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The secretive and bloody industry is booming around the country, enjoying underground popularity despite being banned in all 50 states.

American Red Cross President Marsha Evans announces she is stepping down from her post, effective at the end of December. During her tenure, the charity faced criticism over its response to Hurricane Katrina. Evans characterizes her departure as a long-planned retirement, though others at the agency cite problems with communication and coordination.

Shot-putter Adam Nelson has been picked to participate in the Olympics for a third time. In the final round of the shot put in Eugene, Ore., this weekend, he took third place with a 20.89-meter toss. Nelson is a two-time Olympic silver medalist.

Democratic candidate Barack Obama announced Thursday he won't take part in the public-finance system for the presidential campaign. Obama becomes the first candidate in a general election to opt out of the primary system.

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.

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.

Some of Major League Baseball's prominent active and former players will be linked to the use of banned performance-enhancing drugs. They will be named in a 300-page report based on former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's investigation on doping in baseball.

The political landscape has been remade ahead of the New Hampshire primaries next week. The win for Barack Obama redefines the Democratic contest, as he was backed by a variety of constituents. Mike Huckabee's boost comes from conservative voters and a strong turnout.

Political turmoil in Pakistan deepens as the government raised the possibility that embattled President Gen. Pervez Musharraf might impose a state of emergency. News of the possible emergency declaration came after Musharraf abruptly canceled a planned visit to Afghanistan.

The U.S. and Iran are talking for the second time in as many months after nearly three decades of silence. Ryan Crocker, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, and his Iranian counterpart are due to meet in Baghdad to discuss the worsening security situation there.