New York - The world's largest construction equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar Inc, saw profits fall in the third quarter on higher raw material and energy costs and the effects of a weaker globa

Los Angeles - With the oldest ever candidate and the first black nominee the upcoming US election already has a lot of firsts. Now add another: drive-through voting.

For a few hours Tuesday night voters in car-crazy Orange County can perform their civic duty without leaving the comfort of their automobiles at eight electronic booths set up in a southern Californian parking lot. The booths are also available for voters to register on the last permitted day before the November 4 election.

New York - United Airl

Washington  - With only 14 days to go before the US general election, presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama crisscrossed swing states Tuesday that will be crucial to success on November 4.

Obama held a roundtable discussion in Tampa, Florida with economic advisors and state governors from across the country, part of a major tour this week by the Democratic nominee and his surrogates across the state that gave President George W Bush a wafer-thin victory in 2000.

New York - US manufacturer 3M overcame the economic slowdown in its home market with strong international sales in the third quarter, the company said Tuesday.

Profits rose 3 per cent over the year earlier period to 991 million dollars, the St Paul, Minnesota maker of products like Post It notes and Scotch tape said. Revenue rose more than 6 per cent to
6.6 billion dollars.

The earnings were above analysts' expectations, but the company warned profits for the year could still fall below predictions as the economic downturn spreads worldwide.