Tuesday, October 1, 2013

World News Briefs -- October 1, 2013



US Government Shuts Down -- Voice of America

Much of the U.S. government has been shut down for the first time in 17 years, after the two branches of Congress failed by the October 1 deadline to agree on a single spending bill to keep the government operating.

Thousands of federal workers are arriving at their jobs and being told they are on furlough and being sent home.

Other federal workers, considered essential, are being told to stay on the job but there is no guarantee when they will be paid.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

U.S. considering working with allies to develop moderate Syrian military, police forces.

Russia doubts mid-November date for Syria peace talks.

Experts say Nov. 1 deadline can be met for Syria's chemical threat.

Syria conflict: Chemical arms experts cross border.

Iraq violence kills nearly 900 in September, gunmen storm police station.

Iranian President faces backlash over US visit.

Obama on Iran: We won't take military option off the table.

Iran FM accuses Israel's Netanyahu of lying.

Kurdish militants say Turkey's rights reforms not aimed at peace.

Yemen military officers taken hostage in suspected al-Qaida assault.

ASIA

Asia reacts with caution, surprise to US government shutdown.

China ‘shocked’ as embassy in Syria hit by mortar; 1 hurt.

Bangladesh opposition leader sentenced to death for war crimes.

Buddhist mobs kill 1, torch 70 homes in Myanmar.

In historic step, Japan PM hikes tax; will cushion blow to economy.

Former Afghan Foreign Minister registers for election.

AFRICA

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta vows to keep troops in Somalia to battle Islamic extremists.

Nigeria at 53: Extremist killings, tight security.

Unrest in Central Sudan leads to arrests of 700.

Discontent simmers in Sudan after protest deaths.

Africa terrorism is symptom of intractable problems.

Guinea opposition decries 'appalling' poll fraud.

ICC unveils arrest warrant for Ivory Coast politician Ble Goude.

EUROPE

Spain's public debt to approach 100 percent of GDP end-2014.

Berlusconi faces obstacles in bid to topple government.

Scottish referendum: Vote registration begins for those 16 and older.

Eurozone unemployment 'may have peaked'.

German unemployment in surprise increase.

Four MPs from Greece's Golden Dawn to appear in court.

Insight: As Ukraine looks west to Europe, Russia's shadow looms.

UN presses Spain over Franco-era crimes and mass graves.

AMERICAS

U.S. Politics Live.

U.S. government shutdown starts; Congress deadlock remains.

Political ‘dysfunction’: Attorney General Eric Holder sees FBI furloughs possible in shutdown.

Venezuela expels three US diplomats over 'sabotage'.

Colombia busts former Presidential security chief for drug ties.

Canada's GDP growth highest in two years.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

'Foreign terrorists' fighting in Syria - Walid Muallem.

Zawahiri's man in Shabaab's 'secret service'.

US intel info suggests al-Shabaab may be planning new attacks.

U.S. tries to salvage case against Bin Laden's publicist.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Germany's Siemens to axe 15,000 jobs.

Merck to fire 8,500 in strategy overhaul that shifts R&D.

Stocks rise as investors shrug off shutdown.

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