Pluto gets the boot  —  Pluto no longer a planet, say astronomers  —  PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Pluto is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight.

'Morning After' Pill Is Cleared for Wider Sales  —  The Food and Drug Administration today approved over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after" contraceptive pill to women 18 and older, resolving one of the most contentious issues in the agency's 100-year history.

Israel may 'go it alone' against Iran  —  Israel is carefully watching the world's reaction to Iran's continued refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, with some high-level officials arguing it is now clear that when it comes to stopping Iran, Israel "may have to go it alone," The Jerusalem Post has learned.

Incumbent on the Brink  —  Can Sen. Santorum survive?  —  JANESVILLE, Pa.—Until recently, Bob Casey Jr.'s strategy for unseating Republican Sen. Rick Santorum had been working so well that Mr. Casey could behave like the incumbent.  —  Taking advantage of a double-digit lead in the polls …

What's Really Driving the Fox News Kidnapping  —  Despite their demand for a prisoner release exchange, the previously unknown Gaza captors may well be more interested in striking a blow against Palestinian leaders than Israel or the U.S.  —  As vague as it was, the demand put forth Wednesday …

Stem cell breakthrough to challenge Bush objections  —  By Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor of The Times  —  A stem cell breakthrough by American scientists is set to overturn ethical objections to potentially live-saving research.  —  They have found how to make stem cells from embryos without destroying …

Black students ordered to give up seats to white children  —  Status of Red River Parish bus driver is unknown.  —  vwelborn@gannett.com  —  COUSHATTA — Nine black children attending Red River Elementary School were directed last week to the back of the school bus by a white driver who designated the front seats for white children.

More Ties to al Qaeda Found in Gaza Kidnappings  —  The Global Islamic Media Front—an —today released a copy of the Steve Centanni & Olaf Wiig hostage video in an internet posting today at an Islamist jihadi forum which often praises al Qaeda.  Along with the video, the al Qaeda propoganda production …

Self-Inflicted Wounds  —  First published as a weekly in 1884 as The Journalist, Editor & Publisher (E&P) is a monthly journal covering the North American newspaper industry.  —  Since 2002, Greg Mitchell has been the Editor of E&P, and he writes both an online and print column.

Candidates from Both Parties Shun Partisan Label  —  Newsflash!  President Bush is unpopular.  No wonder Democrats across the country are dutifully attempting to tie every Republican candidate to their unpopular leader.  —  But most Republicans are under no illusions about the President's standing or mood of the electorate.

What the Terrorists Want  —  On Aug. 16, two men were escorted off a plane headed for Manchester, England, because some passengers thought they looked either Asian or Middle Eastern, might have been talking Arabic, wore leather jackets, and looked at their watches — and the passengers refused to fly with them on board.

'Shiite Giant' Extends Its Reach  —  Sadr's Armed Movement Becomes Pivotal Force in Fractured Country  —  KUFA, Iraq — Pumping their fists in the air, the men and boys inside the colonnaded mosque shouted their loyalty to Shiite Muslim leader Moqtada al-Sadr.

Video: All Your Fakes Are Belong to US (Bloggers)  —  A video from our very own Sout al Kuffar!  PS-sorry about the slow load time, it's a Youtube side problem.  —  PPS-Please vote for this video at Youtube here.  Just click on the red star that is farthest to the right if you think al Kuffar's work is awesome.

General: Iran Training Shiite Insurgents  —  WASHINGTON — The Iranian government is training and equipping much of the Shiite insurgency in Iraq, a senior U.S. general said Wednesday, drawing one of the most direct links by the Pentagon.  —  Brig. Gen. Michael Barbero also said it was too soon …

Anniversary Draws Bush to Gulf Coast  —  His visit next week aims to counter Democrats' plans to focus on the slow Katrina response.  —  WASHINGTON — As next week's anniversary of Hurricane Katrina triggers recollections of rooftop refugees and massive devastation along the Gulf Coast …

The Great Ambulance Hoax: All your fakes are belong to us  —  ***updated with MSM contact info below...Dan Riehl follows up with observations about the ambulance license plates...Related: Daniel Freedman on Hezbollah's helpers at the Red Cross...Somewhat related: NYer arrested for broadcasting Hezbollah TV...***

Joe Down Low On Ballot  —  Two weeks after losing the Democratic primary, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman has qualified for a place on the November ballot as a petitioning candidate, the secretary of the state said Wednesday.  —  But on a ballot crowded with at least five Senate candidates …

Careers and Marriage  —  Forbes.com published a story Aug. 22 by editor Michael Noer on two-career relationships that provoked a heated response from both outside and inside our building.  Elizabeth Corcoran, a member of our Silicon Valley bureau and principal author of the magazine's current cover story …

MCCAIN IS BASHING BUSH ON IRAQ, and some people are pretty angry at him for backstabbing.  —  The substance of McCain's claim is pretty weak: I don't recall Bush ever saying that Iraq would be a "day at the beach," and in fact casualties to date are considerably lower than what was generally expected …