AP - Asian stock markets tumbled Wednesday, with Japan's Nikkei index sinking nearly 10 percent, as recent steps by the world's major economies to fortify credit markets failed to stem fears that the spreading financial crisis could spawn a global recession.

Time.com - John McCain went on the offensive and Barack Obama played it safe. But nothing happened to shake up a race that is trending more and more in the Democrat's favor

AP - Republican John McCain expressed incredulity in the presidential debate Tuesday that Democrat Barack Obama would tip off the enemy by saying publicly that he'd attack al-Qaida in Pakistan under certain conditions. "Remarkable," McCain said during the presidential debate, meaning remarkably irresponsible.

Reuters - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has a slim 2-point lead on Republican rival John McCain in a tight White House race, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

AP - Barack Obama and John McCain clashed repeatedly over the causes and cures for the worst economic crisis in 80 years Tuesday night in a debate in which Republican McCain called for sweeping action by the government to directly shield many homeowners from mortgage foreclosure.