Audit: China mismanaged $6.7 billion
China's central government misused or mismanaged more than $6.73 billion last year, including using disaster relief money to build government offices , the National Audit Office said .

Japanese women shy from dual mommy role
As Japan's birthrate keeps dropping, experts worry about women's growing willingness to do without children - or childish husbands.

New Orleans faces evacuation

National Guard troops stood ready and batteries and water bottles sold briskly as the New Orleans area watched a storm march across the Caribbean on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary.

NYT: New hope 45 years after King's dream

Many veterans of the March on Washington will gather at televisions Thursday night and watch an event they would have considered impossible not just in 1963, but perhaps in 1983, or 1993.

Marine eyes Iraq to Afghanistan shift
The top U.S. Marine officer said he could reduce his 25,000-strong force in the former al-Qaida stronghold in Iraq to reinforce military operations against a growing Taliban threat in Afghanistan.

Tourists flee as storm nears Jamaica

Tropical Storm Gustav surged toward renewed hurricane force on Thursday as it started pounding Jamaica, while many miles away New Orleans watched it with a nervous eye.

Dem convention boosts Denver merchants

Denver merchants are smiling this week as they enjoy a big boost from the business of some 50,000 people attending the Democratic National Convention.

Dalai Lama admitted to hospital

The Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, has been admitted to a hospital in India with "abdominal discomfort" but there was no cause for concern, doctors said on Thursday.

Toyota lowers global sales target for 2009
Toyota lowered its global sales target for 2009 by 700,000 vehicles to 9.7 million Thursday, hurt by rising material costs, a slowing U.S. market and soaring gas prices.