Democratic Party presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in a debate Thursday in Texas. VOA's Greg Flakus reports from Houston there was more agreement on issues than clashes over differences.

In a blow to Democrats, the House of Representatives has voted to reject a measure that would have extended existing foreign intelligence surveillance legislation by three weeks. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, the development brings more uncertainty only days before current legislation is due to expire.

U.S. Republicans and Democrats in 16 states have picked the economy as the most important issue facing the country.

U.S. Democrats living in Indonesia cast the first votes in the Super Tuesday round of primary elections. Chad Bouchard reports from Jakarta, where Senator Barack Obama was the favored candidate.

The field of U.S. presidential contenders shrank by two as Democrat John Edwards and Republican Rudy Giuliani decided to end their campaigns. Giuliani was scheduled to endorse fellow Republican John McCain at a joint appearance later in the day in California. VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone has the latest on the presidential race from Washington.

Residents in South Carolina are voting in the first Democratic primary in the American South this election season.

Democratic leaders in Congress are challenging President Bush on foreign and domestic policy, in advance of his State of the Union address on Monday. VOA's Dan Robinson reports, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid combined a list of Democratic accomplishments with criticisms of the president's policies.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flies to Colombia Thursday with 10 House Democrats in an effort to boost congressional support for a free-trade agreement with that country. The Bush administration faces an uphill battle to win election-year approval for the Colombia trade deal. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

President Bush says he is optimistic about reaching agreement with opposition legislators on an economic stimulus package. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, the U.S. central bank has cut the key interest rate in an effort to boost the troubled U.S. economy and stop a global sell-off of stocks.

U.S. presidential candidates are focusing on two southern states as they compete for a place on the ballot in the November general election.

The Nevada Democratic Party released the following turnout information today and will update this information later in the day:

Top democrats in the US Congress have sought the investigation into the destruction of two videotapes that documented harsh interrogations of terror suspects by the Justice Department.