Colleges rethink U.S. drinking age

College presidents from about 100 of the best-known U.S. universities, including Duke, Dartmouth and Ohio State, are calling on lawmakers to consider lowering the drinking age from 18.

Violence flares in Pakistan

Leaders of Pakistan's ruling coalition met Tuesday to discuss who should succeed Pervez Musharraf as president, while a bombing outside a hospital and clashes with militants killed dozens.

Child porn 'librarian' pleads guilty
The "librarian" of a child porn archive accused of amassing nearly 250,000 images pleaded guilty Monday to sending indecent images of children to subscribers in more than 30 countries.

Fay strengthens over Florida

Tropical Storm Fay rolled ashore in southwestern Florida on Tuesday without much fanfare, but stubbornly hung around like an unwelcome houseguest, gaining power and threatening — once again — to become a hurricane.

Snatched cigarette catches killer
A convicted rapist admitted to a 1998 murder and was sentenced to a long prison term Monday as another man once blamed for the crime called him a coward who ruined lives.

New home construction falls to 17-year low

Construction of homes and apartments fell in July to the lowest level in more than 17 years, the government reported Tuesday.

Russia makes moves toward pullback

Russia took the first steps toward a troop pullback from Georgia on Tuesday but at the same time paraded blindfolded and bound Georgian prisoners on armored vehicles and seized four U.S. Humvees.

Zambia's president dead at 59

Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa died in a French hospital Tuesday at 59, nearly two months after he was hospitalized for a stroke, the country's vice president said.

NATO resists U.S. push on Russia

NATO pulled its punches against Russia on Tuesday, suspending formal contacts as punishment for the Georgia invasion but bucking U.S. pressure for more severe penalties.

More women having fewer kids
More women in their early 40s are childless, and those who are having children are having fewer than ever before, the Census Bureau reports.