McCain strikes back at Obama ally

Republican John McCain, the clock ticking down on a chance to narrow Democrat Barack Obama's lead in polls, on Saturday fended off comments comparing him to a well-known segregationist.

Release of ‘Jewel of Medina' delayed in UK

A British company has delayed publication of a controversial novel about one of the Prophet Muhammad's wives after its offices were fire-bombed. The author, American Sherry Jones, has also cancelled a publicity tour to Germany.

Snake bites mailman — who finishes rounds
Forget rain, sleet or snow. The bite of a poisonous snake wasn't enough to keep a Florida mail carrier from his appointed rounds Friday.

IMF warns of global financial meltdown

The International Monetary Fund warned Saturday that debt-ridden banks were pushing the global financial system to the brink of meltdown and rich nations had so far failed to restore confidence.

Palin at times blurred church-state line

As mayor and governor, Sarah Palin used elected office to promote religious causes, sometimes at taxpayer expense and in ways that blur the line between church and state.

FBI releases files on Jack Anderson

In caustic comments on internal FBI memos, bureau director J. Edgar Hoover referred to prominent columnist Jack Anderson with undisguised contempt, calling him "a jackal."

Norbert weakens on approach to mainland

Hurricane Norbert swept across Mexico's southern Baja California peninsula on Saturday, tearing off roofs and forcing hundreds of people to flee flooded homes.

2,500 flee chemical leak in western Pa.
A corrosive liquid overflows a tank at a chemical plant in western Pennsylvania, evaporating into a toxic cloud that snaked along the ground and forced about 2,500 to flee.