News In Brief

UPSTAIRS, DOWNSTAIRS Someone is giving a lot of folks the shaft in the Russian city of Volgograd. News reports say no fewer than 70 elevators in high-rise apartment buildings around town have been disabled because thieves stole their transformer connections - leaving residents no choice but to walk. Electrical parts in the economically challenged former Soviet Union are often stolen for resale.

LOOK OUT BELOW! Volgograd's problem probably wouldn't bother workout-equipment salesman Mark Kenney, though. Earlier this week, he set a new world record by descending all 1,200 steps in New York's Citicorp skyscraper in 51 minutes, 22 seconds. That works out to one every 2.57 seconds, which may not seem impressive until you consider that he accomplished the feat by walking on his hands.

25 'most significant' stars in history of American film The 25 stars and star pairings, chosen by Associated Press entertainment writers and editors for their contributions to the art and lore of the American motion picture:

Charlie Chaplin Mary Pickford Lillian Gish Douglas Fairbanks Rudolph Valentino Greta Garbo Stan Laurel/Oliver Hardy Clark Gable James Cagney Judy Garland Cary Grant Katharine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers Bette Davis Shirley Temple Humphrey Bogart/Lauren Bacall John Wayne James Stewart Marlon Brando Marilyn Monroe Sidney Poitier Jack Nicholson Meryl Streep Arnold Schwarzenegger Mickey Mouse