AP - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised to send a "strong message" to Zimbabwe on the importance of a transparent election when she presides over United Nations debate Thursday.

AFP - The US House of Representative prepared to vote Thursday on compromise legislation freeing up some 162 billion dollars for US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan over the next several months.

AP - Cindy McCain harshly criticized Myanmar's military junta Thursday while vowing to make improving human rights there a priority if she becomes America's next first lady.

AP - Barack Obama is poised to pick up the endorsement of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a political powerhouse union that was a strong backer of his former Democratic rival Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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