AFP - Democrat Barack Obama topped two key national polls Thursday which showed the financial crisis reverberating through the White House race and "Palin power" fading for the Republican ticket.

Reuters - House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi left open the possibility on Thursday of passing financial industry reform legislation this year, but said she has not been given a preview of any proposals that the Bush administration could be crafting.

AP - The House has approved measures to curb speculation in oil and other commodity markets, ignoring a White House veto threat. Lawmakers said federal regulators now don't currently have the necessary tools or manpower to track trading abuses.

AP - Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens can probe the mental health of the government's star witness in next week's corruption trial against the longtime Alaska icon, a federal judge ruled Thursday.

Time.com - Looking to neutralize a key Republican campaign issue, the House majority passes legislation allowing offshore drilling

AP - A government watchdog said Wednesday that federal officials approved a new type of small jet despite problems with the plane's design and production, and overruled safety concerns.