The Starting Point is a snapshot of the news that occurred overnight and a preview of the stories we expect to cover today.
Top story
Yemen authorities have charged Anwar al-Awlaki, 39, with plotting to kill foreigners and being a member of al-Qaida, The Associated Press reported. It was Yemen's first formal legal action against the U.S.-born cleric, who is being tried in absentia with Hisham Assem, another suspected terrorist.
U.S. authorities believe al-Awlaki exchanged e-mails with Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Army psychiatrist accused of last year's killings at Fort Hood, Texas, and that he helped prepare Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab for his Christmas airline bombing attempt. He's also believed to have links to the failed Times Square bombing. According to NPR, al-Awlaki was the first American placed on President Barack Obama's "capture or kill" list.
The New Mexico native is believed to be living in a mountainous region of Yemen. Although al-Awlaki has released English-language sermons on the Internet that advocate jihad, friends and tribal leaders say he has no connection to terrorism. Click here to read a profile of al-Awlaki from The Telegraph.
In other news
Yemen launched a major operation to find the Saudi bombmaker suspected of trying to send explosive-laden parcels to the U.S., Reuters reported. Ibrahim al-Asiri "is believed to be hiding and moving with senior al-Qaida elements such as (Yemen al-Qaida leader) Nasser al-Wahayshi. Security intelligence are still tracking them down to exactly identify their whereabouts," a Yemeni security official said. U.S. officials suspect a dry run for the bomb plot was conducted in September, The AP reported.
BP raised its estimate for the likely cost of the Gulf oil spill to $40 billion, The AP reported. The announcement came even as the oil company reported that it had returned to profit for the first time since the April spill.
The man who opened fire at a Walmart in Nevada on Friday actually purchased the ammunition at the store just one hour prior to the shooting, police say. According to The AP, suspect John Dennis Gillane, a Walmart employee, was armed with two handguns but only used one semi-automatic pistol during the shooting spree. The three co-workers he allegedly shot are all recovering from their injuries.
Most read overnight
Charlie O'Donnell, who announced the start of each "Wheel of Fortune" episode for decades, died on Oct. 31. Cause of death was not released. He was 78. O'Donnell was a popular radio DJ before launching his television career on "American Bandstand." He later served as the announcer for numerous Oscar and Emmy telecasts.
The San Francisco Giants beat the Texas Rangers 3-1 in Game 5 to win the World Series last night, The AP reported. Shortstop Edgar Renteria, who went 7 for 17 (.412) with a Series-leading six RBIs, earned the Series MVP award. "It was a tough year for me," he said. "I told myself to keep working hard and keep in shape because something is going to be good this year." The Giants are now tied with their longtime rivals, the Dodgers, for the fifth-most Series titles.
Public opinion
Today's poll: Do you think the Republican Party will win the 40 seats it needs to take back the House? Click here to share your thoughts.
Monday's poll: Should religious institutions pay property taxes? Seventy-three percent of respondents voted yes, 23 percent chose no and 4 percent voted maybe.
Looking ahead
U.S. voters will head to the polls to cast ballots for 37 of the 100 Senate seats, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, 37 state gubernatorial elections and in two territorial elections. Click here for the latest election stories.
Today in history
In 1959, Charles Van Doren admitted to a House subcommittee that he cheated on the TV game show "Twenty-One." The story was later dramatized in the feature film "Quiz Show."
Birthdays
* Musician Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), 35.
* Rapper Nelly, 36.
* Actor David Schwimmer, 44.
* Playwright Lynn Nottage, 46.
* Musician Bobby Dall (Poison), 47.
* Singer k.d. lang, 49.
* Musician Carter Beauford (The Dave Matthews Band), 53.
* Actress Stefanie Powers, 68.
Notable deaths
* Playwright George Bernard Shaw died in 1950 at the age of 94.
* Author/cartoonist James Thurber died in 1961 at the age of 66.
* Producer Hal Roach died in 1992 at the age of 100.
* Author Robert Cormier died in 2000 at the age of 75.
* Director Theo van Gogh died in 2004 at the age of 47.
Video of the day
Quote of the day
"In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these." --Paul Harvey
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