Top Stories - AP

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The McCain and Obama presidential campaigns traded accusations of mudslinging Monday in the wake of new ads dredging up infamous events from 20, 30, even 40 years ago.

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court opens a new term Monday with denials expected in hundreds of appeals and arguments over limits on lawsuits against tobacco companies.

LAS VEGAS - Jurors who found O.J. Simpson guilty in his armed robbery trial say secret audio tapes and surveillance video swayed them more than witness accounts.

NEW YORK - The battle for control of troubled bank Wachovia tilted toward Wells Fargo Sunday as a state appeals court blocked a lower court ruling that had favored rival bidder Citigroup.

WILLIAMS, Calif. - A casino-bound charter bus flipped over about 10 miles from its destination, ejecting passengers and crushing others as it rolled into a ditch. Ten people died and dozens of others were injured.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Three European scientists shared the 2008 Nobel Prize in medicine on Monday for separate discoveries of viruses that cause AIDS and cervical cancer, breakthroughs that helped doctors fight the deadly diseases.

CHICAGO - Warning: young children should not keep hedgehogs as pets — or hamsters, baby chicks, lizards and turtles, for that matter — because of risks for disease.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Miley Cyrus' 16th birthday party was more boisterous than sweet. Cyrus celebrated the hallmark birthday at an over-the-top Disneyland celebration Sunday — even though she doesn't actually turn 16 until Nov. 23. The theme park was closed for the supersized soiree, which included a four-song performance by the teen queen and a fireworks display above Sleeping Beauty Castle and 16 giant inflatable candles.

CHICAGO - The American League Division Series resume today with the Tampa Bay Rays playing the White Sox in Chicago and the Los Angeles Angels facing the Red Sox in Boston. Both are game 4 in the best-of-5 series with the Rays and Red Sox leading 2 games to 1. The National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies begins on Thursday.

LONDON - Asian and European stock markets plunged Monday as government bank bailouts in the U.S. and Europe failed to alleviate fears that the global financial crisis would depress world economic growth.

WASHINGTON - A federal judge on Monday will hear the government's response to a motion by Sen. Ted Stevens' attorneys for a mistrial and dismissal of all charges against the veteran lawmaker.

BOSTON - After 11 consecutive losses and two straight playoff sweeps, the Los Angeles Angels had grown tired of being a bump in Boston's road to the World Series.

NEW YORK - Jimmy Kimmel is coming back to provide more laughs for the American Music Awards.

WASHINGTON - Hurricane Ike's winds and massive waves destroyed oil platforms, tossed storage tanks and punctured pipelines. The environmental damage only now is becoming apparent: At least a half million gallons of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico and the marshes, bayous and bays of Louisiana and Texas, according to an analysis of federal data by The Associated Press.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Facing a lawsuit over deceptive mortgage practices, Bank of America Corp. is agreeing to pay more than $8 billion to modify hundreds of thousands of loans to keep people from losing their homes.

WASHINGTON - With the passage of the $700 billion rescue package, the financial industry will face greater congressional scrutiny in coming weeks and months.

WASHINGTON - And though she may have scored a political hit each time, her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext that John McCain himself may come to regret.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistan insisted Monday it had no deal allowing the U.S. to fire missiles at militant hideouts after an American newspaper quoted the new president as suggesting otherwise.

NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. - Ann Burke saw signs of trouble with her daughter's boyfriend.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Big Ben's big night gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a big boost in the AFC North. Ben Roethlisberger threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Steelers overcome their offensive woes and leading them to a 26-21 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday night.

WASHINGTON - The Republican National Committee plans to file a fundraising complaint against Democrat Barack Obama's presidential campaign Monday, alleging it has accepted donations that exceed federal limits as well as illegal contributions from foreigners.

SALT LAKE CITY - Rattlesnakes aren't to be trifled with, but if you're trying to collect the sound of every creature in the West that slithers, hops, flies or flops, distance isn't a luxury you can afford.

CHICAGO - Thanks to John Danks and the White Sox, Chicago still has one team standing. Danks pitched another big game to save the season and well-traveled DeWayne Wise delivered a two-run double as the White Sox beat Tampa Bay 5-3 Sunday, trimming the Rays' lead in their AL playoff series to 2-1.

Relief on Wall Street over the hard-won passage of a $700 billion bailout package for the financial system apparently hasn't yet trickled down to the pubs, storefronts, car lots and malls of Main Street.

SAN FRANCISCO - From Randy Moss' dynamic 66-yard touchdown catch to Kevin Faulk's score on a direct snap, the New England Patriots returned to their usual regular-season form in an unusual place.

NEW YORK - The world's financial markets face an uncertain and possibly volatile week as investors await details about how the Treasury will implement the government's financial rescue package — and watch for any further fallout from the credit crisis around the globe.

MILWAUKEE - With plenty of power to go with their improved pitching, the Philadelphia Phillies are ready for anything in the NL championship series. Bring on the Los Angeles Dodgers. "I like our chances," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Sunday after Philadelphia clinched its first trip to the NLCS since 1993 with a 6-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

PHILADELPHIA - Another road win against a division opponent has the Washington Redskins in perfect position to make a run at the NFC East. Clinton Portis ran for 145 yards and one touchdown, wide receiver Antwaan Randle El threw a TD pass and the Redskins beat the Philadelphia Eagles 23-17 on Sunday.