Huntsman says he'd be open to run as Bachmann's VP

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman says he'd be open to running as vice president if rival and tea party favorite Michele Bachmann wins the nomination.

The former Utah governor, who was appointed ambassador to China by President Barack Obama, says that every time he's been asked to serve his country he's answered "yes." He resigned his China ambassadorial post earlier this year.

Huntsman told CNN interviewer Piers Morgan on Monday that if asked by the Minnesota congresswoman to run as her vice president he'd "be the first person to sign up, absolutely."

Huntsman tried quickly to backtrack, saying the answer was based on a hypothetical question …

Samurai fever in Japan after World Cup victory

Japan fans have celebrated in big numbers after the national team made rare progress to the second round of the World Cup.

The national team, known as Blue Samurai, beat Denmark 3-1 in its final group game Friday to reach the round of 16 for the first time ever outside …

Top five

TELEVISION

1. "NBA Finals Game 7: Detroit at San Antonio," ABC.

2. "Dancing With the Stars," ABC.

3. "NBA Finals Game 6: Detroit at San Antonio," ABC.

4. "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," CBS.

5. "Two and a Half Men," CBS.

(From Nielsen Media Research)

FILM

1. "Batman Begins," Warner Bros.

2. "Bewitched," Sony.

3. "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," 20th Century Fox.

4. "Herbie: Fully Loaded," Disney.

5. "George Romero's Land of the Dead," Universal.

(From Exhibitor Relations Co.)

HOT FIVE

1. "We Belong Together," Mariah Carey. Island.

2. "Inside Your Heaven," Bo Bice. RCA.

3. "Inside …

National Basketball Association

…

W L Pct GB

Boston 13 2 .867 _

Toronto 9 8 .529 5

New Jersey 8 8 .500 5 1/2

New York 5 10 .333 8

Philadelphia 5 11 .313 8 1/2

Southeast Division

W L Pct GB

Orlando 14 4 .778 _

Washington 8 9 .471 5 1/2

Atlanta 6 9 .400 6 1/2

Toyota faces federal, congressional probe

Federal prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into Toyota Motor Corp.'s safety problems and the Securities and Exchange Commission was probing what the automaker told investors, the company disclosed Monday. Newly released internal documents showed that Toyota officials visited with U.S. regulators years ago who "laughed and rolled their eyes in disbelief" over safety claims.

The twin developments created new public relations challenges for Toyota plus the prospects _ however likely or unlikely _ of hefty federal fines or even indictments against executives in the U.S. and Japan. They also complicate Toyota's ability to discuss details driving …

French Grand Prix Results

LE MANS, France (AP) — Results Sunday from the French Grand Prix at the 4.185-kilometer (2.6-mile) Le Mans circuit (with rider, country, motorcycle and time):

Hospital fund-raiser is successful operation

Small wonder the bright young things of the Children's ServiceBoard of Children's Memorial Medical Center were beaming.

When the excitement of their little cocktail party was over,they had more than $20,000 to contribute to the cause.

And that was just for openers. The gathering was merely apreliminary round before the main fund-raising event on Sept. 14.

The board's primary benefit is the $60 per person luncheondoings of the 34th annual Chicago Fashion Award Show in theInternational Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and Towers.

The secret of the kickoff's success was simple: The entire partywas underwritten by AT&T and Stein & Co. With such financial backing,the board was able to make a clear profit on the $50 per personticket prices plus the money from an array of pricey merchandise soldat silent auction and sundry other items.

About 180 guests turned out at AT&T's new corporate center lobbyin the Loop. The added attraction was the Chicago debut of vogueing,the dance craze from New York.

David Ian, one of New York's hot vogueing masters, came in forthe evening to lead a group ofGus Giordano dancers in the stylizedversion of runway modeling. They wore a series of Gianni Versacefashions as they did their stuff.

The board is a fund-raising auxiliary arm of the Children'sMemorial Medical Center.

Its particular cause is raising money to finance the center'stransport program, a lifesaving arrangement that provides emergencymedical attention and immediate ground and air transportation forcritically ill or injured children.