1. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke says the economy continues to face numerous difficulties. President Bush said the nation's financial system is basically sound. He called on Congress for quick action to help mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

2. Democrat Barack Obama says his top priority is to fight al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. The presidential candidate said the war in Iraq must be ended. Republican John McCain said he knows how to win wars, he also said the strategy of increasing troop levels in Iraq should also be applied to Afghanistan.

3. Two women in their 70s will spend two consecutive life terms in jail. The Los Angeles women were convicted in April of befriending two homeless men, taking out life insurance policies on them and then killing them.

4. This isn't your everyday robbery caught on tape. When a worker at the Denton, Texas pizza place hit the would-be robber, his wig and sunglasses fell off. It turned out he was the father of another employee. Police have charged him and his wife with aggravated robbery.