AP - Democrats have decided to allow a quarter-century ban on drilling for oil off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts to expire next week, conceding defeat in a months-long battle with the White House and Republicans set off by $4 a gallon gasoline prices this summer.

AP - For two weeks, Peter Kinder was a Republican candidate for governor. He started lining up support from donors, businesses and grass-roots organizers.

AP - Obama says massive financial bailout probably would delay his spending initiatives ... Poll: Obama's support from former Clinton supporters stuck at same levels as in June ... Clinton says Democratic win in 2008 should be obvious, given GOP policies ... For Palin, meet-and-greet time with world leaders at UN session in NY

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."