In a recent Reader's Digest there is a cartoon showing "fat cat" congressional types with the caption "Isn't that the real genius of democracy? The voters are ultimately to blame." Congress is planning to spend $700 billion of the taxpayers' money to bail Wall Street out of the major mess that their fat cat buddies have made without holding anyone accountable.

By Malcolm X Abram, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio Jun. 21--When Coldplay first hit the mainstream at the dawn of the century with their debut Parachutes, they were quickly tagged as a kinder, gentler and much more user-friendly Radiohead.

By Alan Light Chris Martin, 31, is possibly the most self-deprecating lead singer in pop history, constantly saying things like "I don't listen to our records because it makes me break out in tears and sweat," and "We have a rule that only the four of us can ever be onstage because we don't want to be upstaged by someone more attractive." On June 17, however, Coldplay will release its fourth album, "Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends" (Capitol), and even Martin is having a hard time retaining his modesty about it.

LONDON (Reuters) - British rock band Oasis have returned to the musical spotlight with five nominations for the 2005 Q awards, the organizers said on Tuesday.

By Ray Bennett LONDON (Hollywood Reporter) - British rock band Coldplay was given its third shot at a Mercury Prize Tuesday when its third album, the multi-million selling "X&Y" was short-listed for the highly regarded but often quirky music award that honors albums from the United Kingdom and Ireland.