AP - China and several Central Asian nations rebuffed Russia's hopes of international support for its actions in Georgia, issuing a statement Thursday denouncing the use of force and calling for the respect of every country's territorial integrity.

AP - U.S. forces arrested a top Shiite official in Iraq's government as he stepped off a plane in Baghdad, a political ally said Thursday, and a U.S. military intelligence official linked the man to a June bombing that killed four Americans and six Iraqis.

AP - Venus Williams kept favorites on the fast track at the U.S. Open, overwhelming Rossana de Los Rios in less than an hour Thursday to reach the third round.

Reuters - Strong exports and consumer spending supported by government stimulus checks pushed the U.S. economy ahead at a solid 3.3 percent annual rate in the second quarter, much stronger than first thought, but growth is expected to flag as those factors fade.

Reuters - Fannie Mae's capital and reserves positions are better than market expectations, and the biggest U.S. mortgage finance company may not need any more externally raised capital, according to an analyst at Lehman Brothers.

AP - Of all the women Valentino has dressed in his 45-year career — from Jacqueline Kennedy to Mariella Agnelli to Gwyneth Paltrow — one red carpet moment stands out: When Julia Roberts wore a vintage black-and-white Valentino gown when she was awarded her best actress Oscar.

AP - Marion "Suge" Knight has been released from a Las Vegas jail.