WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Radio Boston Blog Boston Weather Climate Connections BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a News Tip RSS Feeds Podcasts  Top Stories Immigration, Trade Top McCain Agenda Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:46:00 -0400 Trade and immigration top Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's visit to Mexico. The two issues also dominated his trip to Colombia. McCain says he'll seek Mexico's help to tackle illegal immigration. He used the trip to tout free trade. Real | Windows Obama Says His Position On Iraq Is Unchanged Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:24:00 -0400 Barack Obama says he's open to refining his Iraq policy. The Democrat says he'll use what he learns from military commanders on his upcoming trip to Iraq to tweak his position. He dismissed GOP accusations that he was reversing his position. Real | Windows Rescued American Hostages Return Home Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:49:00 -0400 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. Real | Windows California Wildfires Strain State's Resources Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:43:00 -0400 Big Sur is surrounded by flames and more than 1,000 wildfires are burning across California. The state's firefighting resources are being pushed to the limit. Many fires may burn for over a month. The 61,000-acre blaze has burned at least 16 homes. Real | Windows Probe Into Maryland Custody Death Slows Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:41:00 -0400 State and federal agents are investigating the death of a Maryland man in his cell two days after he was arrested and charged with killing a county police officer. But their efforts have been slowed by a lack of cooperation from prison officials. Real | Windows Spate Of Manhole Cover Thefts Poses Problem Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:40:00 -0400 It used to be a kids' prank, but manhole cover theft has become an expensive problem for cities such as Long Beach, Calif. Each lid weighs more than 200 pounds, but thieves anxious to capitalize upon the rising cost of scrap metal aren't deterred. Real | Windows FARC Has Ability To Keep Fighting, Expert Says Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:11:00 -0400 The Colombian military has rescued hostages from left-wing FARC rebels. Marc Chernick, associate professor at Georgetown University, says though the rebels have been weakened, they can continue fighting the military for a long time. Real | Windows New Way To Land Planes May Save Fuel Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:50:00 -0400 A new style of landing called "continuous descent" involves the plane flying straight. Alex Kingsbury, a reporter with U.S. News and World Report, says delivery firm UPS has saved 50 gallons of jet fuel per landing by using the system on its planes. Real | Windows U.S. Role Seen In Colombia Hostage Rescue Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:12:00 -0400 Colombia told the U.S. about the raid to rescue hostages from FARC rebels two weeks ago, Pentagon sources say. The U.S. was asked to provide help in the form of surveillance aircraft to eavesdrop on rebels. No Americans were on the ground. Real | Windows Employers Cut Jobs For Sixth Straight Month Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:00:00 -0400 The U.S. economy lost jobs for the sixth straight month in June. The Labor Department says employers cut 62,000 jobs from their payrolls. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.5 percent. The data were in line with economists' expectations. Real | Windows