Nation & World news

McCain: "I work for you."

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sen. John McCain completed a long and often improbable journey to the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night, offering himself as an "imperfect servant" who will never surrender in his fight to change Washington and the country.

U.S. spied on Iraq's leader, book claims

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration has conducted an extensive spying operation on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, his staff and others in the Iraqi government, according to a new book by Washington Post editor and author Bob Woodward.

Congressman describes Obama, wife as 'uppity'

WASHINGTON – A Republican lawmaker is facing criticism over using the racially charged term "uppity" to describe Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, on Thursday.

Pentagon recommends delay in Iraq withdrawals

WASHINGTON – Pentagon leaders have recommended to President Bush that the United States make no further troop reductions in Iraq this year, administration officials said Thursday.

Soldiers' suicide rate may set record

WASHINGTON – Soldier suicides this year could surpass the record rate of last year, Army officials said Thursday, urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force strained by two wars.

Obama acknowledges success of surge

In a much-anticipated interview with conservative nemesis Bill O'Reilly, Sen. Barack Obama said Thursday the troop surge in Iraq had "succeeded in ways that nobody anticipated" and "beyond our wildest dreams."

More raids in Pakistan possible, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON – With angry protests spreading in Pakistan, Pentagon officials said Thursday that the number of cross-border commando missions might grow in coming months to counter increasing violence in Afghanistan.

Cheney stresses Georgia support, lambastes Russia

TBILISI, Georgia – Vice President Dick Cheney assured Georgian leaders Thursday that the U.S. is "fully committed" to Georgia's pursuit of NATO membership, an assurance likely to further anger a Kremlin bent on keeping the Western military alliance out of former Soviet territory.

EPA limits emissions from lawn mowers, boats

WASHINGTON – The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday tightened emissions standards for new gas-powered lawn mowers, weed trimmers and boat engines, reducing the amount of smog-causing pollution these motors will be allowed to emit.

Nation in brief: Mayor sentenced, quits in plea deal

Ending a seven-month political soap opera that consumed the city, Detroit Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick pleaded guilty Thursday to two felonies related to his affair with a top aide and resigned from office.

U.S. next for Hanna; Hurricane Ike looms

NASSAU, Bahamas – Tropical Storm Hanna roared past the edge of the Bahamas on Thursday ahead of a possible hurricane hit on the Carolinas, leaving behind at least 137 dead in Haiti.

Wrong federal phone number leads to phone-sex line

WASHINGTON – People calling a federal phone number to order duck stamps are instead greeted by a phone-sex line, due to a printing error the government says would be too expensive to correct.

Asian elephant completes rehab for heroin addiction

BEIJING – An Asian elephant that became addicted to heroin at the hands of illegal traders will return home after a three-year rehab program, Chinese state media said Thursday.

World in brief: Ex-foreign minister to seek top spot

Japan's brash, right-leaning former foreign minister announced today that he would run for ruling party president in a move that would put him on track to take over as Japan's next prime minister.

Palin lashes out at critics, Obama

Study of vaccine finds no connection to autism

Drug-use trends changed little in '07, federal data show

U.S. acknowledges raid in Pakistan

New method helps detect breast cancer

Gulf evacuees begin returning home

Blustery Hanna bears down on Bahamas

Nation in brief: Plea bargain with mayor near

Palin's involvement with Guard limited

McCain will try to rebrand GOP in his image

U.S. offers Georgia $1 billion in aid

North Korea backs off nuclear deal

Manhattan-sized ice sheet loose in Canadian Arctic

Russia pours aid, workers into S. Ossetia

World in brief: Thailand PM says he won't step down

General presses Pentagon for new tankers

Palin takes spotlight tonight in St. Paul

Jerry Reed, singer, actor, dies at age 71

Feds allege Boeing overcharged Air Force

Gulf Coast evacuees told not to return home yet

Hanna floods low-lying Haitian city

Nation in brief: Same-sex marriage challenge rejected

Gene variant linked to marital discord

Students go to suburb to protest funding inequity

Gonzales mishandled top-secret paperwork

Band offers $1 million in nightclub fire lawsuits

Teen suicides down, but still high

Smoking puts heart at great risk in women

World in brief: Evidence shows death toll lower

Bush praises McCain's leadership

Palin had ties to Alaskan Independence Party

Daughter's boyfriend to join the Palins in St. Paul

Terrorism suspect had notes on 'mass casualty attack'

Rice launches Mideast trip with Libya visit

At least 15 killed in Pakistan border attack

Gustav soaks Gulf Coast

GOP convention gavel falls amid distractions

Palin family's impact on female voters murky

U.S. returns control of Anbar to Iraqis

Japanese prime minister resigns amid struggles

Emergency measures instituted in Bangkok

Weakened storm spares most Gulf oil operations

Federal funds flowed to town while Palin mayor

Hurricane derails GOP convention

Russia pledges military aid to two provinces

California forges ahead, budgetless

Mayor reportedly proposes plea deal

Gulf Coast waits as Cuba faces cleanup

Critics go after Palin on bridge

Hurricane prompts stations to pull back convention coverage

Mexico's president agrees to crime-fighting measures

Palestinian leader rejects interim peace deal

New Orleans residents flee

Italy to compensate Libya for colonial rule

Fired official cites calls, e-mails from Palin

Ron Paul devotees gather for convention of their own

Admiral explains destroyer halt

Former NYPD detective arrested as 'Bling Bandit'

Nation in brief: Fisherman pulls shark from lake

Shake-up by al-Maliki suggests talks stalled

Joint inquiry to address Afghan deaths

U.N. says Georgians being kept from homes

Port is strategic element of standoff with Russia

In Passing

Tens of thousands rally against violence in Mexico

World in brief: Rain hampering quake aid efforts

White House readies response

Oil, business groups sue over polar bears

Amazon deforestation up sharply

Microbes might play role in premature births

McCain's bold choice

Drug wars claim new territory

Airliners nearly collide over Atlantic

NASA may postpone retirement of shuttle

Georgia cuts diplomatic ties to protest Russian incursion

In brief: Karadzic won't recognize tribunal

Deadly Hurricane Gustav moves through Caymans

Edwards returning to public arena

Palin supports drilling, opposes species protection

Obama: 'We cannot turn back'

Gulf Coast prepares for tropical storm

Brutally frank want ad gains notoriety, lands nanny

Gustav torments Caribbean

Nation in brief: Walkway cover collapses, 16 hurt

Putin hints at U.S. presence in Georgia

Ex-Marine acquitted in killing of Iraqis

Senior Iraqi official suspected of militia links

World in brief: U.S., Pakistani commanders meet

Retailers pull Simplicity bassinets from shelves

Obama completes his historic pursuit

Study finds students binge drink on big 2-1

Research is step toward transforming cells

New Orleans prepares for Gustav

Mexico's top court backs abortion law

World in brief: U.S. to sell missiles to Taiwan

Canada reasserts claim to NW Passage

Abducted Japanese aid worker's body found

Marines handing over control of Anbar

U.S. aid ship avoids conflict with Russians

Nine killed in bomb blast in northwest Pakistan

Quarter of U.S. spying jobs outsourced to contractors

Battle over attorneys' firings escalates

Alaska incumbents show vulnerability in primary

Obama's challenge: Win over America

For older black delegates, today is a dream fulfilled

Lesbian activist Del Martin dies

Boeing to send final offer to Machinists

Rap star 'Suge' Knight arrested on assault charges

'No way, no how, no McCain,' Clinton says

Gustav loses punch as it hits strikes Haiti

Russia embraces separatist enclaves

U.N.: U.S.-led airstrike killed 90 Afghan civilians

U.S. ship diverted from port

Feds say men posed no threat to Obama

Convention TV ratings beat 2004's first night

FAA blames glitch for widespread delays

Tijuana officials fear stepped-up drug war

World in brief: N. Korea suspends dismantling nukes

Study questions safety of ayurvedic medicines

Passing the torch in Denver

Dementia afflicts Britain's Thatcher

Al-Maliki insists on withdrawal date

Young suicide bomber found dazed, wandering

Teachers allowed to carry guns in small Texas school district

Ailing Kennedy forceful in rallying crowd

FBI probes threats; 3 arrested

Cheney to visit Georgia, 2 other ex-Soviet republics

Zimbabwe opposition wins key post

Former prime minister's exit splinters Pakistan's coalition

World in brief: Ahmadinejad gets endorsement

Cows may have internal compass

Santa Barbara holds drilling vote

Gustav gathering strength; Haiti braces for hurricane

Nation in brief: Eight escape from county jail

Denver primed to show off in convention spotlight

Long-lasting Fay brings more floods

Almanac airs winter predictions

U.S. deaths top 100 this year

Blasts mar Georgians' return

Dozens dead in Kyrgyzstan crash

World in brief: Suicide bomber kills 25 at party

Health coverage in peril for California children

Cab with sleepy driver hits cyclists, injuring 11

Campaign roundup: Michigan, Florida regain delegate power

Obama banks on Biden as elder statesman, insider

Typo fixers run afoul of the letter of the law

Lottery numbers

Civilian deaths alleged in attack

Nebraska's 'safe-haven' law lets parents abandon kids up to 19

Fay weakens, stays dangerous

'Nightline' producer who chronicled cancer dies

In Passing: Maudie Hopkins, Confederate widow

Utah plane crash kills 10

Amid tales of Georgia violence, death toll still unclear

Russian troops patrol port city

States head effort to rebuild Mexico's justice system

Bhutto's widower to run for president

Biden may offset Obama's weak spots

Biden wastes no time taking it to McCain

Peace Corps battling expected budget shortfall

Magpies recognize themselves in mirror

Obama taps Biden for No. 2 spot

Sen. Joe Biden

Driver hits grizzly on Anchorage street

Russia withdrawing much of its force from Georgia

Boeing threatens to drop out of competition for new tanker

McCain colleague: Russia must be checked

In brief: Party nominates Bhutto's widower

Iraq's al-Sadr plans to make Iran his home base for years

Bomb kills six police officers

In brief: Strip searches ruled unconstitutional

Rule offers workers an opt-out on abortion

FDA investigates possible Vytorin link to cancer

Wisconsin husband and wife each win lottery jackpots, twice

Rice meets with al-Maliki in Baghdad

Soaked Floridians coping with gators displaced by Fay

Few takers for self-deportation

Alabama state workers could pay for obesity

Suicide bombers kill 60 at Pakistani weapons plant

Russia sends mixed signals in Georgia

Officials euthanize lost baby whale in Australia

McCain draws a blank on homes

Officials say threatening letters sent to two McCain offices

Obama picks running mate; won't say who

Calderon condemns 'cancer of criminality'

Mexico's GDP on the rise

FDA allowing irradiation of fresh spinach, lettuce

Feds say fire brought down WTC 7 building

High school student killed by classmate

Lieberman to speak at GOP convention

McCain now says Western water deal should stand as is

U.S., Iraq draft timeline for pullback

Spanish jet crashes on takeoff; 153 killed

Alaska senator's trial will be held in D.C.

Rising Democratic lawmaker dies at 58

U.S., Poland sign agreement for missile defense base

Russia plans checkpoints in Georgia

Elderly Chinese women punished for applying for protest permits

World in brief: Car bombs hit hotel, military HQ

Fay flooding central Florida

Nation in brief: 11 life sentences for Metrolink crash

Democrats favor Biden to be Obama's No. 2

Former Chinese leader Hua dies at 87

Bigfoot 'discovery' a hoax, researchers report on Web site

Scientists create blood from stem cells

Fay gains strength after coming ashore in Florida

Study suggests link between trace arsenic, Type 2 diabetes

Nation in brief: Warren Jeffs' wife, 14, sent to foster care

10 French soldiers killed; six bombers target U.S. base

Iraqi security forces kill official in Diyala raid

World in brief: Five states call for general strike

NATO issues mild warning to Russia

Suicide bomber kills dozens at Algerian police academy

Obama takes offensive with McCain on Iraq

Survey shows presidential race in a virtual tie

Environmentalists sue to protect pika threatened by warming

Dave Matthews' saxophonist dies

Unattended for 22 hours, patient dies at hospital.

Musharraf exit will test fledgling government

Village evacuated after Grand Canyon flooding

Georgia remains under siege

Hispanic birth rates keep U.S. population stable

Court bans bias in medical treatment

College presidents seek debate on drinking age

Vietnam releases Gary Glitter from prison, plans to deport him

Nation in brief: Detroit City Council can't remove mayor

Tropical Storm Fay lashes Florida

Feds urge stronger warning on Byetta

Iraq disarms U.S.-backed Sunni fighters

Obama may delay announcement

Chavez government seizes Venezuela cement plants

Kremlin to begin limited pullback

Kempthorne can't reclaim mediator role

65-year-old matador gets back in the ring

Soldiers say barracks were mold-infested

Florida Keys brace for storm

Officials want sect children back in custody

Floods breach Grand Canyon dam

Obama returns to campaign trail

Muslim rebels attack villages

Condition on ground belies Russian report

World in brief: At least 15 killed in suicide bombing

Phenomenal Phelps the new gold standard

Bear attacks have Anchorage on edge

Tropical storm leaves four dead

Obama, McCain speak at California megachurch

Obama packs fundraising wallop in July

Russia's next front: Energy

Forces move into Abkhazia despite truce

Thousands turn out for Bernie Mac funeral

In Passing: Darren 'Bo' Taylor, gang peace broker

Mother, group charged in child's death

In brief: Fire claims seven; three hospitalized

Egyptian woman gives birth to seven

In brief: Zimbabwe power-sharing plan offered

Third bombing kills more pilgrims

Contractors involved in Baghdad shooting likely to be charged

Group seizes Hawaiian palace

Plan eases spying rules

Harsh rhetoric flies between Russia, U.S.

Strangers lift bus off pregnant woman

FDA: No health risks using food containers with BPA

New president breaks one-party rule

In brief: Obama staff seeks big donations

Iraqi assassins training in Iran, U.S. alleges

Car bomb kills more Shiite pilgrims

Stevens made quick $100,000, prosecutors say

Georgia men claim to have body of Bigfoot in freezer

Record producer Wexler dies at 91

Tropical storm in Caribbean

Pakistan's Musharraf expected to quit soon

U.S. won't send troops to Georgia

Investigation tarnishes Alaska's Gov. Palin

Singer suing McCain for using 'Running on Empty'

U.S., Poland agree on missile deal

Georgia crisis could complicate Iraq withdrawal

Female suicide bomber kills 20 during pilgrimage in Iraq

Highway fatalities are down sharply

Televangelist's wife wins assault case

Edwards aide explains payment to mistress

32 protesters arrested outside Disneyland

Nation in brief: Medicare monthly premiums increase

Ocean 'dead zones' are showing up everywhere

World in brief: Libya, U.S. settle terrorism lawsuits

Clinton will get roll-call vote at convention

Tension with Russia is trouble for NASA

Rice heads to Georgia as Bush promises aid effort

Julia Child among spies for U.S. during WWII

Pelosi considers offshore drilling

Lebanon, Syria ease long diplomatic chill

Leading Arkansas Democrat shot dead

Census projection: Minorities to become majority by 2042

Mark Warner chosen for keynote address

'Enthusiastic supporter' injures Cindy McCain

Infant transplant procedure ignites debate

Lionfish spell big trouble for sensitive Caribbean

Nation in brief: Firefighting costs crippling budget

Airstrike kills nine in Pakistan tribal region

Putin still ruling over Russia

Multiple platforms are golden for NBC

Outgunned Georgian president accepts Russia's truce proposal

New Air Force chief tackles service's failings

Al-Qaida's No. 3 reportedly killed

Breast cancer return risk low for 5-year survivors

Mukasey: No plans to seek charges in Gonzales hirings

Cheerleading is a major cause of injuries

Nation in brief: Boeing still in tanker competition

Relations with Russia are likely to suffer

Beijing Olympics lip-syncing sparks debate

Iraq contracts have cost U.S. billions, report says

Suicide bomber dressed as woman

World in brief: Reports differ on power-sharing deal

On Georgia, a war of words

Humpback on 'road to recovery'

Endangered Species Act overhaul proposed

Boeing may drop out of tanker bidding battle

Athletes, primates share victory stance

Nation in brief: Suit filed against California controller

Al-Qaida threatens Musharraf

Egypt upgrading security, ambience at Giza Pyramids

Jordan's King Abdullah strengthens ties to Iraq

Ousted Thai leader jumps bail

World in brief: Prime minister condemns coup

Russian forces open second front

Georgia president's gamble may end NATO aspirations

No guns at Atlanta airport, judge says

Study weighs in: Hefty may not mean unhealthy

Execution set for infamous Texas killer

Russian forces push into Georgia

Photogenic arch gives in to gravity

Singer, songwriter Isaac Hayes dead at 65

Bus service pulled after fatal Texas crash

Nation in brief: Casino bus accident leaves three dead

Suicide bombing kills U.S. soldier

Bolivian president survives election test

World in brief: One dead as blasts force evacuations

Phelps earns his first gold

New York experiments with traffic-free zone

American killed in Beijing stabbing attack

Officials tackle Iraq water issues

Former Edwards aide rules out paternity test

In brief: At least 31 killed in mine mudslide

Comedian, film star Bernie Mac dies at 50

Same-sex divorce filing comes weeks after marriage

Bolivia holds referendum

Palestinian poet Darwish dies at 67

Cloned puppies uncover 31-year-old mystery

Democrats vote on party platform

Mexico's drug wars fought with U.S. arms

Service honors anthrax suspect

Russia, Georgia at brink of war

Hollywood producer Bernie Brillstein dies

Edwards admits to affair in 2006

Elizabeth Edwards asks for privacy in her latest ordeal

Texas bus crash kills 15 pilgrims

Al-Sadr proposes militia breakup

In brief: Kilpatrick charged with more felonies

Investigation of bio-labs grows

Deal near on troop pullout, Iraqis say

Feline fashionistas benefit animal welfare

Bin Laden driver given short sentence

Leaders move to impeach Musharraf

Bear shot, killed in B.C. yard

McCain calls for probe of company he once helped

Detroit mayor jailed after trip to Canada

China rebuffs Bush over rights criticisms

Reports: South Ossetia region under heavy fire

War claims 500 soldiers

Nation in brief: Man in 'Greatest Dad' shirt guilty of sex abuse

Pentagon reopens tanker bids

Old age sobers up drinkers, study says

FBI unveils case against anthrax suspect

Nader gets on ballot in California, vows more

Jury convicts bin Laden's ex-driver

Army commanders oust leader, seize control in Mauritania

Rodeo star, 14 horses die in crash

Nine presumed dead in fire copter crash

Rocket carrying Doohan's remains fails

Nation in brief: Eight biker gang members arrested

L.A. hospitals used homeless in Medicare fraud, authorities allege

China uses restraint with foreign activists

Bush chides China for dissidents' treatment

Iraqi lawmakers fail to agree on elections

Chavez's decrees spark protests

Gun-control groups oust alleged NRA spy

FBI to present evidence in anthrax investigation

Iraq oil income to more than double

Bush says N. Korea must work to get off terror list

Bush aide denies Iraq documents falsified

Iran's reply to nuclear offer 'unacceptable'

Rapist, murderer executed in Texas amid controversy

Federal agent shot, killed in apparent road rage incident

Nation in brief: Crews begin storm cleanup

Visit puts focus on nuclear power

McCain backer rallies support from odd donors

Six GOP senators will skip convention

Black reporter told to leave Florida rally

Getting married standing on a biplane?

NASA scientists find toxic chemical in Martian soil

World in brief: Beheading suspect: 'Please kill me'

Robert Maheu, CIA spy and tycoon aide, dies at 90

Candidates focus on quick relief from high gas prices

K2 survivor tells of panic

End prostate tests on elderly, panel urges

Tornado warnings empty Wrigley Field

Guantanamo interrogations may be on tape

Al-Qaida suspect brought to U.S.

Bush tells troops Iraq not 'hopeless'

Nation in brief: Overweight inmate fighting execution

Tire pressure kicked around as campaign issue

A not-so-modest Obama birthday wish

World in brief: Lowland gorilla census is encouraging