AP - In the corruption trial of Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, prosecutors want jurors to ask themselves this question: Wouldn't you realize it if your home-improvement contractor gave you tons of free stuff?

AP - Automakers gained $25 billion in taxpayer-subsidized loans and oil companies won elimination of a long-standing ban on drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as the Senate passed a sprawling spending bill Saturday.

AFP - After two days of high drama in the White House race, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama geared Friday for the much-anticipated first presidential debate of the US elections.

AP - The first black heavyweight champion should be granted a presidential pardon for a racially motivated conviction 75 years ago that blemished his reputation and hurt his boxing career, the House recommended Friday.

Reuters - The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee said on Friday he was hopeful Congress could reach a deal on a bank bailout bill this weekend, but he was not giving any firm deadlines.