dems choose obama thunderous acclamation barack claiming prize held black american swept democratic presidential nomination thousands national convention delegates stood cheered improbable triumph louisiana eyes gustav activates guard troops eve hurricane katrina third anniversary nervous orleans watched another storm threatened test everything city rebuilt officials made preliminary plans evacuate people pets hospitals attempt avoid style chaos western nations warn russia `change course leaders warned change hoping keep conflict already threatens key nuclear pact raise chicken prices blossoming cold war military hand iraq anbar province week conditions iraqi brutal insurgency once ruled improved dramatically united states handing responsibility security sunni stronghold days freed shift afghanistan factory tension union immigrants bosses region rural mississippi long grumbled largest factories here hire illegal starting overtime supervisory positions cells identity promising breakthrough talk extreme makeover scientists transformed one type cell living mice big step goal growing replacement tissues treat variety diseases suge knight posts bail las vegas arrest marion jailed assault drug charges accused beating girlfriend brandishing knife strip police mlb spends give umps look homers baseball replay central foot room fifth floor former baking manhattan meatpacking district crammed computers television screens looks like nasa mission control arctic sea ice drops lowest level record ominous signs saying global warming tipping point seems happening ocean second years microsoft newest browser block ads corp makes easier surf internet leaving trace historic first nominated democrats shouts candidate sending battle against republican john mccain kills caribbean heads gulf tropical pulled haiti dominican republic killing become major aimed mexico oil fields top marine sees officer reduce strong force qaeda reinforce operations taliban threat assessing possible aid georgia planners pondering thorny question shattered armed forces provoking russian backlash risk direct confrontation moscow judges consider whether fbi violated free speech panel federal appeals court pushed government lawyer answer letters sent service providers seeking information remain secret corporate america taking longer collect study having hardest time getting customers pay bills since recession according released soldiers executed iraqis riverbank report killed four handcuffed blindfolded prisoners pistol shots bank baghdad canal year york reported sudanese plane hijackers surrender libya airliner surrendered authorities releasing passengers crew aviation authority name party nominee democrat formally political warns nato west fumes ratcheting tensions increased naval presence isolating