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Israel Wednesday again closed the border crossings into the Gaza Strip in retaliation for rocket attacks from Gaza into the southern city of Sderot. Hamas called the move a violation of a truce, but urged Palestinian factions to hold their fire.

Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has ended his hopes to become the country's next leader. Just days before a special runoff election, Tsvangirai cited fatal intimidation tactics allegedly by supporters of his opponent, incumbent President Robert Mugabe. Zimbabwe freelance reporter Jeffrey Barbee explains the recent developments.

The Supreme Court is wrapping up its term, which means blockbuster decisions coming down all at the same time. The justices issued two major rulings early Wednesday. They ruled against the death penalty for people convicted of child rape. And they reduced punitive damages against Exxon for the Valdez oil spill.

Sheriff Bill Smith — once considered one of the most successful sheriffs in the nation at confiscating drug money off the highways — is now the subject of a federal grand jury investigation into whether he misused the forfeiture funds.

Anglican conservatives headed into a conference in Jerusalem last week with angry rhetoric and veiled threats of a split. But as their conference ends, they went only so far as to call for a church within a church, something that is unlikely to fly.

A top aide to Senator John McCain is taking on extra duties in the presidential campaign. Steve Schmidt will oversee day-to-day political, strategy, coalitions, scheduling and communications operations. He will report to Campaign Manager Rick Davis.

Barack Obama's speech in Missouri on Monday was meant not only to defend his own patriotism but also to control the damage from comments retired Gen. Wesley Clark made about John McCain's military service.

Nineteen-year-old Ronnie White was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the hit-and-run death of a cop. A few days later, he was found murdered in his cell.

Three Americans rescued Wednesday in Colombia from FARC rebels have returned to the United States. Five years ago, their plane was shot down over FARC-held territory. One of them met with family members. The other two were expected to do the same.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday said the Washington, D.C., law banning handguns violates individual rights protected by the Second Amendment. The court had not conclusively interpreted the Second Amendment since its ratification in 1791.

In a 5-4 vote Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court declared for the first time that the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the right of individual Americans to keep and bear arms. The court said gun ownership is an individual right, not connected with military service, and that it can be regulated in some ways.

Iraq's oil ministry has just opened the doors to several major western oil companies. It's been more than 36 years since companies like Exxon have had access to Iraq's oil fields. And down the road, Iraq's reserves could dramatically increase the world's oil supply.

Chinese novelists were once encouraged to address politics and society through a Communist lens. Now young writers can be as entertaining as they want on the Web.

Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren talks about your credit rating — how it's compiled, and how it may be used against you. Warren also discusses the errors that may lower your score and how to fix them.

Imagine experiencing a stroke, and knowing exactly what is happening to you. That's just what happened to brain scientist Jill Bolte Taylor, who talks about the experience and what it taught her.

Democrat Barack Obama says he won't question the patriotism of others during the presidential race, and blames his own "carelessness" for some criticism of him. The speech is part of an effort to reassure voters about his commitment to the country.

Fifty years ago today, the U.S. Senate passed the Alaska statehood bill. Co-host Renee Montagne takes a look back at history.

Hawaiians consume more Spam than any other people in the United States. Cookbook author Muriel Miura explains why and shares one of her favorite Spam recipes.

After it was flattened by a tornado in 2007, a Kansas town decided to rebuild in a completely "green," sustainable way. Greensburg's former mayor, John Janssen, discusses the decision to restructure his community.

Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty says Thursday's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the District ban on handguns will mean more gun violence in the city. But the decision doesn't mean guns will go on sale in the city anytime soon.

A 19-year-old man charged with first-degree murder was found dead while in police custody in Prince George's County, Md. Washington Post reporter Aaron Davis says the Maryland State Police has been asked to conduct an independent investigation.

The capital of Georgia is home to some of the biggest stars in hip-hop and R&B. Since the 1990s, though, the city has also nurtured a very different scene — indie soul. Clubs like the shuttered Yin Yang Cafe and Sugarhill have birthed an intimate scene that gives musicians room to experiment and grow.

Jesse Helms' 30-year career in the U.S. Senate was marked by controversy and racial politics. The fierce advocate for segregation and king maker in North Carolina politics died Friday at the age of 86.

Colombia says it rescued three Americans and a French-Colombian politician from leftist FARC rebels who held them for years. John Otis, South America bureau chief for the Houston Chronicle, says all the former hostages are in reasonably good health.

Pope Benedict XVI will become the first pontiff to visit an American synagogue. The New York meeting was set up by rabbi Arthur Schneier, who has made it his life's mission to reach out to other religions.