Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/28953
Saturday, April 9, 2011 – Daily News – 7A WORLD BRIEFING On brink of shutdown, gov’t readies furloughs WASHINGTON (AP) — The federal government lurched toward a shutdown for the first time in 15 years on Friday as Republicans and Democrats in Congress struggled for a way out and swapped increasingly incendiary charges over which side was to blame. The Obama administra- tion readied hundreds of thousands of furlough notices for federal workers, to be released any time after the midnight deadline for a deal to keep operations run- ning. ‘‘We know the whole world is watching us today,’’ said Senate Majori- ty Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev. He, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner all agreed a shutdown posed risks to an economy still recovering from the worst recession in decades. But there were dis- agreements aplenty among the principal players in an early test of divided govern- ment — Obama in the White House, fellow Democrats in control in the Senate and a new, tea party- flavored Republican major- ity in the House. For much of the day, Reid and Boehner dis- agreed about what the dis- agreement was about. Planned Parenthood at issue in budget fight WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans portray Planned Parenthood as pri- marily focused on perform- ing abortions and — inten- tionally or not — using American taxpayer dollars to do it. Not so, say Democrats who counter that the group’s 800-plus health centers nationwide provide an array of services, from screenings for cancer to testing for sexually trans- mitted diseases. Abortion is just one of many proce- dures, and the law bars Planned Parenthood from using tax money for it. In the budget maelstrom that threatened to partially shut the federal government Friday stood Planned Par- enthood Federation of America, a 90-year-old organization now part of a decades-long congressional battle over abortion. Republicans want any legislation keeping the gov- ernment operating to bar federal dollars for Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest provider of abor- tions. ‘‘The country is broke and the vast majority of Americans don’t want tax dollars to take the life of unborn children,’’ Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio., chairman of Republican Study Com- mittee, told reporters in a conference call. Pentagon said death benefits for troops will not be paid WASHINGTON (AP) — In the event of a govern- ment shutdown, the Penta- gon would have to delay payments of the $100,000 death benefit that families receive if a military service member dies in the line of duty, a senior defense offi- cial said Friday, Families would get the money eventually after the government re-opens, but they could have problems paying expenses, including for the funerals, the official said, adding that the Penta- gon will reach out to various military aid agencies to help those who need it. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel details, said as many as 150 death benefits are paid out every month. The death benefit is one of many Pentagon pay- ments and services that could be curtailed if the government shuts down at midnight Friday — and they range from paychecks to performances by military bands and the famed Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels air demonstration squadrons. According to the Penta- gon, if a shutdown ends by next Tuesday the military could get full paychecks on April 15th. But if it contin- ues longer than that, they would get only partial pay. More than 150,000 U.S. troops are deployed to wars overseas, and thousands of others are assigned to other operations including the Libya mission and aid to Japan in the wake of the earthquake. Syrian protests turn deadly BEIRUT (AP) — Mass protests calling for sweep- ing changes in Syria’s authoritarian regime turned deadly Friday, with the gov- ernment and protesters both claiming heavy casualties as the country’s three-week uprising entered a danger- ous new phase. The bloodiest clashes occurred in the restive city of Daraa, where human rights activists and witness- es said Syrian security forces opened fire on tens of thousands of protesters, No. 1 China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT Open 7 Days A Week Now Under New Ownership Lunch: $5.75 - Mon-Sat 11am-3pm Dinner: $8.25 - Mon-Thurs 3:30-9:30pm Carry out rates Lunch: $2.99 lb. COUPON Dinner: $3.99 lb. Bring in This Coupon to Receive Free Drinks with meal purchase COUPON killing 25 people and wounding hundreds. At the same time, state- run TV said 19 policemen and members of the securi- ty forces were killed when gunmen opened fire on them. It was the first signif- icant claim of casualties by the Syrian government, which has contended that armed gangs rather than true reform-seekers are behind the unrest — and it could signal plans for a stepped-up retaliation. The protests were in response to calls by organiz- ers to take to the streets every Friday to demand change in one of the most rigid nations in the Middle East. Marches were held in cities across the country as the movement showed no sign of letting up, despite the violent crackdowns. At least 32 protesters were killed nationwide, according to human rights activists. The bloodshed lifted the death toll from three weeks of protests to more than 170 people, according to Amnesty Inter- national. Journalists see signs of worsening struggle MISRATA, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi’s government brought foreign journalists to Misrata on Friday to show that its forces hold significant con- trol over the only major city in western Libya still in rebel hands, but the trip sug- gested that their situation had if anything grown more dire after weeks of laying siege to the enemy’s strong- hold. Reporters were bused to the same intersection, more than a mile (2 kilometers) from downtown, where government officials took them about 10 days ago. Back then, it was to show the effects of a NATO airstrike. This time, it was simply as far as the tour could go before the sounds of gunfire and shelling forced officials to turn around. At one point, the journal- ists took cover amid gun- fire. A Libyan soldier, Walid Mohammed Walid, received a head wound in the shooting and was taken to a hospital. Buildings were heavily pockmarked from battle, as they were previously. But while Gadhafi’s forces at the intersection were seen on open ground on the earli- er visit, this time the few soldiers there were hiding out in buildings or on rooftops. The scene along the road from Tripoli, dotted with burned-out tanks, anti-air- craft guns hidden by vegeta- tion and checkpoints made of tires and sand banks, underscored the devastating struggle over Misrata. It is the most sustained conflict in the Libyan uprising and the focus of a growing inter- national efforts to bring aid by sea to besieged residents caught in the crossfire. Bombing of Nigeria election office kills 8 IBADAN, Nigeria (AP) — A bomb targeting an election office in Nigeria exploded Friday on the eve of the first of the oil-rich country’s three crucial April elections, killing at least eight people and spreading fears that violence reminis- cent of the nation’s flawed 2007 vote could spread. The explosion struck the Independent National Elec- toral Commission office in Suleja in the afternoon as workers hurriedly prepared for Saturday’s looming National Assembly polls. A government official who requested anonymity said the blast injured so many people that local hospitals quickly became over- whelmed, forcing doctors to send patients onto nearby Abuja, the country’s capital. The official requested anonymity due to govern- ment concerns about talking about the death toll ahead of the election. Police did not immedi- ately identify the explosive used or say whether they had any suspects. Suleja, in Niger state, previously saw a bombing at a political rally in March that killed at least four people and left another 20 wounded. A statement from Presi- dent Goodluck Jonathan’s office promised the nation it would increase security ahead of Saturday’s vote. Wis. court challenger begins fundraising for recount WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP) — A stunning dis- covery of votes in Wis- consin could give the state’s hotly contested Supreme Court race to the conservative incumbent in an election largely seen as a referendum on Republi- can Gov. Scott Walker’s explosive union rights law. Adding another twist, the county clerk who said she incorrectly entered vote totals in the race has faced criticism before for her handling of elections and previously worked for a state GOP caucus when it was controlled by the candidate who stands to benefit from Thursday’s revelation. The corrected totals gave Justice David Pross- er a 7,500-vote lead over little-known liberal assis- tant state attorney general JoAnne Kloppenburg, according to unofficial tallies. Before the announcement, it was assumed the race was headed for a recount. The difference between the two had fluctuated throughout the day Thurs- day as counties began ver- ifying votes, but at one point was as close as 11. COMFORT SERVICE INC. Air Conditioning & Heating Tehama Counties Factory authorized Bryant Dealer Your First Call For Comfort • RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • NEW CONSTRUCTION • SALES • SERVICE • REPAIRS 24 HOUR SERVICE 530 529-1990 Lic #593323 www.CascadeComfort.com 343 S. 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