Gustav may hike gas before Labor Day weekend

The brief respite for consumers at the gasoline pump may come to an abrupt end if Tropical Storm Gustav slams into the petroleum-rich Gulf Coast and its numerous refineries, just as Americans begin packing up cars for the Labor Day weekend.

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.

Computer virus hits space station

A virus designed to swipe passwords from online gamers has inexplicably popped up in some laptop computers aboard the international space station.

Mortgage mess puts banks at risk

The mortgage mess that has upended millions of homeowners' finances is now taking a bigger bite out of the nation's banking system.

Lesbian activist Del Martin dies at 87

Pioneering lesbian rights activist Del Martin, who married her lifelong partner in June on the first day that same-sex couples here gained that right, has died. She was 87.

Mental skills fade earlier than thought
Simple tests of perceptual speed, spatial ability and verbal function showed that some cognitive skills begin rapidly fading nearly 15 years before death, said Valgeir Thorvaldsson, who worked on the study.

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.

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.

Indicted Stevens wins Alaska primary

Alaska Republicans gave U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, currently facing a federal indictment, a primary victory on Tuesday.

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.