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.

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.

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.

Dow closes up more than 450 points

Wall Street snapped back Tuesday after its biggest sell-off in years amid growing expectations that lawmakers will salvage a $700 billion rescue plan for the financial sector.

Cosmic Log: Action urged on asteroids

Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Astronauts and other space experts are calling for the formation of new international organizations to monitor threats from asteroids and comets.

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.

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

Car crash risk rises on election days, study says
Could voting for president be hazardous to your health? An analysis of Election Day traffic deaths suggests yes, but the authors say that's no reason not to go to the polls.