2 get labor over China protest bid

Chinese authorities have ordered two women to spend one year in a labor camp after they applied to hold a protest during the Olympics against being forced from their homes, a relative said Wednesday.

McCain touts drilling agenda from oil platform

Republican presidential candidate John McCain visited an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday to call for increased offshore drilling that he claims would lower the cost of food and heating homes.

Is it really just ‘the economy, stupid'?

The battle for electoral votes will be fought in high unemployment states such as Michigan, but also in places with relatively low unemployment such as Virginia.

Rogue monkey eludes Tokyo police

A rogue monkey holed up at a Tokyo train station for more than two hours on Wednesday before giving dozens of net-wielding police officers the slip among crowds of excited children and passersby.

School spankings: Minorities get more
A quarter of a million schoolchildren were paddled in 2007 — and black children, American Indians and kids with disabilities got a disproportionate share, according to a study.

Food aid arrives for hungry Georgians

A convoy of food aid for beleaguered Georgians rumbled through a Russian checkpoint Wednesday, despite few signs by soldiers of fulfilling Moscow's promise of a pullback within two days.

Israel shuts Gaza crossings after attack
Israel has closed its cargo crossings with the Gaza Strip following a Palestinian rocket attack on southern Israel that violated a truce.

NYT: Obama's ads in key states go on attack
Senator Barack Obama has started a sustained and hard-hitting advertising campaign against Senator John McCain in states that will be vital this fall.