World: Algerian special forces say they have re-taken that desert natural gas complex, killing 11 Islamist militants. Seven hostages are reported to have died. With 18 gunmen already reported dead, numbers remain unclear as to the total of casualties in the four-day incident.

• The manager of Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet has been the victim of an acid attack and doctors are trying to save his eyesight. Sergei Filin was said to have been the target of threats for months. Some suspect the attack is the result of internal artistic disputes within the Bolshoi.

National:  House Republicans have offered to horse-trade a temporary increase in the debt limit for a budget resolution from the Democratic majority Senate. This is a partial win for the President who has said he will not negotiate budget cuts under the gun of a government shutdown.

• The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced it will no longer use screener machines that essentially show a naked image of the traveller to the operators. The manufacturers have been asked to produce software that shows foreign objects on an “avatar” human image.

Liestrong: In the second half of his interview with Oprah Winfrey, disgraced cycling champion Lance Armstrong questioned whether he should be banned from sports for life “I deserve to be punished. I’m not sure I deserve a death penalty,” he said. Armstrong also said that the day the US Anti Doping Agency announced a finding that he doped, he lost $75 million in endorsements.

The Big Easy Money: Former New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin, who rose to national fame in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, has been charged with 21 counts of corruption in dealing with city vendors. Nagin became notorious in particular for telling federal officials to “get off your asses” to help his city. Charges against him include taking kickbacks, wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns.

On Ice: The National Hockey league starts its season today after a 119-day lockout.

Footloose: The Subway sandwich chain in Australia was called out by a customer who measured his “Footlong” sandwich at only 11 inches. Subway responded saying “Footlong” is just a name for the sandwich and not meant to be literally true, despite years of advertising that said a “Footlong” is actually one foot long. Meanwhile the nose on Subway’s spokesman has grown to be a foot long.

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