawing the attention of residents and Mesa Police.

What a difference a year makes.

WASHINGTON — The government is moving the morning-after pill over the counter but only those 15 and older can buy it — an attempt to find middle ground just days before a court-imposed deadline to lift all age restrictions on the emergency contraceptive.

LOS ANGELES — It's a Super Bowl matchup for the ages: cats vs. dogs.

Jodi is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a blend of some kind, and appears to possibly be part Spitz or Chow. Weighing approximately 35 pounds, she’s on the smaller side.

Nick Guaragna still thinks there might have been a mistake.

If you watch the trailer for “Renoir” – a new period drama from French filmmaker Gilles Bourdos – a variety of adjectives are bound to come to mind: conventional, humdrum, lackluster. Sure, they’re trying to sell the story of one of the all-time great painters in a mere two minutes, but nothing about it grabs your attention – let alone, compels you to sit through the actual film. Luckily, this is not exactly the case for the movie itself, which is exquisite to look at but unfortunately devoid of any real insight into Pierre-Auguste Renoir. You come wishing to learn about the artist and his work, but instead leave dwelling on the film’s more engaging supporting characters.

Playing a role as possible spoiler, Westwood's softball team pulled it off perfectly.

It all started in 1961 in Jean Nidetch's living room in New York City. A few overweight friends met each week to talk and troubleshoot their way through a sensible but strict diet from the health department's obesity clinic.

Baseball will have a grind of a playoff schedule upcoming for those not among the top eight seeds, but softball — especially Division I — appears to be deeper than ever. Or, at least, deeper than the past five years.

Just before sunrise at a campground near Payson, Carly Stoltenberg and her husband, Steve, woke to their friends screaming, “Bear! Bear!” from a nearby tent.

Outlooks for the Divisions I and II softball state tournaments: