U.S. billionaire trains for second spaceflight

American billionaire Charles Simonyi, a computer software executive who paid more than $20 million to fly to the International Space Station aboard a Russian-built Soyuz capsule in spring 2007, will train for a second Soyuz trip to the space station in spring 2009.

Karzai asks Saudi Arabia for help in talks

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Tuesday he has asked the king of Saudi Arabia to help facilitate peace talks with the Taliban in order to bring an end to the Afghan conflict.

NYT: Concerns grow about Palin's readiness

Gov. Sarah Palin is heading into the critical vice presidential debate facing challenges about her credentials and signs that her popularity is slipping.

World reacts to the U.S. crisis
As the United States wallows in the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, the world looks on with horror, fear and sometimes guilty pleasure.

Congress scrambles for rescue plan

Congressional leaders scrambled Tuesday to come up with changes to help them sell the failed $700 billion financial bailout to rank-and-file members.

Study links birth size, breast cancer
Women who were bigger and longer babies may be more likely to develop breast cancer, researchers reported on Tuesday.

Walter: Dems face big opportunity and risk
This year, Democrats have a rare, not to say unprecedented, opportunity to increase their advantage in Congress. But, winning big in November means playing defense in 2010.

At long last, food labeling law set to take effect

After years of wrangling, regulations set to take effect Sept. 30 will require  food retailers to disclose what country many types of meat, produce and other food products come from.

Study: Urban bears fatter, die earlier

Urban black bears are much heavier and more likely to die violent deaths than their wilder peers, a new study found. And if female, they're more likely to get pregnant at a younger age.