AP - A military interrogation expert, Air Force Col. Steven Kleinman, told Congress on Thursday that prior to the abuses at Abu Ghraib, he witnessed interrogations of Iraqi detainees that he considers violations of the Geneva Conventions.

AP - A group of conservative Republicans in the House on Thursday proposed a financial rescue package of tax breaks and a new government-sponsored insurance program for mortgage-backed securities as an alternative to President Bush's proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street.

AP - Top Senate Democrats on Thursday unveiled a $56 billion plan to stimulate the economy, including proposals to extend unemployment benefits and help states pay for Medicaid.

Reuters - The stage is set, but it was unclear on Friday if Republican John McCain would show up to duel Democrat Barack Obama in the first of three debates that could help decide a tight White House race.

AP - Sen. Ted Stevens was clueless about the cost and scope of a pricey makeover of his Alaska cabin that led to federal corruption charges and threatened his lengthy career, his lawyer said Thursday at the opening of his trial.

AP - Even for a party whose president suffers dismal approval ratings, whose legislative wing lost control of Congress and whose presidential nominee trails in the polls, it was a remarkably bad day for Republicans.

AFP - With 40 days to go until election day, the fast-moving global financial crisis has transformed the White House race into a daring duel of political brinkmanship for John McCain and Barack Obama.

AP - Democrat Nancy Boyda rode anti-war and anti-Republican sentiment into the U.S. House two years ago, but economic uncertainty is focusing her re-election race on domestic issues.

Reuters - House of Representatives Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank said House and Senate Democrats have agreed on a financial bailout plan and were talking to Republican lawmakers.