Bankruptcy filings near 1 million in 12 months
Nearly 1 million individuals and businesses filed bankruptcy in the 12 months ended June 30, according to U.S. Court data released Wednesday.

Democrat delegates cast votes

Barack Obama was poised to become the first African-American ever nominated for president by a major political party Wednesday after delegates to the Democratic convention began the historic nomination process.

Obama fights 'Swift Boat'-style ads
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign and its allies have begun an aggressive attack on an advertisement running in swing states that seeks to link him to former domestic terrorist William Ayers.

Gustav may reach Category 3

Gustav swirled toward Cuba on Wednesday after triggering flooding and landslides that killed at least 22 people in the Caribbean. Its track pointed toward the U.S. Gulf coast, including Louisiana.

Mugabe says he'll form new government
Zimbabwe's opposition accused President Robert Mugabe of abandoning talks aimed at forming a unity government, and said Wednesday he would fail if he tried to rule alone.

Cells switch identity in biological breakthrough
Talk about an extreme makeover: Scientists have transformed one type of cell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.

Gulf Coast watches ominous Gustav

Gulf coast residents keep a close watch on Hurricane Gustav as the third anniversary of Katrina approaches.

NYT: For Obama, a challenge to clarify

For Senator Barack Obama, the theatrics and drama of this one are overwhelming one of his most important tasks here: connecting with the economic anxiety gripping voters and convincing them that he has concrete and achievable solutions.

U.S. avoids Russia-held port

Western leaders warns Russia to "change course," hoping to keep a conflict that threatens a key nuclear pact and could even raise U.S. chicken prices from blossoming into a new Cold War.