Hollywood

An investigation unfolding near the iconic Hollywood sign in Los Angeles is playing out like a gory movie script, as police worked to identity a man whose body was found in parts over the past two days - first a head on Tuesday, then two hands and two feet on Wednesday (local time).

Hikers in the Hollywood Hills found a human head in a plastic bag when two of their dogs began playing with the object, Los Angeles police said.

An arsonist swept through the Hollywood area under the cover of dark early on Friday (local time), torching vehicles whose flames ignited nearby houses, including one once occupied by Doors frontman Jim Morrison.

A North Shore builder about to become a father has won a trip for four to Hollywood and $100,000 on a Big Wednesday lottery competition.

It's one thing for an actor to be famous at 20. It's quite another to be washed up at 22.