Democrats choose Obama in historic acclamation (AP)

AP - Barack Obama stepped triumphantly into history Wednesday night, the first black American to win a major party presidential nomination, as thousands of Democrats transformed their convention hall into a joyful, shouting celebration.

Obama makes unscripted appearance at the DNC (AP)

AP - Sen. Barack Obama dropped in on his own party at the Democratic convention a day early Wednesday to praise his wife, his former rival, and former President Bill Clinton for going to bat for him.

Western nations warn Russia to `change course' (AP)

AP - Western leaders warned the Kremlin on Wednesday to "change course," hoping to keep the conflict from growing into a new Cold War after tensions broadened to imperil a key nuclear pact and threaten U.S. meat and poultry trade with Russia.

Gustav stalls offshore in Haiti after killing 23 (AP)

AP - Gustav stalled offshore Wednesday and poured more misery onto Haiti after landslides and flooding killed 23 people. Oil workers began leaving their rigs and New Orleans drew up evacuation plans as forecasters warned the storm could plow into the U.S. Gulf coast as a major hurricane.

Survey: US workers' confidence in job market sags (AP)

AP - American workers' confidence in the job market is as low as it was during the 2001 recession, according to a survey released Thursday.

9 killed in bomb blast in northwestern Pakistan (AP)

AP - Suspected militants bombed a van carrying prisoners in northwest Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least nine people, as fighting between security forces and extremists flared across the tribal belt.

U.S. military to hand over Iraq's Anbar province next week (AP)

AP - Conditions in the western Iraqi province of Anbar, where a brutal insurgency once ruled, have improved so dramatically that the United States is handing over responsibility for security in the Sunni stronghold to Iraq within days. Troops freed up in Iraq could shift to Afghanistan.

Louisiana eyes Gustav, activates Guard troops (AP)

AP - On the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary, a nervous New Orleans watched Wednesday as another storm threatened to test everything the city has rebuilt, and officials made preliminary plans to evacuate people, pets and hospitals in an attempt to avoid a Katrina-style chaos.

Cells change identity in promising breakthrough (AP)

AP - Talk about an extreme makeover: Scientists have transformed one type of cell into another in living mice, a big step toward the goal of growing replacement tissues to treat a variety of diseases.

Mets rally to beat Phillies, reclaim first place (AP)

AP - Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking double after Carlos Delgado's second solo homer had tied the game in the eighth and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 6-3 on Wednesday night to reclaim first place in the NL East.

Obama wins nomination and Clintons' support (Reuters)

Reuters - To shouts of "Yes we can," Democrats nominated Barack Obama on Wednesday as their presidential candidate in a historic first for a black American, backed by his ex-rivals Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Storm Gustav kills 23 in Caribbean, heads for Gulf (Reuters)

Reuters - Tropical Storm Gustav pulled away from Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Wednesday after killing 23 people and threatened to become a major hurricane aimed at New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico oil fields.

Top U.S. Marine sees shift from Iraq to Afghanistan (Reuters)

Reuters - The top U.S. Marine officer said on Wednesday he could reduce his 25,000-strong force in the former al Qaeda stronghold of Iraq's Anbar province to reinforce military operations against a growing Taliban threat in Afghanistan.

Russia's Medvedev looks east for support on Georgia (Reuters)

Reuters - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev looked east on Thursday for support for Moscow's tough line over Georgia, which has inflamed relations with the West and prompted talk of a new Cold War.

Idaho jury sentences serial child killer to death (Reuters)

Reuters - A federal jury in Idaho sentenced Joseph Duncan on Wednesday to death for shooting to death a 9-year-old boy in front of his younger sister after kidnapping and sexually abusing the boy.

Judges consider whether FBI violated free speech (Reuters)

Reuters - A panel of federal appeals court judges pushed a U.S. government lawyer on Wednesday to answer why FBI letters sent out to Internet service providers seeking information should remain secret.

Pakistani lawyers to press government (Reuters)

Reuters - Pakistani lawyers were set to launch protests on Thursday pressing the government to reinstate judges purged by former president Pervez Musharraf, as militants attacked police in the northwest, killing 11 people.

Bomb attack on Pakistani police kills 11 (Reuters)

Reuters - A car bomb blew up as a Pakistani police bus traveled across a bridge in the country's northwest on Thursday, killing 11 people, police said.

Democrats usher Obama into history (AFP)

AFP - In a deafening moment of history, Democrats anointed Barack Obama the first black major-party nominee for president, in a cathartic release of unity, hope and tears.

Russia hits out at West over Georgia tensions (AFP)

AFP - Russia lashed out at the West for ratcheting up tensions in the Black Sea with an increased NATO naval presence, and warned against isolating Moscow over the conflict in Georgia.

Toyota cuts sales forecast as demand sputters (Reuters)

Reuters - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T), the world's most profitable carmaker, cut its 2009 vehicle sales forecast by nearly 7 percent due to a severe downturn in Western markets driven by high fuel prices and a credit crunch.

Three Fannie Mae execs out, shares rally earlier (Reuters)

Reuters - Fannie Mae , the biggest U.S. mortgage finance company, on Wednesday announced a shake-up of top executives, including the exit of its chief financial officer, in an effort to better implement a plan to preserve capital and cut losses.

Esprit shares plummet on growth worries (Reuters)

Reuters - Shares in Esprit Holdings, the world's No. 5 fashion retailer, plunged nearly a fifth on Thursday to their lowest in two years after the firm missed earnings forecasts and warned investors of tougher times ahead.

CFTC inspector starts probe into oil report: paper (Reuters)

Reuters - The Inspector General for the U.S. commodity-futures regulator has officially begun an investigation into an inter-agency report on commodity markets, the Wall Street Journal said citing a person close to the matter.

Starbucks top brass to receive no raise next year (Reuters)

Reuters - Top executives at Starbucks Corp including Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz will not be getting raises anytime soon, after the coffee chain's first-ever quarterly loss as a public company.

Thornburg survival in doubt, sees completing tender (Reuters)

Reuters - Thornburg Mortgage Inc , a specialist in jumbo home loans, said its survival remained in doubt following additional margin calls, but it is on track to complete a restructuring and avoid collapse.

Chico's profit beats; J Crew cuts view (Reuters)

Reuters - Apparel retailers Chico's FAS Inc and American Eagle Outfitters Inc posted better-than-expected profits on Tuesday despite taking deep markdowns to lure shoppers of all ages, sending their shares higher.

Disaster Movie

A group of impossibly attractive twentysomethings must dodge catastrophic events.

Babylon A.D.

A mercenary (Vin Diesel) learns that the woman in his charge is carrying a synthetic virus.

College

High-school seniors have a wild weekend when they visit a college campus as prospective freshmen.

Traitor

A federal agent (Guy Pearce) hunts an ex-Special Ops soldier (Don Cheadle) who now aids terrorists.

Sukiyaki Western Django - Opens Limited Friday, Aug. 29

At war over hidden gold, two clans each try to lure a lone gunman to their side.

Hamlet 2 - Expands Friday, Aug. 29

A failed actor-turned-drama teacher stages a politically incorrect musical sequel.

Merriman to play despite 2 torn knee ligaments (AP)

AP - The surgeon's knife can wait. Shawne Merriman is going to play football, two torn knee ligaments and all. A day after visiting a fourth doctor, the San Diego Chargers' star outside linebacker decided Wednesday to play this season rather than have surgery on his damaged left knee.

Mets rally to beat Phillies, reclaim first place (AP)

AP - Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking double after Carlos Delgado's second solo homer had tied the game in the eighth and the New York Mets beat Philadelphia 6-3 on Wednesday night to reclaim first place in the NL East.

Sources: De La Hoya wraps up deal for final fight (AP)

AP - Oscar De La Hoya has nearly wrapped up a deal to finish his boxing career Dec. 6 against Filipino star Manny Pacquiao, two people with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

NASCAR puts Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards on probation (AP)

AP - NASCAR placed Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on probation Wednesday for the next six Sprint Cup Series races, the result of their on-track incident last weekend at the end of the race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Jaguars' Harvey ends holdout, signs 5-year deal (AP)

AP - Defensive end Derrick Harvey ended a 33-day holdout Wednesday by signing a five-year, $23.8 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Seahawks LB Tatupu OK for opener against Bills (AP)

AP - The Seattle Seahawks finally have some good injury news. Lofa Tatupu has a bone bruise in his right knee, and coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday the Pro Bowl linebacker will be fine for the season opener Sept. 7 at Buffalo.

Warriors G Ellis out 3 months with ankle sprain (AP)

AP - Golden State guard Monta Ellis will be sidelined for at least three months after severely spraining his ankle during an offseason workout, forcing the Warriors to start the season without the player expected to lead their revamped roster this fall.

Brown's HR, 3 RBIs lead A's past Angels 6-5 (AP)

AP - Emil Brown homered and drove in three runs, Rajai Davis had a career-high four hits and the Oakland Athletics beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Wednesday night.

Fabregas's return to Arsenal energises Wenger (AFP)

AFP - Arsene Wenger believes the return of Cesc Fabregas in Arsenal's 4-0 Champions League rout of FC Twente signals the real start of his side's season.

Sharks sign D Vlasic to 4-year extension (AP)

AP - Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season.

NCAA turns down Cincinnati QB Ben Mauk again (AP)

AP - Quarterback Ben Mauk lost his latest appeal to the NCAA for another year of eligibility on Wednesday, leaving him with one final chance to play for Cincinnati.

Serbs, Russians share top billing at US tennis Open (AFP)

AFP - Serbian stars Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic hobbled to victory on centre court while the Russian assault continued on day four of the 20.6 million dollar US Open.

Volatile system brings unpredictable PGA playoffs (AP)

AP - Padraig Harrington has won the last two majors and is considered the favorite to be voted player of the year on the PGA Tour. But if he doesn't play well the next two weeks, he might not even make it to the Tour Championship.