Pavarotti back home

Italian opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti returned home from the hospital, more than two weeks after checking in with a high fever linked to his treatment for pancreatic cancer. Doctors released Pavarotti from the Polyclinic in Modena, Italy, yesterday according to an statement e-mailed from the hospital. Pavarotti, 71, has recovered from the fever and his health has "stabilized" so that "the patient can continue his convalescence in the serenity of the family environment," the statement said. The singer had surgery for pancreatic cancer in New York in July 2006. (BLOOMBERG)

Hot dogs from a Times Square street vendor? Helicopter to a Hurricane Katrina benefit in the Hamptons? All part of Brangelina's whirlwind New York weekend. Megastars Brad Pitt (inset) and Angelina Jolie were spotted Friday with kids Maddox, Zahara, and Pax shopping at Lee's Art Shop on West 57th Street. Baby Shiloh was not there. According to the New York Post, the family then headed toward Times Square, where Pitt ordered five hot dogs from a street vendor, three with ketchup and mustard, two with just ketchup. "I didn't know who he was," said vendor Mahmoud Omer, who added that Pitt wanted relish but he didn't have any. The "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" stars enjoyed a culinary upgrade Saturday when they attended a fund-raiser at the home of Tribeca Film Festival cofounders Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in Watermill, N.Y. The Daily News reported Sunday that Pitt and Jolie left the kids with nannies and helicoptered to the Hamptons for the event, where they were joined by Christie Brinkley, Ellen Barkin, and Jimmy Buffett. The dinner was a benefit for Pitt's Make It Right project, which is focused on rebuilding New Orleans' Ninth Ward with environmentally friendly homes. (AP)

Deputies searching the home of rapper DMX during an investigation into claims of animal cruelty found about a half-pound of suspected illegal narcotics, the Maricopa County sheriff said. No charges have been filed or arrests made. Sheriff Joe Arpaio said the investigation into alleged animal cruelty was ongoing, and the suspected drugs were being tested to confirm their content. Friday's search was prompted by reports that pit bulls kept by the rapper at the home in rural north Phoenix were not being given enough food or water. A dozen pit bulls were seized, the bodies of three dogs were dug up in the yard, and a variety of assault-style weapons were taken from the home. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, was not at home and his lawyer said he hasn't been there for two months. Arpaio said there was no indication the dogs were used in fights. (AP)

While driving his SUV, director John Singleton accidentally struck a woman who was jaywalking on a South Los Angeles street Thursday evening, according to LA police. Constance Russell, 57, of LA was taken to a local hospital and died later Friday morning. "Mr. Singleton stopped immediately and later identified himself to police," says LA police spokesman Jason Lee. "He was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He was cooperative and was questioned and released. . . . There will be no criminal charges." (PEOPLE.COM)