Tropical Storm Hanna takes aim at Carolinas

Tropical Storm Hanna, packing winds of 70 mph, is lashing the Southeastern U.S. coast ahead of landfall early Saturday. The storm is expected to come ashore near the South Carolina-North Carolina border. Meanwhile, forecasters are watching a powerful Hurricane Ike in the Atlantic.

Source: Bush considering Iraq troop cuts

The top U.S. general in Iraq is recommending nearly 8,000 troop cuts in Iraq because of the improving situation there, a source close to the process has told CNN.

Man with rifle, grenade caught near U.S. Capitol

Capitol Police arrested a man Friday after an officer spotted a rifle in his car when he stopped the officer to ask for directions two blocks from the Capitol building.

Rice meets with Libyan leader Gadhafi

The U.S.'s most senior diplomat Condoleezza Rice arrived in Libya on Friday -- the first time in more than half a century that a U.S. secretary of state has visited the former pariah nation

Source: U.S. may pull nuke deal to punish Russia

The Bush administration is poised to withdraw an agreement with Russia on nuclear trade as punishment for Russia's military action last month against U.S. ally Georgia, a State Department source said Friday.

Caylee's mom walks out of jail again

For the second time in 15 days, a Florida woman suspected in the disappearance of her 3-year-old daughter has left jail, this time after somebody anonymously posted the $500,000 bond.

Pop star's slaying sheds light on hidden world

Read full story for latest details.

McCain

Sen. John McCain gave his acceptance speech as the Republican presidential nominee Thursday night. Here is a look at what McCain said he would do, if elected, about a variety of topics:

Palin's swift rise is the talk of her Alaskan town

Until a week ago, only a relatively few outside Alaska knew of that state's governor, Sarah Palin. All that is different now. To many in Palin's hometown, the GOP vice presidential candidate's near-iconic status is well-deserved. After all, the high school basketball star and former beauty queen rose from Wasilla City Council member to Alaska's first female governor in less than 14 years.

FDA posts list of drugs under investigation

Read full story for latest details.

US Libya relations in 'new phase'

Relations between the US and Libya have entered a "new phase", says US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice.

'Hundreds' killed by Haiti storm

Almost 500 bodies have been found in Haiti after floodwaters caused by recent storms receded, say reports.

Pakistan set for presidency vote

Voting in Pakistan's president election starts soon, with Benazir Bhutto's widower, Asif Zardari, expected to win.

US Boeing workers set to strike

Workers at the world's biggest aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, are to go on strike in the US.

Angola parties demand fresh polls

Angola's opposition calls for fresh elections, as the government says voting will continue for a second day.

Universal flu vaccine tests start

A universal flu vaccine which could mean an end to the annual flu jab is being trialled on UK volunteers.

US job losses worse than expected

The US economy shed 84,000 jobs last month, more than expected, raising the jobless rate to a near five-year high.

Spain seizes Colombia 'drug lord'

An alleged Colombian drugs lord, known as Beto the Gypsy, is arrested in Spain

Swede 'held in cabin for years'

A woman may have been locked up in a cabin in southern Sweden for nine years, local newspapers report.

13 golf balls are removed... from inside a Labrador

A labrador has 13 golf balls removed from its stomach after eating them at a Fife golf course.

Serena to face Jankovic in final

Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic will meet in the US Open final after coming through their semis in straight sets.

Ferdinand to miss England opener

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will miss England's opening World Cup qualifier against Andorra on Saturday.

'Master plan'

Pakistan's future if presidential favourite wins

Promise of change

Anticipation and frustration as Angola votes

Thai scenarios

As tensions heat up in Bangkok, what might happen next?

Wheelchair life

Challenges facing China's disabled as Paralympics loom

It's quiz time!

What was action-man Putin up to in Siberia?

No fireworks, but McCain delivers

John McCain portrayed himself as a servant of the country and heroic war hero, the BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy reports.

Malaysia deploys navy to Somalia

Malaysia sends three navy ships to the coast of Somalia to protect vessels from piracy.

Disgraced US sprinter leaves jail

US sprinter Marion Jones leaves prison after serving a six-month sentence for lying about steroid use and involvement in a drugs fraud case.

Critics dismiss Thai referendum

A national referendum proposed by the Thai prime minister to end the political deadlock is dismissed as a stalling tactic.

Ukraine 'must live without fear'

The US vice-president reassures Ukraine that the US has a "deep and abiding interest" in the country's security.

Rice talks with Libya's Gaddafi

Condoleezza Rice meets Col Gaddafi in Libya in the latest step towards improving relations between the former enemies.

Indian hit and run driver jailed

Sanjeev Nanda, the son of a wealthy Indian arms dealer, is sentenced to five years in jail in a notorious hit and run case.

Teenager dies in flooding tragedy

A 17-year-old girl dies after a vehicle overturned while trying to cross a ford over a flooded river in Powys.

Speedy Tropical Storm Hanna charges for Carolinas

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) -- Tropical Storm Hanna cruised toward the Carolinas on Friday, forecast to hit land overnight and promising to deliver gusty winds and heavy rain during a dash up the Eastern Seaboard that could wash out the weekend for millions of people....

Obama, seeing hope in Ohio, shifts schedule there

DILLONVALE, Ohio (AP) -- So much for the full-on 50-state strategy. Call Barack Obama's implementation of national Democrats' coast-to-coast plan "Fifty-State Lite." Barack Obama's strategists say they will pick and choose where to spend time and money....

McCain, Palin get a rousing welcome in Mich., Wis.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (AP) -- John McCain and Sarah Palin got a rousing welcome Friday to the final two months of the presidential campaign, stressing themes of a strong America and concern about the sinking economy. "Tough times all over America," McCain said....

Rice meets Gadhafi on historic visit to Libya

TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) -- The United States and Libya sealed a historic turnaround after decades of terrorist killings, American retaliation, suspicions and insults with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's peacemaking visit Friday with Moammar Gadhafi, Libya's mercurial strongman....

White House: Bush wasn't detached from war review

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House on Friday disputed an assertion in a new book by Bob Woodward that President Bush was slow to react to escalating attacks in Iraq, forcefully arguing that Bush's military buildup was responsible for a sharp drop in the violence....

Wash. rampage suspect in court: 'I kill for God'

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) -- "I kill for God. I listen to God," a man accused of a northwest Washington shooting rampage said Friday at a hearing where six charges of first-degree murder and four of first-degree assault were filed against him....

Oldest gorilla in captivity dies in Dallas at 55

DALLAS (AP) -- The oldest gorilla in captivity, a 55-year-old female named Jenny, has died at the Dallas Zoo - her home for more than half a century, a spokesman said Friday....

Stand Up to Cancer telethon takes over network TV

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Skateboarder Tony Hawk, actor Shemar Moore and other celebrities said they joined in a three-network cancer telethon on Friday because the disease had touched or taken the lives of loved ones....

NJ cops kick in door over bird's cries for help

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Cries for help inside a Trenton, N.J., home turned out to be for the birds. Neighbors called police Wednesday morning after hearing a woman's persistent cry of "Help me! Help me!" coming from a house. Officers arrived and when no one answered the door, they kicked it in to make a rescue....

AL HR Carlos Quentin breaks wrist hitting own bat

CHICAGO (AP) -- American League home run leader Carlos Quentin has a broken right wrist stemming from his own temper, and the Chicago White Sox left fielder will have surgery Monday that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Quentin was injured Monday night in Cleveland. After fouling off a pitch while batting against Cliff Lee, Quentin hit his right hand on the bat as he was holding it with his left....

Bhutto's widower set to become Pakistan president

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan lawmakers were Saturday expected to elect slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's widower as president of the frontline state in the United States-led "war on terror".

US Secretary of State visits Tunisia after Kadhafi meeting

TUNIS (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Tunis early Saturday to pursue a North Africa tour after a landmark meeting in Libya with its leader Moamer Kadhafi.

US east coast braces for deadly Hanna, Hurricane Ike nears

MIAMI (AFP) - Tropical Storm Hanna closed in on the US east coast on the verge of hurricane strength after leaving 163 dead in Haiti, as a more powerful Hurricane Ike threatened Caribbean islands and the United States.

McCain attacks Obama as too weak to lead

STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan (AFP) - Republican presidential hopeful John McCain attacked his Democratic rival as too weak to lead the nation as he tried to grab Barack Obama's mantle of change.

European freighter detaches from space station

PARIS (AFP) - A European robot freighter decoupled from the International Space Station (ISS), positioning itself for a fiery, suicide descent into Earth's atmosphere.

US jobless rate jump sparks fresh recession fears

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US unemployment jumped to a five-year high of 6.1 percent in August as 84,000 jobs were slashed, according to a report Friday that sparked fresh fears about recession in the world's biggest economy.

Boeing aircraft workers to strike after talks fail: firm

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Nearly 27,000 members of Boeing's largest labor union are to go on strike after last-ditch contract talks failed on Friday, the US aviation giant and labor unions said Friday.

Afghans fed up with government, U.S.

The bearded, turbaned men gather beneath a large, leafy tree in rural eastern Nangarhar province. When Malik Mohammed speaks on their behalf, his voice is soft but his words are harsh.

Rice meets Gadhafi on Libya visit

The U.S. and Libya sealed a historic turnaround in their troubled relations with a meeting Friday between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Canada's PM to call Oct. 14 election

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper plans to dissolve Parliament on Sunday and call early elections in hopes of strengthening his minority government's hold on power.

Iraq reacts sharply to U.S. spying report

The Iraqi government reacted sharply Friday to published allegations that the U.S. spied on Iraq's prime minister, warning that future ties with the United States could be in jeopardy if the report were true.

Bush set to announce Iraq troop levels

President Bush will announce his decision on future troops levels in Iraq next week, the White House said Friday.

Newsweek: Identifying victims of Franco's Spain

For the first time, Spanish authorities are investigating the unmarked mass graves that hold tens of thousands of Francisco Franco's victims.

Pakistan restores 3 ousted judges

Pakistan's Supreme Court on Friday reinstated three judges ousted by Pervez Musharraf, cementing political divisions in the country a day before it elects a new president.

World Blog: Pakistanis worry about Zardari rule

Asif Ali Zardari, widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, is poised to win Pakistan’s presidency Saturday. But critics say he is too corrupt to turn this reeling nation around.

495 corpses found after Haiti floods

Haitian police found 495 corpses when muddy floodwaters began to recede on Friday from the port city of Gonaives following days of heavy rain from Tropical Storm Hanna, an official said.

Cheney blasts Russia's 'threat of tyranny'

The United States is committed to Ukraine's security and freedom, U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney pledged Friday.

U.S. Navy ship anchors outside Georgia

The flagship of the U.S. Navy's Mediterranean fleet anchored outside a key Georgian port Friday, defiantly bringing in tons of humanitarian aid to a city still partly occupied by hundreds of Russian troops.

U.S. offers aid to Gustav-blasted Cuba

The U.S.  has offered Cuba in emergency aid for the victims of Hurricane Gustav and is willing to send far more if a U.S.-approved disaster assessment team is allowed in for assessment.

World markets plunge after U.S. sell-off

World stock markets fell sharply Friday in the wake of a sell-off on Wall Street amid mounting concerns about a slumping U.S. economy and its impact on global growth.

Singer's slaying turns into Mideast drama

It's the Mideast version of a sordid soap opera. A Lebanese pop star is murdered. Arrested in her death: A well-connected Egyptian businessmen, accused of paying $2 million to have her killed.

Possible U.S. strike kills 5 in Pakistan

An explosion possibly caused by a missile strike killed five suspected foreign militants near the Afghan border on Friday, Pakistani officials said.

Europe's downturn deters African migration

Europe's economic downturn is deterring would-be migrants in Africa from making the often perilous journey to the continent in search of work, migration experts said.

U.S. spied on Iraqi leaders, book says

Journalist's new book reveals sharp dissent within administration and points to "groundbreaking" covert techniques that shaped course of the war.

Moussaoui Juror Falls Ill; Deliberations to Resume Friday

Iran Test-Fires Another 'Top Secret' Missile

Duke Lacrosse Coach Resigns Amid Rape Flap

100 Homes Threatened by Weakened Dam in Northern California

Video Claims to Show Insurgents Dragging Burning Body of U.S

DHS Press Secretary Arrested on Child Seduction Charges

Saddam Dodges Questions From Prosecutors

Kidnapped Brothers Killed in Venezuela

French Unions: Repeal Labor Law in 10 Days, or Else

Three Arrested, Man Shot in 'Baby Shower Gone Bad'

EU split over Ukraine's path to membership

Poles, Czechs, British, Swedes and Baltic states are pressing for language stating that Ukraine will join the Union.

Cheney pledges U.S. support for Ukraine

As tensions with Moscow continue, Vice President Dick Cheney asserted that the U.S. would act as a guarantor for the country that was part of the former Soviet Union.

Cheney backs membership in NATO for Georgia

Vice President Dick Cheney was in Georgia, where his words of support placed him on a direct collision course with Russia's leaders.

U.S. to withdraw proposed nuclear pact with Russia

The Bush administration will withdraw a civilian nuclear pact with Russia soon as a penalty for its invasion of Georgia last month, a State Department official said Friday.

War splits Orthodox churches in Russia and Georgia

August war was first between two Orthodox nations since Second Balkan War of 1913.

U.S. defends Georgia's right to join NATO

Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a forceful American pledge to rebuild Georgia and its economy, to preserve its sovereignty and its territory and to bring it into the NATO alliance.

Nicaragua recognizes independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Nicaragua has recognized the two breakaway Georgian regions, backing the Russia and siding with other leftist Latin American countries to defy Washington.

Spain arrests suspected drug trafficker

The police in Spain said Friday that they had arrested a suspected Colombian drug trafficker wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ukraine government near collapse

The Western-leaning governing coalition in Ukraine, which has endured repeated tumult since the Orange Revolution in 2004, appeared once again near collapse.

Spanish tourism feels pinch of economic downturn

After 50 years of uninterrupted growth, Spain's overbuilt and relatively expensive resorts seem ill-placed to cope with the crisis, at a time of increasing competition from cheaper, less-crowded destinations like Croatia and Turkey.

Truce in oil battle between BP and Russian partners

Both sides made concessions, with the Russian oligarchs obtaining greater managerial control while BP retained its share of the oil profits.

Can the West tame Moscow's behavior through Russia's oligarchs?

Some Europeans and critics of the Kremlin favor putting more pressure on the global financial interests of Russian billionaires.

Taliban bring the war home to France

Paris Match magazine publishes six pages of photographs showing insurgents with gear taken from ambushed French soldiers.

Poll displays West's economic pessimism

People in Western Europe and the United States share an extremely negative view of the economy and place the blame squarely on their national governments, a new survey shows.

Spain moves toward amending legal restrictions on abortion

Spain's move seeks to address one of the major elements in a drive for sweeping social change in this traditional, Roman Catholic country.

Ice suspected in BA crash

British air safety investigators said Thursday that the crash of a Boeing 777 on approach to London Heathrow Airport on Jan. 17 was "most probably" caused by ice within the fuel system.

EU split over Ukraine's path to membership

Poles, Czechs, British, Swedes and Baltic states are pressing for language stating that Ukraine will join the Union.

Cheney pledges U.S. support for Ukraine

As tensions with Moscow continue, Vice President Dick Cheney asserted that the U.S. would act as a guarantor for the country that was part of the former Soviet Union.

Cheney backs membership in NATO for Georgia

Vice President Dick Cheney was in Georgia, where his words of support placed him on a direct collision course with Russia's leaders.

U.S. to withdraw proposed nuclear pact with Russia

The Bush administration will withdraw a civilian nuclear pact with Russia soon as a penalty for its invasion of Georgia last month, a State Department official said Friday.

War splits Orthodox churches in Russia and Georgia

August war was first between two Orthodox nations since Second Balkan War of 1913.

U.S. defends Georgia's right to join NATO

Vice President Dick Cheney delivered a forceful American pledge to rebuild Georgia and its economy, to preserve its sovereignty and its territory and to bring it into the NATO alliance.

Nicaragua recognizes independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia

Nicaragua has recognized the two breakaway Georgian regions, backing the Russia and siding with other leftist Latin American countries to defy Washington.

Spain arrests suspected drug trafficker

The police in Spain said Friday that they had arrested a suspected Colombian drug trafficker wanted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ukraine government near collapse

The Western-leaning governing coalition in Ukraine, which has endured repeated tumult since the Orange Revolution in 2004, appeared once again near collapse.