News & Sports

Harri Anne Smith, a state senator in Alabama, has been in close contact with five-year-old Ethan's family since he was taken hostage last week. She said there are "lots of smiles" now that he's been freed and former FBI hostage negotiator Clint Van Zandt discusses the details of the case. (TODAY)

The Pakistani schoolgirl shot by the Taliban has been able to stand and communicate with staff treating her at a Birmingham hospital. NBC's Keir Simmons reports on an upbeat assessment from Malala Yousafzai's doctors. (Nightly News)

In Colorado, the parents of a missing 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway open up for the first time since their daughter disappeared on her way to school. They vow to "never stop looking." NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports. (TODAY)

In a strange turn of events, Donald Trump tweeted Rosie O'Donnell that he was starting to miss the comic and talk show host, who is recovering from her heart attack. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports. (TODAY)

The actor describes his role as a robot in the new sci-fi epic "Prometheus," and his costar Noomi Rapace reveals what it's like to work for iconic director Ridley Scott. (TODAY)

Bills coach Chan Gailey said that the Jets played well while his team played poorly. He said that he has to do a better job getting his team ready. (NBC Sports)

Giuliana Rancic's husband, Bill, tells TODAY's Ann Curry about Giuliana's recovery after breast cancer surgery, saying he and Giuliana are grateful for the support they've received from friends, family, and viewers. (TODAY)

After final pressure tests on cement used to fill the pipe that once brought up thousands of gallons of oil a day from 5,000 feet below the Gulf of Mexico, this weekend BP is scheduled to cap the deep-sea well that caused the worst oil spill in U.S. history. NBC's Anne Thompson reports from Houma, Louisiana. 

During a weekend trip to Panama City, Florida, President Obama plugged the region's tourism industry and pledged to stand by the Gulf Coast residents until the region fully recovers from the BP oil spill. NBC's Mike Viquiera reports. (Nightly News)

Suffering the late stages of congestive heart failure, former Vice President Dick Cheney underwent surgery to have a mechanical heart-assist device, known as an LVAD, implanted. Doctors say he is "doing well." NBC's Jamie Gangel reports.