Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/36514
8A Daily News – Thursday, July 14, 2011 WORLD BRIEFING McConnell to fellow GOP: Don’t take hard debt- limit stand WASHINGTON (AP) — Failure to raise the U.S. debt limit would probably ensure President Barack Obama’s re-elec- tion in 2012, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell warned fellow conservatives on Wednes- day, fresh evidence of deep GOP political divi- sions on an issue of para- mount importance to the nation and its economy. McConnell spoke as Obama and congressional leaders met for a fourth straight day — struggling to avert an unprecedented government default threatened for Aug. 2 — and rank-and-file law- makers advanced fallback measures in case the bipartisan talks fail. One version, authored by Sen. Bill Nelson, D- Fla., was designed to make sure Social Security benefits are paid on time. Another, unveiled by a trio of House conserva- tives, would give priority to paychecks for members of the armed forces. ‘‘Currently, there is not a single debt limit propos- al that can pass the House of Representatives,’’ House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., said in a written statement. He said efforts should focus on ‘‘what we can agree upon’’ rather than Demo- cratic demands for raising taxes or GOP calls to repeal the year-old health care bill. Without an increase in government borrowing authority by Aug. 2, Trea- sury Secretary Tim Geith- ner has warned, there could be a default posing a catastrophic risk to the economy, still recovering from the worst recession in decades. 3 blasts kill 21 in Mumbai MUMBAI, India (AP) — Three coordinated bombings tore through the heart of India’s busy financial capital during rush hour Wednesday, killing 21 people and wounding 141 in the worst terror attack in the country since the 2008 Mumbai siege. Bloody bodies were strewn in the dirt of Mum- bai’s crowded neighbor- hoods and markets. Doors were ripped off store- fronts, motorcycles were charred and a bus stop was shredded. After the blasts in three separate neighborhoods, police set up checkpoints and were put on high alert. The bombings came just months after peace talks resumed between India and Pakistan, which New Delhi has blamed for past attacks. Prime Minister Man- mohan Singh condemned the blasts and appealed to the people of Mumbai ‘‘to remain calm and show a united face.’’ There was no immedi- ate claim of responsibili- ty, and Indian officials refused to speculate on who might be behind the blasts. Murdoch’s News Corp. drops bid to buy B Sky B LONDON (AP) — Rupert Murdoch’s dream of controlling a British broadcasting behemoth evaporated Wednesday as he withdrew his bid for BSkyB — the latest, biggest casualty of what Prime Minister David Cameron called the hacking ‘‘firestorm’’ sweeping through British politics, media and police. Cameron appointed a senior judge to lead an inquiry into the phone hacking and police bribery scandal engulfing Murdoch’s British news- papers, and promised it would investigate whether Murdoch’s reporters sought the phone numbers of 9/11 victims in their quest for sensational scoops. ‘‘There is a firestorm, if you like, that is engulf- ing parts of the media, parts of the police, and indeed our political sys- tem’s ability to respond,’’ Cameron said Wednesday in the House of Com- mons. ‘‘What we must do in the coming days and weeks is think above all of the victims ... to make doubly sure that we get to the bottom of this and that we prosecute those who are responsible,’’ he said. As lawmakers from all the country’s main parties united to demand that Murdoch’s News Corp. withdraw its bid for British Sky Broadcasting, SAVE ADDITIONAL $ any recliner with this AD Exp. date 7/18/11 $100 off Mattress set $ Exp. date 7/18/11 and above with this AD SAVE ADDITIONAL $ with this AD Exp. date 7/18/11 $200 off with this AD Bedroom set Exp. date 7/18/11 SAVE ADDITIONAL $ 200 off SAVE ADDITIONAL any Dinette, Dining Set $ and above 100 off 399.00 399.00 any SAVE ADDITIONAL 50 off the media magnate bowed to the inevitable, accept- ing that he could not win government approval for the multibillion dollar takeover. Bernanke lays out options for new Fed action WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair- man Ben Bernanke told lawmakers Wednesday the Fed is ready to act if the economy gets weaker. He warned them that allowing the nation to default on its debt would send ‘‘shock waves through the entire finan- cial system.’’ Underscoring how fragile the economy remains two years after the Great Recession, Bernanke laid out three new steps the Fed could take, including a fresh round of government bond purchases designed to stimulate economic growth. ‘‘We have to keep all the options on the table. We don’t know where the economy is going to go,’’ Bernanke told the House Financial Services Com- mittee. The Fed chairman stopped short of promis- ing anything, but Wall Street appeared comfort- ed that the central bank was poised to act. The Dow Jones industrial average was up more than 150 points during his tes- timony to Congress, and closed up 45. The nation was creat- ing about 200,000 jobs a month this spring. But hiring slowed almost to a standstill in June, with 18,000 new jobs. It takes about 125,000 a month just to keep up with popu- lation growth. own,’’ Pawlenty said in written statement in which he insists he would ‘‘vigorously oppose’’ any efforts to allow same-sex mar- riage. The move is risky for Pawlenty says he won’t sign Iowa group’s vow pledge ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Republican Tim Pawlenty declined Wednesday to sign a pledge written by a con- servative Iowa group that asks presidential candi- dates to denounce same- sex marriage rights, pornography and forms of Islamic law. Pawlenty said he agrees with the principles behind the Family Leader’s Mar- riage Vow, but not the way the 14-point pledge is cast. Earlier in the day, the for- mer Minnesota governor released a new radio ad and a web video in which he and his wife Mary discuss their personal faith, anti- abortion views and opposi- tion to gay marriage. ‘‘Rather than sign onto the words chosen by others, I prefer to choose my own words, especial- ly seeking to show com- passion to those who are in broken families through no fault of their JUST MOVE IT Part of a national campaign to promote physical activity for American Indians and Alaskan Natives Friday, July 15th 11:30 AM Registration and Start Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 S. Main St. Free class passes to all Join us for a series of non-competive walks and runs. Open to families, individuals of all ages and people of all cultures. any Sofa & Loveseat set with this AD Exp. date 7/18/11 Furniture DEPOT 235 So. 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(AP) — Republican presidential candidates are all but silent on Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell’s pro- posal to sidestep a poten- tially disastrous govern- ment default on loan oblig- ations. Not one candidate has endorsed it, and Newt Gin- grich has come out against it, tweeting: ‘‘McConnell’s plan is an irresponsible surrender to big govern- ment, big deficits and con- tinued overspending.’’ The hesitation to weigh in — by front-runner Mitt Romney and his rivals — underscores the challeng- ing politics at play for GOP White House hope- fuls in the fast-moving debate over increasing the United States’ borrowing ability. Most aren’t in Con- gress, don’t have a vote, and, thus, seemingly feel little obligation to wade into the specifics of the complex debate. When they do speak, they are being careful about what they say on the issue, per- haps mindful that whoever emerges as the eventual 2012 nominee — and party standard-bearer — will likely have to contend with the result of tense negotiations between the White House and Con- gress. The Treasury Depart- ment says lawmakers have until Aug. 2 to extend the nation’s debt limit to pre- vent a catastrophic govern- ment default on its bills. K W I K K U T S Family Hair Salon $200 REGULAR HAIRCUT off with coupon Not good with other offers 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 Reg. $13.95 Expires 7/31/11 All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES Smog Check starting at $ (most cars and pick-ups) 2595 + cert. Pass or FREE retest 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR