[fpleading url="#" img="images/stories/latest1.jpg" label="Full Story" vlabel="Video" vurl="#" title="Obama reverses Bush-era stem cell policy" subheader="Federal funding ban on stem cell research lifted"]Mr Obama signed an executive order in a major reversal of US policy, pledging to "vigourously support" new research.[/fpleading] [fpsub url="#" img="images/stories/latest2.jpg" label="Full Story" vlabel="Video" vurl="#" title="Drugmakers unite in $41.1 billion deal"]Merck, Schering-Lough deal gives companies more firepower in a competitive industry.[/fpsub] [fpsub url="#" img="images/stories/latest3.jpg" label="Full Story" vlabel="Video" vurl="#" title="AIG rescued by the US Federal Reserve"]The US Federal Reserve has announced an $85bn (£48bn) rescue package for AIG.[/fpsub] [fpsub url="#" img="images/stories/latest4.jpg" label="Full Story" vlabel="Video" vurl="#" title="Obama invites Middle Eastern Leaders"]Obama is seeking to restart the Middle East peace process with White House meeting.[/fpsub] [fpsub url="#" img="images/stories/latest5.jpg" label="Full Story" vlabel="Video" vurl="#" title="UK faces decade of pain"]The government must close a £90bn hole to bring the budget into balance.[/fpsub]