Wednesday, October 2, 2013

World News Briefs -- October 2, 2013



Obama Calls A Meeting As Congress Stalls On Shutdown -- USA Today

President Obama calls a meeting as Congress shows no sign of ending the shutdown.

WASHINGTON — Two days in, Congress is no closer to resolving the first government shutdown in 17 years.

President Obama is calling the top four congressional leaders down to the White House for a meeting Wednesday afternoon. A White House official said the president will urge the House to pass a stopgap funding bill to reopen the government, and ask Congress to raise the debt ceiling ahead of an Oct. 17 deadline.

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MIDDLE EAST

Syria: massacre reports emerge from Assad's Alawite heartland.

World powers on 'right track' on Syria chemical arms: Putin.

Turkish government seeks renewed mandate to send troops to Syria.

Iraq violence leaves almost 1,000 dead in September.

Israel PM calls Iran leader 'wolf in sheep's clothing'.

Iran dismisses Israeli 'sabre-rattling'.

Iran parliament endorses President Rouhani's diplomatic outreach.

Yemen's army retakes base seized by Qaeda militants.

ASIA

South Korea, U.S. sign new pact to deter North Korea nuclear threat. U.S., S. Korea agree to work more on deterring N.Korea.

Pakistani Taliban accept government offer of peace talks, propose cease-fire.

Violence rocks western Myanmar as president visits.

Japan-U.S. security talks likely to highlight Tokyo's cyber-defense woes.

Taiwan jails retired vice admiral for spying for China.

Gandhi forces Indian government to drop move on convicted politicians.

AFRICA

Mali's President Keita cuts short France visit after weekend of violence.

Is the Arab Spring moving south? Violent anti-government protests hit Sudan.

'Threats' to Tunisia union mediating political crisis.

Libyan oil back in days - politics permitting, says minister.

Coptic Christian says Egyptian military ignoring persecution.

Insight: Pre-electoral feuding threatens Nigeria's economy.

Zimbabwe manufacturing in 'dire' state: industry.

EUROPE

Italy crisis: PM Letta wins vote after Berlusconi U-turn.

UK's Cameron puts economy center-stage in re-election bid.

Spain's jobless claims rise in September, government data shows.

Ukraine police fire tear gas to disperse protest in Kiev.

Greek court frees far-right MPs pending trial.

NSA leaker Snowden among finalists for Europe’s prestigious Sakharov Prize.

Greenpeace activists charged with piracy by Russian authorities.

Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova ends nine-day hunger strike.

AMERICAS

Obama summons Hill leaders to White House on shutdown's second day.

Obama Asia trip cut into as shutdown continues.

Obama urges Republicans to back down with shutdown set to enter second day.

US expels Venezuela diplomats in tit-for-tat row.

Work halted on Curitiba stadium in latest World Cup setback.

Ecuador officers face arrest over 'crimes against humanity'.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Kenya: A week after Westgate mayhem ends, Al Shabab is gloating.

Taliban commander Mullah Fazlullah claims credit for assassinating Pakistani general.

Al-Qaeda loosens its admissions standards.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Obama to meet heads of big banks on shutdown, debt limit.

Exclusive: Microsoft investors push for chairman Gates to step down.

US budget deadlock spooks investors.

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