Democrats renewed their criticism of the war in Iraq, while the White House accused them of distorting this week?s testimony on the results of the troop buildup.
The nomination of a low profile cabinet official to be prime minister raised questions about who might succeed President Vladimir V. Putin if he steps down.
AP - A day before President Bush's war address, Senate Democrats rejected a four-star general's recommendation to keep some 130,000 troops in Iraq through next summer and sought legislation that would limit the mission of U.S. forces.
AP - President Vladimir Putin chose a little-known government official to become Russia's new prime minister Wednesday, a surprise move that set off fevered speculation over whether loyal technocrat Viktor Zubkov was being groomed to replace Putin next spring.
AP - Fidel Castro claims Cuba's government saved the life of President Reagan by giving American officials information about an assassination plot in 1984.
Tropical Storm Humberto formed Wednesday and was poised to drench coastal Texas and Louisiana within hours. The slow-moving storm is packing a high potential for flooding, and isolated tornadoes are possible overnight.
The town of Yusufiyah was among the most dangerous places in Iraq as Sunni fighters clashed regularly with coalition troops. But new tactics have changed the dynamics. Car bombings are down, the capture of insurgents is up. And Col. Michael Kershaw now greets his former enemies with kisses and shares meals.
Youssif, the 5-year-old Iraqi boy savagely burned by masked men, has arrived in the United States with his family for rehabilitation. "I feel like I'm in a dream," the boy's father told CNN. Youssif's story prompted an outpouring of support. More than 12,000 CNN.com users gave to a fund set up by the Children's Burn Foundation.