REUTERS AMERICA NEWS PLAN FOR WEDNESDAY SEPT 7
REUTERS AMERICA MORNING NEWS PLAN FOR WEDNESDAY SEPT 7
LATEST AND PLANNED U.S. NEWS COVERAGE (ALL TIMES ET)
Top stories as of 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday.
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BREAKING
Rescuers bring 354 boat migrants to Sicily
AUGUSTA, Italy - Rescuers brought more than 350 migrants to shore in Sicily on Wednesday along with the bodies of five women and two men who had died on the perilous journey. More than half had been taken from three boats in distress off Libya's coast on Monday, staff from the Malta-based Migrant Offshore Aid Station said. (EUROPE-MIGRANTS/SICILY-ARRIVALS (TV, PIX), moved at 7:12 a.m., 124 words)
Top Saudi cleric says Iran leaders not Muslims as haj fight grows
DUBAI - Saudi Arabia's top religious authority accuses Iran's leaders of not being Muslims, drawing a rebuke from Tehran in a harsh exchange between the regional rivals over the running of the annual haj pilgrimage. (SAUDI-IRAN/MUFTI (UPDATE 4), moved at 9:17 a.m., 685 words)
Green Party candidate Jill Stein faces probe over North Dakota pipeline protest
WASHINGTON - Authorities in North Dakota said they are investigating possible charges against U.S. Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein for allegedly damaging equipment amid protests on Tuesday over construction of an oil pipeline in the state. (USA-ELECTION/GREENS-ARREST (PIX, TV, GRAPHIC), moving shortly, 297 words)
TOP STORIES
Trump and Clinton look to pass commander-in-chief test on Wednesday
PHILADELPHIA - Donald Trump, pledging a major new military build-up, and Hillary Clinton get a chance to show how they will lead the U.S. armed forces as commander-in-chief at an evening Q-sand-A session before veterans and their families. (USA-ELECTION/ (PIX), moved at 6 a.m., by Steve Holland, 667 words, will be led through the day) Note: Televised forum at 8 p.m.
Turkey says ready to help U.S. capture Islamic State stronghold in Syria
ISTANBUL - President Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey is ready to join a U.S. initiative to capture Islamic State's stronghold in Syria as Turkish-backed forces seize more Syrian territory from the jihadists. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/TURKEY-SYRIA (UPDATE 1, PIX), moved at 6 a.m., 540 words)
U.S. says testing Russia on Syria but developments "not encouraging"
OXFORD, England - U.S. diplomats are trying to persuade Russia to take steps toward a true ceasefire in Syria and to nudge Damascus toward a political transition but news out of Syria is "not encouraging," Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Wednesday. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-CARTER (CORRECTED), moved at 7:09 a.m., 64 words) See also: Syrian opposition says to reject any U.S./Russia deal unlike its own plan (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-OPPOSITION (UPDATE 2), moved at 7:24 a.m., 478 words)
Apple sets stage for iPhone 7, many already waiting for 8
SAN FRANCISCO - The iPhone 7 is expected to make its global debut on Wednesday, but many consumers and investors are already setting their sights on Apple Inc's 2017 version of the popular gadget, hoping for more significant advances. (APPLE-IPHONE/, moved at 7 a.m., by Julia Love, 437 words) Note: Apple to unveil product and brief reporters at 1 p.m. ET
Thanksgiving flight bookings to Miami falling on Zika risk
-- Flight bookings to Miami for the Thanksgiving holiday in November dropped after the Zika virus was detected in the Wynwood area in the popular tourist destination, travel data analysis company Forward Keys said. (HEALTH-ZIKA/TRAVEL, moving shortly, 272 words)
OBAMA IN ASIA
After insult, U.S. and Clinton call for Duterte to show respect
WASHINGTON/TAMPA - The U.S. State Department and Hillary Clinton stress the need for ties with the Philippines to be based on mutual respect after Manila's new leader raised worries about the future of the alliance by calling President Barack Obama a "son of a bitch." (LAOS-OBAMA/DUTERTE-USA (UPDATE 1), moved at 11:44 a.m., 673 words) See also: Suited for summit, dapper Duterte tries the presidential look (ASEAN-SUMMIT/PHILIPPINES-DUTERTE (PIX, TV), moved at 7:52 a.m., 374 words)
Tensions over South China Sea belie summit cordiality
VIENTIANE - The Philippines said on Wednesday it was "gravely concerned" that Chinese boats were preparing to build structures at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, shattering an appearance of cordiality at an Asian summit in Laos. (ASEAN-SUMMIT/SOUTHCHINASEA (UPDATE 2, PIX, GRAPHIC), moved at 7:37 a.m., 814 words) See also: Japan to provide planes, ships for Philippines amid sea dispute with China (ASEAN-SUMMIT/JAPAN-PHILIPPINES (PIX), moved at 4:30 a.m., 163 words)
Japan pledges $440 million to bolster Asia's anti-terrorism steps
VIENTIANE - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged $440 million on Wednesday to help Asian countries strengthen counter-terrorism measures, a government spokesman said, as the region sees a surge in large-scale attacks. (ASEAN-SUMMIT/JAPAN-TERRORISM, moved at 7:10 a.m., 153 words) See also: Chinese coast guard seen involved in most South China Sea clashes (SOUTHCHINASEA-CHINA/COASTGUARD (UPDATE 2), moved, 527 words)
Philippines' ties with China and the United States
(ASEAN-SUMMIT/PHILIPPINES-TIES (FACTBOX), moving shortly, 320 words)
CAMPAIGN
Invoking religion, a more disciplined Trump speaks of unity in new stump speech
GREENVILLE, N.C., Va./WASHINGTON - Donald Trump invoked religion, talked of unifying Americans and tried to raise doubts about whether Democratic rival Hillary Clinton can be trusted in a new campaign stump speech unveiled on Tuesday. "I will fight for Detroit, for Chicago, for Baltimore, and for every neglected part of this nation - and I will fight to bring us all together as one American people," Trump told a packed rally in Greenville, North Carolina. (USA-ELECTION/ (UPDATE 2, PIX, TV, GRAPHIC), moved at 9 p.m., 800 words)
Clinton slams Trump for commenting on Fed policies
TAMPA, Fla. - Hillary Clinton criticized Donald Trump on Tuesday for making comments about the Federal Reserve's monetary policies, which she said should be off-limits for presidents and presidential candidates. (USA-ELECTION/CLINTON (UPDATE 2), moved, 398 words)
WASHINGTON
North Korean nuclear envoy visits China
SEOUL - A senior diplomat from North Korea involved in stalled international talks to end its nuclear program has visited China, a South Korea news agency says, as China endorses a fresh rebuke of the North by the United Nations. (NORTHKOREA-NUCLEAR/CHINA, moved at 3:46 a.m., 347 words)
Bosch accused of concealing VW use of diesel gate 'defeat device' software
WASHINGTON - Auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH concealed the use of Volkswagen AG's secret "defeat device" software that it helped design and demanded in 2008 that the German automaker provide legal protection in its use, lawyers for American owners allege in a court filing. (VOLKSWAGEN-EMISSIONS/BOSCH, moved, 475 words)
Fed releases Beige Book economic outlook on Wednesday
WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve issues its so-called Beige Book, an compendium of anecdotes on the health of the economy drawn from the central bank's sources across the nation. (USA-FED, expect at 2 p.m., 400 words)
Fed bankers testify on gov4ernance before House critics
WASHINGTON - Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker and Kansas City Fed President Esther George on Wednesday will likely defend the Fed's current structure before House lawmakers who would like more ethnic diversity at the central bank. (USA-FED/GOVERNANCE, expect after 10 a.m., 400 words)
OTHER U.S. NEWS
Minor earthquake in the State of Washington rattles homes
SEATTLE - A 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest of the State of Washington on Tuesday night, the United States Geological Survey reported, briefly shaking homes and rattling residents. (WASHINGTON-QUAKE/, moved at 5:33 a.m., 110 words)
Jury chosen Bundy brothers and others go on trial for Oregon standoff
PORTLAND - The trial of seven anti-government activists, including ranchers Ammon and Ryan Bundy, for leading an armed takeover of a federal wildlife refuge in Oregon was set to begin on Wednesday with jury selection, court documents show. (OREGON-MILITIA/, moved, 290 words, will be led from court)
U.S. removes protection for most humpback whales
WASHINGTON - The U.S. government lifted protection for most humpback whales around the globe on Tuesday including some in American waters based on evidence they have made a strong comeback since commercial whaling drove them to near extinction. (USA-WHALES/PROTECTION , moved at 12:54 a.m., 251 words)
Ohio coroner links elephant tranquilizer to series of overdose deaths
-- At least eight people in the Cincinnati area who died of heroin drug overdoses since mid-July had traces of a drug used to tranquilize elephants in their bodies, a coroner said Tuesday. (OHIO-DRUG/, moved at 11:49 p.m., by Steve Bittenbender, 371 words)
Police, FBI dig for remains of California college student missing for 20 years
LOS ANGELES - Police and FBI agents on Tuesday began what they called an excavation project at a central California state university campus in hopes of discovering the remains of a 19-year-old student who disappeared two decades ago. (CALIFORNIA-MISSING/ (TV), moved at 9:26 p.m., by Dan Whitcomb, 392 words)
MIDDLE EAST
Shi'ite militia says sends 1,000 more fighters to Syria's Aleppo
BAGHDAD - An Iraqi Shi'ite militia fighting in Syria on the government's side has sent more than 1,000 extra fighters to southern parts of Aleppo over the past two days to reinforce its positions, the group's spokesman Hashim al-Moussawi said on Wednesday. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/IRAQ MILITIA-ALEPPO (UPDATE 1), moved at 8:08 a.m., 135 words) See also: Turkish official says first civilians head home to Syria since offensive (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-TURKEY-REFUGEES, moved at 8:33 a.m., 136 words)
Taliban offensive nears Afghan provincial capital
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan - Taliban forces have fought their way to within a few kilometers of the capital of Afghanistan's central province of Uruzgan, officials said on Wednesday, warning of its collapse unless authorities provide air support and ground reinforcements. (AFGHANISTAN-TALIBAN/, moved at 9:11 a.m., 380 words)
UN says fighting in Syria's Hama province displaces 100,000
GENEVA - Fighting in Syria's western Hama province displaced an estimated 100,000 people between Aug. 28 and Sept. 5, the United Nations says, citing the Syrian Arab Red Crescent and the governor of the province. (MIDEAST-CRISIS/SYRIA-HAMA (UPDATE 1), moved, 240 words)
WORLD
Merkel strikes back, defends migrant policy after election rout
BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkel hit backat critics of her open-door migrant policy on Wednesday after her conservative CDU party was humiliated in a regional vote, urging all parties to fight the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany party with facts. (EUROPE-MIGRANTS/GERMANY-MERKEL (UPDATE 1, TV), moving shortly, 550 words) See also: Austria threatens to sue Hungary over migrants (EUROPE-MIGRANTS/AUSTRIA-HUNGARY (UPDATE 1), moved, 385 words)
Work on Calais wall to shut out migrants to start this month
LONDON/CALAIS, France - Work on building a wall along the approach road to the French port of Calais to try to stop migrants from jumping aboard trucks bound for Britain will begin this month, British officials said. (EUROPE-MIGRANTS/CALAIS-BRITAIN (UPDATE 1), moved at 7:47 a.m., 316 words) See also: Danish PM to push ahead with tough asylum law despite EU rules (EUROPE-MIGRANTS/DENMARK, moved at 7:18 a.m., 353 words)
Nigerian army says arrests Avengers leader, other militants
ABUJA - Nigeria's military said on Wednesday it had arrested a suspected leader of the Niger Delta Avengers militant group and other men accused of attacking oil and gas infrastructure. (NIGERIA-SECURITY/OIL, moved at 7 a.m., 170 words) See also: Nigerian army faces new dangers in Boko Haram campaign (NIGERIA-SECURITY/ (PIX, TV), moved, by Ulf Laessing, 1,300 words)
Gabon's Bongo shrugs off calls for vote recount
PARIS - Gabon's re-elected President Ali Bongo shrugs off international calls for a recount of last week's disputed vote, saying it is a matter for the constitutional court to decide. (GABON-ELECTION/ (UPDATE 2, PIX), moved at 5:30 a.m., 580 words)
Former PM calls Abe's Fukushima 'under control' pledge for Olympics a lie
TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's promise that the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant was "under control" in his successful pitch three years ago for Tokyo to host the 2020 Olympic Games "was a lie," former premier Junichiro Koizumi says. (JAPAN-NUCLEAR/, moved at 4:40 a.m., by Linda Sieg and Megumi Lim, 375 words)
FEATURE
Struggling to feed families, Venezuelans abandon pets
LOS TEQUES, Venezuela - Venezuelans struggling to feed their families let alone pets amid an unprecedented economic crisis are increasingly dumping scrawny animals in streets, parks and makeshift shelters. (VENEZUELA-ECONOMY/ANIMALS (WIDER IMAGE, PIX, TV), expect by 10 a.m., by Carlos Garcia Rawlins and Girish Gupta, 394 words)
HEALTH AND SCIENCE
U.S.-Russian crew lands in Kazakhstan after 172 days in space
CAPE CANAVERAL - A U.S. astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts wrapped up a 172-day mission aboard the International Space Station with a parachute descent and landing at dawn on the steppes of Kazakhstan, a NASA TV broadcast showed. (SPACE-STATION/ (UPDATE 1, PIX, TV), moved at 9:35 p.m., by Irene Klotz, 340 words)
Malaysia confirms first case of Zika in a pregnant woman
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia confirms its first case of the Zika virus in a pregnant woman, a 27-year-old living in a southern city next to the city-state of Singapore. (HEALTH-ZIKA/MALAYSIA (UPDATE 1), moved, 230 words) See also: HEALTH-ZIKA/CHINA (UPDATE 1), moved, 280 words
MRIs in early pregnancy appear safe, but contrast agent may not be
(HEALTH-PREGNANCY/MRI-CONTRAST, moved, 660 words)
Reliability of at-home wrist blood pressure monitoring questioned
(HEALTH-HYPERTENSION/WRIST-MONITORS, moved, 692 words)
Gluten-free diet becoming more common even if celiac disease isn't
(HEALTH-DIET/GLUTEN, moved, 460 words)
Sexual function problems common for younger adults after heart attack
(HEART-ATTACK/SEXUAL-FUNCTION, moved, 542 words)
ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE
Cosby could face multiple accusers at June assault trial
NORRISTOWN, Pa. - Bill Cosby's sexual assault trial in Pennsylvania has been scheduled for June next year, and if prosecutors have their way, more than a dozen accusers will take the stand to detail what they claim is a decades-long pattern of attacks. (PEOPLE-COSBY/ (UPDATE 4, PIX), moved at 10:46 p.m., by Joseph Ax, 582 words)
Madonna, Guy Ritchie settle child custody dispute - court official
NEW YORK - Singer Madonna and her ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie, have settled a custody dispute over their 16-year-old son Rocco, a court official in New York said on Wednesday. It was not immediately announced with which parent the teenager would live. (PEOPLE-MADONNA/, moved at 9:08 a.m., 155 words)
CONSUMER TECH
VW says van drivers' electric eureka moment yet to come
BERLIN - Volkswagen will launch its first battery-powered van later this month as it shifts to zero-emission vehicles following its diesel cheating scandal but customers are still skeptical about the benefits of going electric. (VOLKSWAGEN-ELECTRIC/, moved at 8 a.m., 460 words)
BREXIT
British finance minister to meet bank bosses on Brexit game plan
LONDON - Top British bankers will tell finance minister Philip Hammond to give them a clearer idea of what the country's divorce from the European Union will mean for them when they hold their first meeting since the Brexit vote. (BRITAIN-EU/BANKS-HAMMOND (UPDATE 1), moved, 510 words)
BUSINESS AND MARKETS
Fed's Williams wants rate hike, eyes higher inflation goal
RENO - Raising U.S. interest rates makes sense now that the economy is at full employment and "within sight" of the central bank's 2-percent inflation goal, San Francisco Fed President John Williams says. (USA-FED/WILLIAMS (UPDATE 1, PIX, REPEAT), moved at 7 a.m., by Ann Saphir, 400 words)
St. Jude sues short seller Muddy Waters, MedSec over heart device allegations
-- St. Jude Medical said on Wednesday it had filed a lawsuit against short-selling firm Muddy Waters and cyber security company MedSec Holdings Ltd alleging they intentionally disseminated false and misleading information in order to lower the value of St. Jude's stock and profit as a result. (ST JUDE MEDICAL-CYBER/ (UPDATE 1), moved at 8:50 a.m., 312 words)
Analyst says Ackman may ask Chipotle to revamp its board
-- Activist investor William Ackman's newly revealed stake in Chipotle Mexican Grill will help him push for changes at the fast-casual Mexican food chain's board at a time when the company is struggling to draw back customers after being plagued by a string of food safety issues. (CHIPOTLE-ACKMAN/RESEARCH, moving shortly, 340 words)
Delta Air lowers third-quarter outlook after outage
-- Delta Air Lines has lowered its third-quarter forecasts for closely watched profit and revenue measures after a power outage in August forced it to cancel 2,300 flights over a three-day period, the company said in a filing on Wednesday. (DELTA AIR-OUTLOOK/ (UPDATE 1), moving shortly, 225 words)
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