A man from Somerville, Mass., and his friend who went around the country this year removing typographical errors from public signs have been banned from national parks after vandalizing a historic marker at the Grand Canyon.

Jeff Michael Deck of Somerville, and Benjamin Douglas Herson, of Virginia Beach, Va., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Flagstaff after damaging a rare, hand-painted sign in Grand Canyon National Park.

They were sentenced to a year's probation, during which they cannot enter any national park, and were ordered to pay restitution.

Authorities said Deck and Herson, both 28, toured the United States from March to May, wiping out errors on government and private signs.

Source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/08/22/men_banned_from_national_parks_after_vandalism/

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US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is expected to reveal his choice of vice-presidential running mate within hours.

He has told journalists he has made his decision, which will be revealed by text message to the party's senators and supporters, and journalists.

Democrats gather for their party convention in Denver on Monday.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7575886.stm

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The International Olympic Committee has instigated an investigation into the ages of several Chinese gold-medal-winning gymnasts.

China is being asked to hand over extra documents to confirm that five gymnasts were old enough to compete.

The BBC has seen one document on the internet that suggests gold medal winner He Kexin is only 14 years old, not 16 as the rules require.

Chinese officials have strenuously denied the allegations.

If true, they would tarnish the home nation's image.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/gymnastics/7575929.stm