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China's vice president hasn't been seen for a week and a half. That's fueling speculation among some people in China about Xi Jinping and his health and whereabouts. He has canceled meetings with Hillary Clinton and Denmark's prime minister. For more, Renee Montagne speaks with Rob Gifford, the China editor at The Economist magazine.

Todd Akin now trails Sen. Claire McCaskill in the U.S. Senate race, and the GOP establishment is pressing the Republican to quit the contest. But one expert says the controversy will help the congressman more than it hurts him.

The Nashville singer-songwriter just released his second album, Waiting All Night, and describes his crowd-pleasing music as "quietbilly."

As the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Charlotte, N.C., the economy is expected to be a central theme. The event is bookended by Monday's Labor Day celebrations and Friday's release of the latest monthly numbers on jobs.

Drone strikes ordered by the Obama administration have killed more than a dozen al-Qaida leaders around the world. But when the ACLU asked for more information about the targeted killing, the CIA said it's a secret. Now the case is headed to federal appeals court.

Two days before the attack on the American Consulate in Libya, U.S. officials and pro-government Libyan militias discussed the growing risks in Benghazi, according to a militia leader. He didn't cite a specific threat, but said security in Benghazi was deteriorating.

Actress Eva Longoria has taken a large role in the Obama campaign and is scheduled speak at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night.

As the U.S. military steps up training of Afghan troops in preparation for the U.S. withdrawal in 2014, it has also ratcheted up its efforts to train U.S. soldiers in Afghan language and customs. This year, the Army has more than doubled the number of soldiers trained in Pashto and Dari.

Unions in Wisconsin challenged Gov. Scott Walker's anti-union policies and lost, while teachers successfully challenged similar laws in Ohio. But many of these policies are supported by President Obama, Education Secretary Arne Duncan and other Democrats. And the American Federation of Teachers has been walking a fine line between advocating for reform and protecting traditional union positions.

Parsis brought their Zoroastrian faith, and unique funeral rituals, to India from Iran a thousand years ago. Parsis believe burying or cremating the dead pollutes nature and traditionally relied on birds of prey to devour corpses. That tradition is now under threat, due in part to a vulture shortage.