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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.

The Supreme Court has outlawed executions of people convicted of raping a child. The court was considering a Louisiana law that allowed for such executions. The ruling said the law violates the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

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.

A Justice Department audit released Tuesday found that a screening program installed at the department in 2002 kept out Democrat- or liberal-leaning attorneys. Those with Republicans ties, meanwhile, got interviewed for plum positions at the department.

Up to 20 percent of soldiers who have fought in Iraq say they sustained a brain injury. Most with a severe brain injury never return to active duty. Army Spc. Freddy Meyers was shot in the head last May and initially could neither talk nor walk. Now he wants to go back to duty.

Now that summer is here, food lovers will be gathering outdoors for all sorts of celebrations. Most people like to keep it casual, but food writer and cook Nigella Lawson says there's room for a little bit of elegance, too.

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.

Zimbabwe's opposition leader has withdrawn from the country's presidential runoff election, saying the loss of life among his supporters is too high a price to pay. Morgan Tsvangirai says President Robert Mugabe has run a violent, illegitimate election. Tsvangirai's withdrawal spurred reaction from African leaders and the United Nations.

For the first time, a NASA lander has touched Martian ice. Scientists say they are convinced white chunks dug up by the Phoenix craft are in fact frozen water on the Red Planet.

Former White House spokesman Scott McClellan told the House Judiciary Committee Friday the White House could have avoided a lot of criticism and loss of faith by being more open about its reasons for invading Iraq.