AFP - The financial turmoil that has rocked global markets appears to be benefiting US presidential hopeful Barack Obama, according to a new poll released Monday that finds the Democratic candidate pulling ahead of his Republican opponent John McCain with a 51 percent to 46 percent lead.

Reuters - Stem cell experts said on Monday they hope the next U.S. president will end political curbs on embryonic stem cell research but some worry recent comments by Republican candidate John McCain suggest his past support for such research may be waning.

AP - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai this coming week in New York, campaign officials for GOP nominee John McCain confirmed Saturday.

AP - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is scheduled to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai next week in New York, campaign officials for GOP nominee John McCain confirmed Saturday.

AP - McCain says Fed shouldn't bail out failing financial institutions ... Obama backs 'broad authority' to deal with credit, no details ... Investigator: Palin probe to conclude before election ... Biden calls for end of 'cowboy mentality' on Wall Street ... Poll: When it comes to watching football, more would hang with Obama than McCain — by a nose

Reuters - Republican nominee John McCain, seeking a lift in the U.S. presidential race, proposed stricter Wall Street regulation on Friday and assailed Democrat Barack Obama for not offering a plan to deal with the financial crisis.

AP - Rep. Charles Rangel wrote six checks for about $10,800 in back taxes, and then penned an open letter to New Yorkers Friday, saying he has done nothing dishonorable and is the target of a GOP "guerrilla war."

AP - McCain says Fed shouldn't bail out failing financial institutions ... Poll: When it comes to watching football, more would hang with Obama than McCain — by a nose ... McCain, Obama campaigns target each other's economic advisers in latest television ads

AFP - US government measures to rid financial institutions of bad assets could add up to one trillion dollars, Republican Senator Richard Shelby said Friday.