AP - Though Sarah Palin depicts herself as a pit bull fighting good-old-boy politics, in her years as mayor she and her friends received special benefits more typical of small-town politics as usual, an Associated Press investigation shows.

AP - Fishermen moved boats to shelter from a rare burst of tropical weather along Maine's rugged Down East coast Sunday as Hurricane Kyle plowed past on its way to Canada, threatening a glancing blow equivalent to a classic nor'easter storm without the snow.

AP - Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain on Sunday gingerly embraced a newly negotiated congressional deal for a $700 billion bailout of the hobbled financial industry.

AP - Key lawmakers who struck a post-midnight deal on a $700 billion bailout for the financial industry predicted Sunday it would pass Congress, putting in place the largest government intervention in markets since the Great Depression.

AFP - Polls opened Sunday in Austria in early general elections expected to see the far-right gain ground, after the collapse of the left-right coalition that has been in power for less than two years.

AFP - US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and leading lawmakers early Sunday reported "great progress toward" reaching an unprecedented multi-billion-dollar Wall Street bailout plan before markets reopen, saying the accord would likely be finalized later in the day.

Reuters - Undefeated Andre Berto defended his WBC welterweight title on Saturday night with a 12-round unanimous decision over Steve Forbes.

Reuters - Congressional leaders locked themselves behind closed doors on Saturday with an urgent mission to reach a deal on a proposed $700 billion bailout of the financial industry amid the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Reuters - U.S. congressional leaders on Sunday said they had reached the broad outline of a deal to put in place a $700 billion financial system bailout but were awaiting details on paper before declaring it final.

Reuters - Legendary film star Paul Newman, whose brilliant blue eyes, good looks, cool style and talent made him one of Hollywood's top actors over six decades has died at age 83 after a long battle with cancer.

AP - Forget the blackout. This was an early knockout. Backed by a dominant defense and John Parker Wilson's accurate passing, No. 8 Alabama raced to a stunning 31-point lead by halftime against self-destructing Georgia and held on to beat the third-ranked Bulldogs 41-30 Saturday night, establishing Nick Saban's team as a national championship contender in his second season.

AP - The Fightin' Phils are going back to the playoffs. Just getting there won't be good enough this time. Jimmy Rollins made a sliding stop with the bases loaded to start a game-ending double play, and the Philadelphia Phillies clinched their second consecutive NL East title by holding off the Washington Nationals 4-3 on Saturday.

AP - Tina Fey reprised her role as Sarah Palin on "Saturday Night Live," again appearing as the Republican vice presidential candidate in an opening sketch.

AP - Republican John McCain placed phone calls to President Bush and Republican congressional leaders Saturday to help steer a bailout of failed financial institutions. His campaign and that of rival Barack Obama also sought to steer perception of the first presidential debate.