AP - The Federal Reserve, confronted with the perils of a slumping economy and rising inflation, has decided for a second straight meeting to leave interest rates unchanged.

AP - President Bush was greeted in Asia with dueling demonstrations by prayerful, flag-waving supporters and raucous protesters doused by police water cannons Tuesday, reflecting sharp political divisions at the outset of his three-nation trip.

AP - A new poll finds Barack Obama is leading John McCain nationally by 6 percentage points thanks to big leads he is enjoying among women, minorities and younger voters.

AP - Passengers were evacuated by inflatable chutes Tuesday after a Honolulu-bound airliner made an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport because someone smelled smoke in the cabin.

AP - Tropical Storm Edouard hit the Texas Gulf coast east of Galveston on Tuesday with strong winds and heavy rain, but did little more than soak the travelers who came to relax on the tourist town's beaches.

AFP - Russians on Tuesday paid their last respects at a lying-in-state for Alexander Solzhenitsyn, a dissident writer who challenged the Soviet Union but was largely forgotten by a younger generation.

AFP - China declared Tuesday it could guarantee a safe Olympics three days ahead of the Games, as it tightened security in its remote northwest following a deadly attack blamed on Muslim terrorists.

Reuters - The Pentagon on Monday said it was closing a controversial intelligence office that had raised concerns about domestic spying by the military after the September 11 attacks.

Reuters - Tropical Storm Edouard strengthened late on Monday as it churned across the Gulf of Mexico and will likely hit the Texas coast with near-hurricane strength, U.S. forecasters said.

Reuters - A small plane crashed into a vacation home on the Oregon coast on Monday, killing three children inside and two adults on board, officials said.

Reuters - The U.S. Federal Reserve on Tuesday is expected to hold interest rates steady as dismal housing markets and tight credit weigh on the economy, while it signals lingering inflation concerns despite lower oil prices.

Reuters - Heavy mists around K2 prevented a Pakistani army helicopter from attempting to airlift a stricken Italian climber off the world's second-highest mountain on Tuesday, following a climbing disaster that killed 11 others.

Reuters - President George W. Bush offered a mixed assessment of China's role in the world but said in an interview published on Tuesday it is "important to engage" the Chinese.

Reuters - About 1,000 Marines deployed to train Afghan security forces will have their tours of duty extended by 30 days, a U.S. defense official said on Monday.