Reuters: Top Global and Breaking News

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LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Toyota secretly bought back from U.S. consumers vehicles it found with speed-control defects as part of a strategy to hide unintended-acceleration problems from safety regulators and the public, a revised lawsuit claims.

Toyota secretly bought problem cars, lawsuit says

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Several shots were fired at a Marine Corps museum near Washington overnight, police said on Friday, in the latest of a series of shootings at military buildings around the U.S. capital. No one was injured.

More shots at Marine museum in evolving sniper case

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. consumer sentiment worsened more than expected in October, hitting its weakest level since November, with concern about the economy high leading into next week's election, a survey showed on Friday.

Consumer sentiment dips to lowest since November

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BELTSVILLE, Md (Reuters) - President Barack Obama touted a proposal on Friday to provide tax relief for businesses, calling on Democrats and Republicans to join together after Tuesday's election to boost the economy.

Obama pushes tax break plan for businesses

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top U.S. official for Afghanistan sought to play down reports on secret peace talks with the Taliban, saying on Friday that no high-level discussion was under way with insurgent leaders.

U.S. plays down reports of Afghan peace talks

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HOUSTON (Reuters) - Federal investigators will have access to materials Halliburton Co used in the cementing job on BP Plc's blown-out Gulf of Mexico well after a New Orleans federal judge overseeing litigation related to the disaster ordered its release.

Judge releases Halliburton cement to government

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SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - More voters in Washington state oppose than favor a closely watched measure on the November 2 ballot that would impose an income tax on the state's wealthy, according to poll results released on Friday.

Washington state voters snubbing income tax measure

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HANOI (Reuters) - Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held informal talks on Saturday morning, Japanese Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Tetsuro Fukuyama told reporters.

Japan, China leaders met informally: Japanese official

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RIYADH (Reuters) - Iraq's Shi'ite alliance turned down a Saudi Arabian offer on Saturday to host all-party talks to resolve months of political stalemate because it said it was confident a deal could be struck in Baghdad on a new government.

Iraq's Shi'ite politicians turn down Saudi offer

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two of America's best-known television comedians drew tens of thousands of people to a rally on Saturday that was part variety show, part Halloween celebration and part political rally to call for common sense before Tuesday's congressional elections.

Comedians' pre-election rally throngs Washington