Draft pact: Iraq could prosecute U.S. troops
Iraq would have first crack at prosecuting  U.S. troops and contractors accused of major crimes committed outside U.S. bases and when off duty, under a draft security pact, Iraqi officials said.

Madonna and Guy Ritchie to divorce

Madonna and filmmaker Guy Ritchie will end their marriage after nearly eight years, the couple said in a joint statement Wednesday.

Suit against God tossed over lack of address
A judge has thrown out a Nebraska legislator's lawsuit against God, saying the Almighty wasn't properly served due to his unlisted home address.

Respite in winds helps L.A.-area firefighters

A respite in Santa Ana winds allowed firefighters to beat back flames that continued to whirl dangerously close to homes Wednesday morning along the northwestern suburbs of Los Angeles.

Phillies top L.A., head to World Series

Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff homer and scored twice as the Philadelphia Phillies won their first pennant in 15 years by beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 5 of the NLCS on Wednesday night.

Fact check: Candidates again twist truth
Facts went astray once again before a large national audience when Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain engaged in their final presidential debate on Wednesday.

Sheriff: Family cremated mom on barbecue

Authorities say relatives of a deceased Tehama County woman cremated her remains on a makeshift barbecue and continued collecting her retirement checks.

U.S.: Al-Qaida in Iraq's No. 2 killed

American soldiers killed the alleged No. 2 leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, a Moroccan who trained in Afghanistan, recruited foreign fighters and ran operations in northern Iraq where Sunni insurgents remain a potent threat, the U.S. military said Wednesday.

Japanese stock market takes big dive
Asian stocks plummeted Thursday, with Tokyo's market plunging more than 10 percent, after another dive on Wall Street fueled by heightened fears of a global recession.