Tackling financial problems...Wachovia deal gets green light...Norbert rains on Texas

Washington (AP) The World Bank says it will help developing countries strengthen their economies, bolster their financial systems and protect the poor. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, meanwhile, has told international bankers that isolationism and protectionism could worsen the spreading financial crisis.

WASHINGTON (AP) The Federal Reserve has given the go-ahead for Wells Fargo to buy Wachovia bank for $11.7 billion. The Fed's move comes after the deal won the blessing of antitrust regulators.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) John McCain is vowing to "whip" what he calls Barack Obama's "you-know-what" in Wednesday's third and final presidential debate. McCain's pledge comes even as top advisers say he's weighing new economic proposals to help the nation weather the financial crisis.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says the McCain campaign is trying to distract Americans on the economy by making "unbecoming personal attacks" on Barack Obama. Biden told a rally in Scranton, Pennsylvania, that John McCain doesn't have the right ideas to get the nation's economy back on track.

PUERTO SAN CARLOS, Mexico (AP) The remnants of Hurricane Norbert have been dumping moderate rain across West Texas, but no problems are being reported. Meantime, Tropical Storm Nana has formed in the eastern Atlantic. Forecasters predict it will quickly weaken to a tropical depression.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-12-08 1752CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list