Yahoo! News: Top Stories
Top Stories


McCain, Obama clash over economic crisis (AP)

AP - Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for sweeping action by the government to directly shield many homeowners from mortgage foreclosure.

Analysis: Obama gains, McCain seeks game-changer (AP)

AP - Barack Obama made strides toward easing voters' concerns about his candidacy in Tuesday night's debate. John McCain, despite raising pointed questions about his rival's readiness, didn't create the game-changing moment he'll need between now and Election Day.

Asian stocks plunge on unabated credit market woes (AP)

AP - Asian stock markets plunged Wednesday as recent steps by the world's major economies to fortify credit markets failed to stem escalating fears that the spreading financial crisis could spawn a global recession.

Norbert strengthens into Category 2 hurricane (AP)

AP - Hurricane Norbert strengthened into a powerful Category 2 storm over the Pacific Ocean and forecasters warned that it could reach Mexico's Baja California peninsula by the weekend.

300 suspected illegal immigrants caught in SC raid (AP)

AP - Federal agents swept through a chicken processing plant Tuesday, detaining more than 300 suspected illegal immigrants, sending panicked workers running and screaming through the hallways. Worried relatives collected outside, fearful their loved ones would be deported.

AP Exclusive: Documents say detainee near insanity (AP)

AP - A U.S. military officer warned Pentagon officials that an American detainee was being driven nearly insane by months of punishing isolation and sensory deprivation in a U.S. military brig, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

Future of flagship Mars mission up in the air (AP)

AP - Will NASA's flagship mission to Mars fly next year? The space agency could decide as early as Friday whether to cancel, delay or proceed with plans to launch a nuclear-powered, SUV-size rover to the red planet.

Half-ton Mexican man dies after pleading for help (AP)

AP - A 450-kilogram (990-pound), bedridden man who had appealed on Mexican television for help tackling his weight problem died Tuesday of heart failure, his family said.

Travis Barker thankful to be alive after jet crash (AP)

AP - Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, who always has been afraid of flying, says he's glad to be alive after suffering severe burns in a fiery plane crash last month.

Bosox-Rays renew rivalry, Manny in middle of NLCS (AP)

AP - Exactly why the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays tangle so much is hard to tell. Blame it on a high-and-tight pitch here, a hard slide there. Whatever, this much is true: The teams playing in the AL championship series sure get into a lot of scraps. "There's no hatred," injured Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling insisted Tuesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press.

Obama, McCain battle in tense debate (Reuters)

Reuters - Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama battled over taxes and the best way to help struggling American workers on Tuesday during a sometimes tense presidential debate that highlighted a wide gap in their economic approaches.

Asian stocks tumble; UK readies bank rescue (Reuters)

Reuters - Asian stocks tumbled after a devastating day on Wall Street and Hong Kong became the latest economy to slash interest rates as pressure grew for a coordinated, global response to the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression.

North Korea fires missiles into sea: report (Reuters)
Reuters - North Korea has fired two short-range missiles into the Yellow Sea, a news report said on Wednesday, in a move likely aimed at dialing up tension as global powers try to have it abide by a nuclear disarmament deal.

Bernanke signals readiness to cut rates (Reuters)

Reuters - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Tuesday signaled a readiness to lower U.S. interest rates in a dramatic shift to support an economy battered by a financial crisis of "historic dimension."

Petraeus sees increasingly durable gains in Iraq (Reuters)

Reuters - U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus said on Tuesday that security gains in Iraq are increasingly durable but warned that that methods which helped reduce violence there may not work in Afghanistan.