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News Gulf Coast senators to Obama: Ensure BP spill deal is fair IMF to lower global growth forecasts: German paper U.S., Peru to update 60-year-old defense cooperation accord Obama and Democrats raise record funds, poll holds steady Arkansas Republicans' comments on slavery, Muslims stir controversy More Canadians fall sick in huge E. coli beef recall California gasoline prices hit record amid supply woes Egypt's Mursi says falls short of goals, seeks to assuage critics Tehran's Grand Bazaar reopens, currency trade still frozen Death toll from meningitis outbreak rises to seven U.S. says receives Airbus A350 loan funding documents Turkey strikes back at Syria after Erdogan warning Israeli leaders confront political rift as election looms Captain killed, tourists hurt in blast on Greek boat Tanzania asks for mediation over Lake Malawi dispute Indiana Senate race may hinge on disenchanted Lugar backers Obama still more liked than Romney despite poor debate Israeli air force shoots down drone aircraft Iranian relief workers in Libya freed Somali president names political newcomer as PM, urges unity Touring South America, Panetta renews defense ties with Peru French police kill one in raid linked to Jewish market attack Comedian Steve Martin in ad for Nebraska Senate candidate Iran denies offering new plan on nuclear impasse Analysis: Romney would lean on Congress for tax code overhaul It's not just the economy: Why football and sharks can affect elections Maine Republicans blast opponent for World of Warcraft play Revised Greek GDP figures show recession deeper than thought IMF chief praises Gulf effort on oil price management Colombian president leaves hospital after cancer surgery Islamists shoot in air to disperse protest by Timbuktu women France won't rule out bigger EADS-BAE stake: source EADS says continuing BAE merger talks with governments Greek austerity talks to continue, progress seen Somali president names political newcomer as PM: diplomats Yemen foils al Qaeda plan to bomb air base used by United States: official Blast in east Nigeria's Taraba wounds eight: official Islamist cleric from Britain to appear in U.S. court Iran fails to impose stronger rial rate, market frozen IMF's Lagarde says talks with Greece "very productive" Gulf Coast senators to Obama: Ensure BP spill deal is fair WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senators from the U.S. Gulf Coast urged President Barack Obama on Friday to ensure that any legal settlement for the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill does not undermine a recently passed law that would funnel billions of dollars worth of fines to their states. The U.S. Justice Department and BP Plc have discussed a potential settlement for damages caused both to Gulf waters and the coastline, which could be worth billions of dollars to states still trying to recover from the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. ... Full Story Top IMF to lower global growth forecasts: German paper BERLIN (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund will lower its forecasts for global economic growth to 3.3 percent this year and 3.6 percent in 2013 from earlier forecasts of 3.4 percent and 3.9 percent respectively, a Germany newspaper reported on Friday. The IMF expects the euro zone economy to shrink by 0.4 percent this year and then grow 0.2 percent in 2013, business daily Handelsblatt said in a preview of the fund's latest forecasts which are due to be released next week. Chinese growth for 2013 is seen at 8.2 percent, versus a previous IMF estimate of 8. ... Full Story Top U.S., Peru to update 60-year-old defense cooperation accord LIMA (Reuters) - The United States and Peru decided on Saturday to renegotiate a 60-year-old defense cooperation agreement between the two countries as Washington seeks to deepen security ties with Latin America after a decade focused on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said updating the 1952 bilateral defense agreement with Peru would help the two countries work more closely on issues of mutual concern, from terrorism and drug trafficking to response to natural disasters. ... Full Story Top Obama and Democrats raise record funds, poll holds steady WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's campaign and its Democratic allies raised $181 million in September for his re-election effort, the largest total that either side has announced yet in the 2012 campaign. The big September number and a good jobs report on Friday that showed unemployment dipping to 7.8 percent from 8.1 percent shifted some attention from Obama's lackluster debate performance on Wednesday against Republican Mitt Romney. ... Full Story Top Arkansas Republicans' comments on slavery, Muslims stir controversy LITTLE ROCK, Ark (Reuters) - Republicans in Arkansas are struggling to get past the controversy generated by a state lawmaker who wrote that slavery might have benefited blacks and a candidate who has advocated expelling Muslims from the United States. The Republican politicians' comments have been roundly criticized and have created an opportunity for Democrats ahead of the November 6 election. Arkansas has a Democratic governor but has voted Republican in the past three presidential elections. ... Full Story Top More Canadians fall sick in huge E. coli beef recall WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - Ten people have now fallen sick from contaminated beef products from a Canadian plant that sent its meat across Canada and the United States, more than twice the number earlier reported, health officials said on Saturday. The latest cases, linked to one of Canada's largest-ever meat recalls, include three more illnesses in Alberta, where the giant XL Foods beef processing plant is located, two in Quebec and one in Newfoundland and Labrador. All 10 people are recovering, the health and food inspection officials said on a conference call with reporters. ... Full Story Top California gasoline prices hit record amid supply woes LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Gasoline prices in California hit record levels on Saturday, after an unprecedented surge in pump prices propelled by a perfect storm of factors that drove inventories in the region down to near-historic lows. The average cost of a gallon of gas in the state stood at $4.614, edging past the previous record of $4.61 set in 2008, according to figures from AAA. But prices topped $5 a gallon in some locations. On Saturday, a local NBC station showed one downtown Los Angeles gas station selling regular grade at $5.49 a gallon. Average prices in the Golden State were $4. ... Full Story Top Egypt's Mursi says falls short of goals, seeks to assuage critics CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said on Saturday he had fallen short of goals he promised to fulfill in his first 100 days in office, but aimed to assuage critics by highlighting his most prominent achievements. Mursi, who hails from the Muslim Brotherhood, was handed power in June by the army council that ruled Egypt for 16 months following Hosni Mubarak's ouster in a popular uprising in 2011 and after a presidential election. ... Full Story Top Tehran's Grand Bazaar reopens, currency trade still frozen DUBAI (Reuters) - Tehran's Grand Bazaar reopened under close police supervision on Saturday, traders said, days after it was shut by clashes between riot police and protesters blaming the government for the collapse of the Iranian currency. Iran's government remained locked in a test of wills with currency dealers as it tried unsuccessfully to impose a stronger exchange rate for the rial, which lost about a third of its value in 10 days. ... Full Story Top Death toll from meningitis outbreak rises to seven NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - The death toll from a widening outbreak of fungal meningitis linked to steroid injections has risen to seven, with 65 cases now reported in nine states, officials said on Saturday. The latest two deaths were reported on Saturday in Michigan, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those affected fell ill after receiving steroid injections linked to a pharmaceutical compounding plant in Massachusetts. New cases in Ohio and Minnesota on Saturday brought to nine the number of states affected, officials said. ... Full Story Top U.S. says receives Airbus A350 loan funding documents WASHINGTON/PARIS (Reuters) - The U.S. government said on Saturday it had received European Union documents on funding for the Airbus A350 after requesting them from the World Trade Organization over a month ago in an ongoing transatlantic dispute over aircraft subsidies. "The compliance panel directed the EU to provide documents and briefing upon a request made by the United States more than a month ago, and we received the documents just yesterday," a spokeswoman for the U.S. Trade Representative's Office said. ... Full Story Top Turkey strikes back at Syria after Erdogan warning ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey returned fire after Syrian mortar bombs landed in a field in southern Turkey on Saturday, the day after Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan warned Syria that Turkey would not shy away from war if provoked. It was the fourth day of Turkish retaliation for firing by Syrian forces that killed five Turkish civilians on Wednesday. The exchanges are the most serious cross-border violence in Syria's conflict, which began as a democracy uprising but has evolved into a civil war with sectarian overtones. They highlight how the crisis could destabilize the region. ... Full Story Top Israeli leaders confront political rift as election looms JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned his defense minister, Ehud Barak, on Saturday to discuss allegations he had undermined the premier during recent trips to the United States, raising further speculation of an early election. The rift between Netanyahu and Barak, once close allies who have largely presented a united front when it comes to dealing with what they see as an Iranian drive to obtain a nuclear bomb, could grow into an issue that brings down the government. ... Full Story Top Captain killed, tourists hurt in blast on Greek boat ATHENS (Reuters) - A small replica cannon blew up on a mock pirate ship off the southern Aegean island of Kos on Saturday, killing the boat's captain and injuring five passengers, Greek coastguard officials said. The cannon had been loaded with explosive powder, such as that found in fireworks. A coastguard official, who declined to be named, said the captain died in the explosion. Two Dutch passengers, a Belgian and two German children were hurt, a second coastguard official told Reuters. ... Full Story Top Tanzania asks for mediation over Lake Malawi dispute DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania called on Saturday for an international mediator to resolve a long-standing border dispute with Malawi, conceding the latest talks over territorial rights to Lake Malawi and its potential reserves of oil and gas have failed. The call comes after Malawi accused its neighbor of intimidating its citizens, halting talks with Tanzania over the ownership of the lake. "It is clear now, that we cannot resolve the issue between us," Tanzania's foreign affairs minister, Bernard Membe, told a news conference. ... Full Story Top Indiana Senate race may hinge on disenchanted Lugar backers JEFFERSONVILLE, Indiana (Reuters) - Indiana Republicans last spring spurned long-time Senator Richard Lugar for a more conservative candidate, but now supporters of the soft-spoken moderate may tip the balance in the race that could determine which party controls the U.S. Senate. Republican Richard Mourdock, the state treasurer, and his Democratic opponent, Congressman Joe Donnelly, are wooing not just independent voters but disaffected and angry "Lugar Republicans." "Dick Lugar is a statesman," said Karl Stein, 63, a Republican, as he was walking the dog near Indianapolis. ... Full Story Top Obama still more liked than Romney despite poor debate WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mitt Romney's strong debate performance did little to convince more voters he understands them or is a "good person" even though he has narrowed President Barack Obama's overall poll lead, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released on Saturday. Just a month before the November 6 election, the Democratic president is ahead of his Republican challenger on character attributes that can win over undecided voters who have not been swayed on policy points. ... Full Story Top Israeli air force shoots down drone aircraft JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli air force shot down a drone after it crossed into southern Israel on Saturday, the military said, but it remained unclear where the aircraft had come from. The drone was first spotted above the Mediterranean in the area of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to the west of Israel, said military spokeswoman Avital Leibovich. It was kept under surveillance and followed by Israeli air force jets before it was shot down above a forest in an unpopulated area near the border with the occupied West Bank. Leibovich said it was shot down at about 10 a.m. ... Full Story Top Iranian relief workers in Libya freed BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Seven Iranian relief workers who had been taken hostage by an armed group in July in the Libyan city of Benghazi were freed on Saturday, a Libyan security source and the Libyan Red Crescent Association said. The seven Iranian men arrived in Benghazi in late July as guests of the Libyan Red Crescent to help with relief work in the city. They were seized from their vehicle by an unknown armed group in the heart of Benghazi. ... Full Story Top Somali president names political newcomer as PM, urges unity MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday named political newcomer Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid as the country's new prime minister, a man diplomats say is untainted by the clan rivalry and feuding that has plagued Somalia for decades. "I know (Saaid) and have selected him because he is competent," said Mohamud, who along with his prime minister face the daunting task of trying to set up Somalia's first effective central government since the outbreak of civil war in 1991. "I urge the parliament and the civilians to support him," he said in a statement. ... Full Story Top Touring South America, Panetta renews defense ties with Peru LIMA (Reuters) - Defense ministers from Peru and the United States agreed on Saturday to update their 60-year-old defense cooperation agreement as a step toward deepening military ties between the two countries. The accord was reached as the United States works to re-engage Latin America, a region that has at times complained of being neglected over the past decade as Washington fought wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. ... Full Story Top French police kill one in raid linked to Jewish market attack STRASBOURG/PARIS (Reuters) - An Islamist suspected of a grenade attack on a Jewish market was shot and killed by police in the northeastern city of Strasbourg on Saturday and 11 others detained in what prosecutors called a "vast anti-terrorist operation". Elite police squads carried out simultaneous operations against a network of radical Islamists in the Paris region and in Strasbourg, Nice and Cannes early on Saturday. ... Full Story Top Comedian Steve Martin in ad for Nebraska Senate candidate OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Steve Martin has released an off-beat ad endorsing Bob Kerrey's candidacy in Nebraska's U.S. Senate race, in which the actor and comedian demonstrates how to build a wad of paper while cue cards offering praise for Kerrey are displayed on the screen. Martin, playing the role of "home crafts expert," mangles a blank single sheet of white paper with paper clips, scissors, staples, chewing gum and a hammer, while a hand emerges from off screen offering typed messages in praise of Kerrey. "He is a principled man whom I have known and respected for many years," reads ... Full Story Top Iran denies offering new plan on nuclear impasse DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran denied on Saturday a U.S. media report that it had offered a "nine-step plan" aimed at solving its stand-off with the West over its disputed nuclear program. The New York Times reported on Thursday that Iran had proposed a plan to European officials that required the West to lift harsh oil and economic sanctions in return for the eventual suspension of uranium enrichment by Tehran. It reported Iranian officials tried to gather support for the proposal during a visit last month to the United Nations. ... Full Story Top Analysis: Romney would lean on Congress for tax code overhaul WASHINGTON (Reuters) - If Mitt Romney is elected president on November 6, he likely would look to fellow Republicans in Congress to fill in the blanks of a framework to slash rates and pare deductions as part of an overhaul of the U.S. tax code. Accused by Democrats and some academics of not spelling out how he would fund his proposed 20 percent across-the-board tax cut, Romney this week offered a hint of a solution: imposing a $17,000 to $50,000 deduction cap on tax breaks for Americans. ... Full Story Top It's not just the economy: Why football and sharks can affect elections WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the Saturday before the November 6 election, President Barack Obama might want to root for Ohio State University's football team when it takes on his home-state University of Illinois. A win by the Buckeyes could boost his chances of carrying Ohio, a crucial battleground state. Obama can take heart that Florida beachgoers haven't suffered from a spate of shark attacks this year, which could have hurt his prospects there. On the other hand, the brutal drought that has gripped much of the Midwest could make it tougher for the president to win Iowa. ... Full Story Top Maine Republicans blast opponent for World of Warcraft play LITTLETON, New Hampshire (Reuters) - A Maine Senate race has turned into a fight over trolls, dwarves and goblin-like creatures known as orcs. In a mailing this week, state Republicans accused Democrat Colleen Lachowicz of living in a fantasy world and making "crude, vicious and violent comments" in online forums dedicated to World of Warcraft, a popular online game. Lachowicz, who is challenging incumbent Senator Tom Martin, has responded by accusing Republicans of focusing on her hobbies rather than public policy issues. ... Full Story Top Revised Greek GDP figures show recession deeper than thought ATHENS (Reuters) - The Greek economy shrank even more over the last five years than previously estimated, according to revised economic growth figures released by the debt-ridden country's statistics agency. In a statement published late on Friday, the ELSTAT agency said gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 4.9 percent in 2010 and 7.1 percent in 2011, exceeding previous estimates of 3.5 percent and 6.9 percent respectively. The revision took account of "significant reductions ... in the consumption expenditure of households," ELSTAT said. ... Full Story Top IMF chief praises Gulf effort on oil price management RIYADH (Reuters) - IMF chief Christine Lagarde praised Gulf oil exporters on Saturday for their help in stabilizing the global economy by managing oil prices, despite complaints by some Western countries that energy costs are still too high. "It gives me an opportunity to thank the GCC countries for their ... stabilizing role in the global economy because of the good monitoring and good management of oil prices and oil reserves ..." the International Monetary Fund's managing director said. ... Full Story Top Colombian president leaves hospital after cancer surgery BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos was released from a hospital on Saturday and said he was "totally cured" after successful surgery for prostate cancer that had not spread beyond the gland. Santos, 61, said on Monday that doctors had discovered a tumor on his prostate. The cancer announcement came two weeks before his government was to start peace talks that could put an end to almost 50 years of war with Marxist rebels. ... Full Story Top Islamists shoot in air to disperse protest by Timbuktu women BAMAKO (Reuters) - More than 100 women marched against the imposition of strict Islamic law in the northern Malian town of Timbuktu on Saturday, but were dispersed by gunmen linked to al Qaeda firing shots in the air, witnesses said. Islamists linked to al Qaeda's North African wing, AQIM, have been in control of the fabled desert town since April and have steadily imposed their interpretation of sharia law, banning music and forcing women to cover themselves with veils. Women gathered in the main square late morning and were due to march around the town but they were stopped by gunfire. ... Full Story Top France won't rule out bigger EADS-BAE stake: source PARIS (Reuters) - France will not rule out buying shares from Lagardere that would raise its stake in a merger of EADS and BAE , a French government source said on Friday, raising the prospect of a deal-breaking clash with Britain. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, doubted a deal could be reached on the planned mega-merger of the European aerospace group and UK defense firm by an October 10 regulatory deadline and expected that date to be extended by 28 days. ... Full Story Top EADS says continuing BAE merger talks with governments BERLIN (Reuters) - EADS is continuing "constructive talks" with governments over its proposed $45 billion merger deal with BAE Systems and remains convinced that it is an excellent deal for Europe, a spokesman said on Saturday. Tensions over the proposed supermerger spilled into the open on Friday, casting doubt on a rapidly approaching deadline as France, Britain and Germany jockeyed over the role of the state in the world's largest aerospace and arms group. But EADS has been at pains to stress the merger proposal had not collapsed. ... Full Story Top Greek austerity talks to continue, progress seen ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece will continue talks with international lenders next week on new austerity measures for the debt-ridden country to clinch its next loan tranche, the finance minister said on Saturday, with both sides saying progress had been made. Negotiators had been pushing for a deal before a meeting of euro zone finance ministers on Monday, but Greece said it would settle for a statement acknowledging that talks were advancing. ... Full Story Top Somali president names political newcomer as PM: diplomats MOGADISHU (Reuters) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has named Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid as the country's new prime minister, diplomats and a government source said, the first major decision by an administration installed after over 20 years of conflict. Saaid, a political newcomer, has been a prominent businessman in neighbouring Kenya and is married to Asha Haji Elmi, an influential Somali peace activist. ... Full Story Top Yemen foils al Qaeda plan to bomb air base used by United States: official ADEN (Reuters) - Yemeni security forces foiled a plan by militants linked to al Qaeda to bomb an air base jointly used with the United States to carry out attacks against the group, a security official said on Saturday. A car packed with explosives was discovered by authorities near the gate of Al Anad air base in Yemen's southern province of Lahj, the official told Reuters. "This was a planned suicide attack. Once the car was discovered, security forces immediately arrested two men who were inside the vehicle ... The car was filled with explosives and anti-tank missiles," he added. ... Full Story Top Blast in east Nigeria's Taraba wounds eight: official LAGOS (Reuters) - An explosion near a state television studio in eastern Nigeria's Taraba state wounded eight people overnight, the emergency services said on Saturday. It was the second blast in the remote town of Jalingo, in Nigeria's volatile ethnically and religiously mixed Middle Belt, in two days. A blast at an outdoor bar there killed at least one person and wounded 14 on Thursday. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman Yushua Shuaib said by text message that a woman and five children were among the wounded, alongside two others. ... Full Story Top Islamist cleric from Britain to appear in U.S. court NEW YORK (Reuters) - Islamist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri will appear before a federal judge in New York on Saturday after Britain extradited the one-eyed radical preacher to the United States to face trial and a potential life sentence on terrorism charges. The Egyptian-born Abu Hamza, 54, is accused by Washington of supporting al Qaeda, aiding a kidnapping in Yemen and plotting to open a training camp for militants in the United States. He was flown late on Friday to the United States along with four other men also wanted on U.S. terrorism charges. ... Full Story Top Iran fails to impose stronger rial rate, market frozen DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's government was locked in a test of wills with currency dealers on Saturday as it tried unsuccessfully to impose a stronger rial exchange rate, after a plunge by the currency earlier in the week triggered street protests. Iranian news agencies reported that the government's new foreign exchange center, used by importers of some basic goods, was selling U.S. dollars at a rate of 25,970 rials. ... Full Story Top IMF's Lagarde says talks with Greece "very productive" RIYADH (Reuters) - International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said on Saturday that IMF talks with Greece on its debt crisis had been positive. The discussion of the fiscal chapter of Greece's program has been "very good and very productive", she said without elaborating. The talks also include Greece's structural reforms, financing and debt sustainability. Lagarde was speaking at a news conference after meeting with senior officials from the six oil exporters in the Gulf Cooperation Council. ... Full Story Top

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