Politico - In a widely expected move that will give Democrat Barack Obama a huge cash advantage over Republican John McCain, Obama announced Thursday morning that he will be the first modern presidential candidate to decline public financing in a general election.

AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Thursday he'll bypass the federal public financing system in the general election, abandoning an earlier commitment to take the money if his Republican rival did as well.

AFP - A European Union delegation met Fiji's coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama on Wednesday, seeking assurances that he will stick to a pledge to hold elections to restore democracy by March 2009.

AFP - US President George W. Bush on Wednesday had harsh words for the Supreme Court's recent decision allowing inmates at the Guantanamo prison to challenge their detention in civilian courts.

AP - Federal health officials have learned of 106 more cases of salmonella linked to tainted tomatoes, putting the outbreak's toll at 383 on Wednesday and counting.

AP - The Democratic-led Congress finally appears ready to give President Bush his request for $162 billion in long-overdue funds for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

AP - Bush rallies behind McCain, helps raise $21.5 million for House and Senate candidates ... After meeting, labor union presidents say just weeks until AFL-CIO endorses Obama ... Michelle Obama writes first lady Laura Bush after she defended her 'proud' remark

AP - Republican John McCain paints Democratic rival Barack Obama as naive on foreign policy, weak on national security and, now, soft on terrorism.

AP - Seeking to energize party loyalists, President Bush on Wednesday gave his most extended public support to Sen. John McCain, his former foe for the White House. The president said McCain is the only candidate in the race who can face tough decisions and "will not flinch."

AP - Cindy McCain ranged far afield from the U.S. presidential campaign trail Thursday to showcase her charity work helping Vietnamese kids born with facial deformities.

AP - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Wednesday he would bring Osama bin Laden to justice in a way that wouldn't allow the terrorist mastermind to become a martyr, but he may be killed if the U.S. government finds him.

AP - Sen. John McCain called Wednesday for the construction of 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 and pledged $2 billion a year in federal funds "to make clean coal a reality," measures designed to reduce dependence on foreign oil.