USA
The US has dismantled three times as many nuclear warheads as projected during the 2007 budget year under the terms of an arms control treaty with Russia, the National Nuclear Security Administration said Sunday. Although the agency did not provide any numbers, it's believed to be dismantling thousands of warheads from an estimated 6,000. Development of replacement warheads is under way.
The Philadelphia Phillies, who were seven games out of first place with 17 to play, completed an improbable run to baseball's postseason Sunday by overtaking the New York Mets on the last day of the season. It was a sweet counterpoint to the Phillies' infamous 1964 collapse, when they blew the National League pennant by losing their last 10 games.
Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) nipped a government shutdown in the bud early Monday morning by reaching a budget deal. To erase a projected $1.75 billion deficit, the deal calls for raising the income-tax rate from 3.9 to 4.35 percent and expanding the 6 percent sales tax to some services. Below Granholm talks with Senate majority leader Mike Bishop (R).
Due to a drought in some areas and too much rain in others, US pumpkin production is expected to fall for a second straight year, the Department of Agriculture said. For consumers, that could mean paying 10 cents per pound more for a Halloween pumpkin.
President Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates attended a farewell tribute Monday at Fort Myer, Va., for Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who is retiring as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position he's held since 2005. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen is replacing Pace.
Starkville, Miss., where late country singer Johnny Cash was arrested in 1965 for picking flowers in someone's yard, will hold the first Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival Nov. 2-4. The event is intended to focus on redemption.
Only 31 percent of small business owners plan to hire staff in the next six months, the second-lowest percentage in seven years, according to an American Express survey of business owners.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre set a new National Football League record Sunday by completing his 421st career touchdown pass, a 16-yard bullet to receiver Greg Jennings, whom he hoisted on his shoulders in celebration. Aided by a second Favre TD toss, the Packers (4-0) beat the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, 23-16.