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An official assessment by Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, concludes that after eight years, the U.S. and its allies have failed to focus on and win over the Afghan people. He also calls for more troops to ensure victory over the Taliban and al-Qaida.

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan warns in a report that the U.S. could lose in Afghanistan without more troops. Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, says the report also says that focusing on force requirements misses the point entirely.

Six months after Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty to running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme, six books have already been published about the scandal. Four came out just last month. They cover much of the same ground — with some exceptions.

The nation's top military officer says more U.S. troops will likely be needed to win the war in Afghanistan. Adm. Mike Mullen's comments before the Senate Armed Services committee came as Democratic Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan underscored his opposition to additional forces, and Sen. John McCain, the committee's ranking Republican, shot back that any delay in sending troop reinforcements would have catastrophic consequences.

Actor Patrick Swayze died yesterday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57. Swayze played some real characters, from a surfer-dude bank robber to a road-tripping drag queen — and, of course, a dirty dancer. He said he always knew he was going to be a performer.

In times of great danger, some survivors report encountering a phantom presence, which guides them to safety. Writer John Geiger chronicles the phenomenon in his new book, The Third Man Factor: Surviving the Impossible.

Health care topped the agenda Tuesday as lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill. The Senate Finance Committee, which failed to complete its bill before the summer recess, is trying to reach a bipartisan compromise on the divisive issue.

Allegations of fraud have marred Afghanistan's presidential election. Ronald Neumann, former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, says despite the allegations it is worth it for the White house to maintain support for Afghanistan.

U.N. and Afghan officials confirmed reports of fraud in the Aug. 20 presidential elections and ordered a partial recount. The latest returns from the Afghan Election Commission show incumbent President Hamid Karzai now has enough votes to avoid a run-off with his nearest challenger.

The Labor Department said Friday the nation's unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in August, the highest since 1983. But the economy shed a net total of 216,000 jobs, the fewest monthly losses in a year.