BAGHDAD (AP) - Deaths among American forces and Iraqi civilians fell dramatically last month to their lowest levels in more than a year, according to figures compiled by the U.S. military, the Iraqi government and The Associated Press. The decline signaled a U.S. success in bringing down violence in Baghdad and surrounding regions since Washington completed its infusion of 30,000 more troops on June 15.
TSA to scrutinize remote-controlled toys WASHINGTON (AP) - Airport screeners will be taking a closer look at remote control toys in carry-on luggage due to concerns they could be used to detonate bombs, U.S. officials said Monday. The new practice is not a result of a specific threat, according to the Transportation Security Administration. But authorities recently arrested two Florida college students and accused one of them of posting a video online with instructions on how to use a remote-controlled toy to set off a bomb.
VIENNA, Austria (AP) - A Bosnian who tried to enter the U.S. Embassy in Vienna with a backpack filled with explosives, nails and Islamic literature was arrested Monday after the bag set off a metal detector and the man fled on foot, authorities said. Police sealed off the neighborhood as a precaution and shut down or rerouted nearby bus and tram lines. Officers patrolled the area with bomb-sniffing dogs.
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Police: University student fatally shot MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A University of Memphis football player was fatally shot on campus in what was believed to be a targeted attack, and classes were canceled Monday as a precaution, officials said. Taylor Bradford, 21, was shot near a university housing complex about 9:45 p.m. Sunday and then got into a car, driving a short distance before it crashed into a tree, officials said.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court opened its new term Monday refusing to get involved in two church-state disputes - one over religious organizations paying for workers' birth-control health insurance benefits, the other over an evangelical group's plea to hold religious services at a public library. The birth-control benefits dispute was triggered by a New York state law that forces religious-based social service agencies to subsidize contraceptives as part of prescription drug coverage they offer employees.
MOSCOW (AP) - President Vladimir Putin said Monday he would lead the dominant party's ticket in December parliamentary elections and suggested he could become prime minister, the strongest indication yet that he will seek to retain power after he steps down as president early next year. Putin is barred from seeking a third consecutive term in the March presidential election, but has strongly indicated he would seek to keep a hand on Russia's reins.
BEITUNIYA CHECKPOINT, West Bank (AP) - Dozens of freed Palestinian prisoners kissed the ground at this West Bank checkpoint after Israel released them in a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas ahead of a U.S.-sponsored Mideast peace conference. As the 57 prisoners headed home, Israel said it was moving forward with plans to open a new West Bank police headquarters, despite U.S. concerns that development in the area harms prospects for establishing a viable Palestinian state. The Palestinians accused Israel of undermining new peace efforts.
NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street shot higher Monday, sending the Dow Jones industrial average into record territory after a weaker than expected report on manufacturing raised hopes that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates later this month. A big acquisition by Nokia and relief over a profit warning from Citigroup Inc. added to the market's gains. The market, already advancing, bounced higher after the Institute for Supply Management said its index of manufacturing activity registered at 52.0 in September, below forecasts for a 53.0 reading. This followed mixed economic readings released in recent weeks that might prompt policymakers to shore up the economy with another cut when it meets at the end of the month.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Beyonce Knowles has scrapped plans to stage her first concert in Malaysia and will instead perform in neighboring Indonesia, which has less stringent rules about how performers should dress and behave. The announcement followed recent speculation that Knowles - who is famous for her sexy image and skimpy outfits - was reluctant to fulfill the Malaysian government's demand for female performers to cover up from the top of their chests to their knees, including their shoulders.
DENVER (AP) - The San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies finished the regular season tied for the wild card and will play one game tonight to determine who advances to play the Philadelphia Phillies in one National League Division Series starting Wednesday. Tonight's playoff was set when the Padres were beaten by Milwaukee 11-6 yesterday and the Rockies stopped Arizona 4-3.
