ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani officials say the army has captured the hometown of the country's Taliban chief in a major offensive. The town is strategically important because it lies on the route to a major militant base.

KABUL (AP) — The Taliban is warning Afghans not to vote in next month's presidential runoff election. It's also threatening a fresh wave of violence to coincide with the vote. Meanwhile, as campaigning gets under way, senior aides to challenger Abdullah Abdullah are calling for the top three members of the election commission to be replaced, accusing them of bias toward President Hamid Karzai.

WASHINGTON (AP) — One of the pilots whose Northwest Airlines jet flew 150 miles past its destination Wednesday insists they were not asleep. Richard Cole tells The Associated Press that he and his fellow pilot were not arguing either, and their passengers were never in danger. Northwest has temporarily suspended both pilots while the investigation goes on.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says banks should return the favor they received in their recent taxpayer-financed bailout by lending more money to small businesses. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says credit remains tight for too many small business owners and the banks have a responsibility to them.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republicans are keeping their focus on health care reform in the party's weekly address. Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns (JOH'-hanz) says most people agree that health care changes should lower costs and make it easier to receive health care. But he says current Democratic proposals may have the opposite effect.