The US jobless rate remains high though, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says he doesn't foresee the economy growing fast enough to make a big difference.

 

"(If) the economy is growing at trend or less, you're just not going to see much progress on unemployment. So the real question is not there's something wrong with the labor market. I don't think there's anything, in particular, wrong with the labor market. I think the question is why isn't the economy growing faster?"

 

But Bernanke says he doesn't think the US is headed for another recession.

 

Two days before his first debate with President Obama, Republican former Governor Mitt Romney is calling for a new strategy toward the Middle East. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports Romney is using a Wall Street Journal op-ed to continue his foreign policy attacks on the president.

 

The column extends Mitt Romney's critique that "our country seems to be at the mercy of events rather than shaping them." He talks about the attacks in Libya that killed a US ambassador, about Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and about the US relationship with Israel. Romney argues that President Obama is letting US global leadership wane. While the column calls for a new Middle East strategy, Romney does not offer specific policy details. This Wall Street Journal piece comes days before a crucial debate that will focus on domestic not foreign policy. The Romney campaign has been talking more about foreign policy in recent weeks. They see it as a growing Obama administration weakness since the White House admitted that attacks in Libya were an act of terrorism by people with the connection to al-Qaeda. Ari Shapiro, NPR News.

 

The German Social Democratic candidate who will challenge Chancellor Angela Merkel in elections next year is accusing her government of failing to tackle the underlying causes of Europe's debt crisis. Details from NPR's Sylvia Poggioli.

 

As soon as Peer Steinbrück was nominated today as his party's top candidate, he said Angela Merkel's government is fighting off the symptoms, but not the underlying causes of the eurozone crisis. Europe's financial sector must be fully overhauled, he said, as he called for greater regulation of banks and hedge funds. In further contrast with the stringent austerity policies of the Merkel government, Steinbrück said that while heavily indebted Greece must stick to its bailout commitments, it should be given more time. And he did not rule out a third rescue package for Athens. Steinbrück said Greece will struggle to borrow from the markets for seven to eight years and will have to help for this period. Sylvia Poggioli, NPR News, Berlin.

 

Dow was up more than 100 points.

 

This is NPR News.

 

A New Mexico company is expanding its recall of its peanut butter products. Sunland's decision affects multiple brand names after salmonella illnesses were linked to Trader Joe's Creamy Salted Valencia Peanut Butter. Federal health officials are saying 30 illnesses have now been reported in 19 states.

 

Minnesota Orchestra musicians are facing a lockout possibly after their contract talks with management collapsed yesterday. The Associated Press is reporting today no new talks are scheduled. Last week management threatened to lock musicians out once the contract expired. At midnight the musicians had rejected an offer that would have cut salaries in average of 34%.

 

"Hotel Transylvania" is the top draw at theaters in the United States as well as Canada, earning an estimated 43 million dollars in ticket sales. NPR's Trina Williams reports "Hotel Transylvania" sets a new record high for September debuts.

 

Higher ticket prices helped "Hotel Transylvania" top "Sweet Home Alabama" which had held the record for ten years. "Sweet Home Alabama" actually sold more tickets. Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez are voices featured in "Hotel Transylvania."

 

"I want to go out and see the world."

 

"Wowowow honey, you're too young."

 

"I'm 118 years old."

 

"Don't give me the pouty bat face."

 

The 3D animated movie also jolts the box office back to life after a late summer dip. Appealing to action fans, "Looper" opens strongly at number two, providing a further boost to the box office. Last weekend's winner "End of Watch" drops to third place, "Trouble with the Curve" is fourth, and "House at the End of the Street" closes out the top five. The weekend's other new wide release "Won't Back Down" debuts at No. 10. Trina Williams, NPR News.