Rice: U.S., Iraq close on troop timetable

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari said Thursday the two countries have agreed that timetables should be set for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.

NFL players union chief Upshaw dies at 63

Gene Upshaw, the Hall of Fame guard who during a quarter century as union head helped get NFL players free agency and the riches that came with it, has died. He was 63.

Lost baby whale faces mercy killing

An abandoned baby whale that has been attempting to suckle boats in the waters off north Sydney will be euthanized because it is in such poor condition, an environmental official said Thursday.

Russia blocks port city as deadline looms

Russian forces blocked the only land entrance to Georgia's main port city on Thursday, a day before Russia promised to complete a troop pullout from its ex-Soviet neighbor.

Poll: McCain halves Obama's lead

The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll finds Obama up only 45-42 percent, as he still hasn't closed the deal with some Clinton backers.

Rep. Tubbs Jones dies after hemorrhage

A Cleveland Clinic official says Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, has died after a brain hemorrhage.

Day 13 Highlights: Japan stuns U.S. softball

Day 13 highlights: The U.S. Olympic softball team was denied a fourth straight gold medal, losing to Japan in the sport's final appearance in the games for at least eight years.

Up to 225 days of White House e-mail lost
According to an internal document, the White House is missing as many as 225 days of e-mail dating back to 2003.

Owner: Doomed jet experienced overheating

The jetliner that crashed in Madrid experienced overheating in an air intake valve before a first attempt at takeoff, but it is not clear if that had anything to do with the disaster, its owner said Thursday.