Track star Marion Jones is asking Bush for clemency; media mogul Conrad Black is seeking a pardon. more >>

The six candidates for the Republican presidential nomination sparred last night over economic and national security issues during a 90-minute debate in South Carolina. The debate, sponsored by Fox News, was a relatively tame affair, with substantial policy disagreement but few personal attacks. One notable exception: a tit-for-tat between former Sen. Fred Thompson and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. At one point, Thompson warned that Huckabee, if elected, would take the country in the direction of "liberal economic policies." Huckabee responded: "The Air Force has a saying that if you're not catching flak, you're not over the target. I'm catching the flak. I must be over the target." more >>

Former track star Marion Jones has now become just the fourth American in history to be stripped of Olympic hardware by the International Olympic Committee. Today, the IOC formally revoked Jones's claims to the five medals—three gold and two bronze—that she won during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Earlier this year, Jones admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during her peak athletic years. more >>