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              World Watching Washington as Default Deadline Looms

   With the October 17 deadline for raising the U.S. debt ceiling just
   days away, Washington politicians are still squabbling over how to end
   the partial government shutdown.
   The International Monetary Fund`s policy committee pleaded with U.S.
   leaders to take "urgent action to address short-term fiscal
   uncertainties," echoing calls from G-20 financial leaders one day
   earlier. President Barack Obama has warned that the economy could be
   hurt if Washington fails to pay its bills for the first time in
   history.
   Republicans and Democrats made no apparent progress toward a deal
   Saturday. Democratic legislative leaders met with the president
   Saturday, searching for a way forward.
   Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said he and Republican leader Mitch
   McConnell held positive talks, but that the two sides still had a long
   way to go.
   Reid also said a proposal by Republican Senator Susan Collins that
   would fund U.S. government operations at current levels for another six
   months would not "go anyplace at this stage."
   Reid criticized Senate Republicans who rejected a Democratic plan that
   would have raised the government`s borrowing limit through next year.
   Republicans said they wanted any extension to include spending cuts.
   White House spokesman Jay Carney said it was "unfortunate" that the
   proposal was "refused a yes or no vote."
   The president said damage to the country`s "sterling credit rating"
   would make it more expensive for everyone in America to borrow money,
   creating what he called a "Republican default tax on every family and
   business in America."
   House Armed Services chairman Buck McKeon delivered the Republican
   address Saturday.
   He said the two sides had found "common ground" this week with
   legislation supporting the military and their families during the
   shutdown, and now should continue to work out more agreements.
   Meanwhile, officials at three of the most famous U.S. national parks -
   the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore - have
   announced they are reopening.
   The move comes after state governors agreed to provide the money needed
   to operate the parks.
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   deadline-looms/1768590.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/world-watching-washington-as-default-deadline-looms/1768590.html