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► If you are feeling under the gun, today, remember that there is strength in numbers! Get your gang in on the task and you will feel back in control in no time. Things will start happening faster than you could have hoped for, and the teamwork mentality will inspire you to ask for more help more often! These people want to be a part of whatever you're doing, so do not hesitate to call on them again in the future. You will never be in danger of losing your identity if you associate with others.
► MASHABLE 28 September 2013 : 56% of Internet Users Have Searched for Themselves Online
► DAILY MAIL 27 September 2013 : Pay it forward: An 18-year-old girl's death and her unfulfilled last wish for a pumpkin spice latte inspired a wave of kindness around the globe
► HAARETZ 29 September 2013 : Thaw between Washington and Tehran brings Israel and Gulf states closer
► TODAY IN HISTORY : Oct 9, 1967 : Che Guevara is executed
* MARXIST.com 18 JAnuary 2013 : Moral hypocrisy, St. Benedict's and Che Guevara
* MARXIST.org - PHOTOGRAPHS
* MARXIST. org - SONGS
► GUARDIAN 29 September 2013
■ US government on verge of shutdown as House votes to delay health law
■ Saudi Arabian cleric says female drivers risk damaging ovaries
■ Defence secretary Philip Hammond heckled by ex-soldiers
■ Republicans vote to postpone Barack Obama's healthcare plans
■ Cameron accused of misleading Leveson on Brooks friendship
► FOXNEWS 29 September 2013
■ Islamic terrorists kill at least 40 students in attack on Nigerian college
■ Terror trivia: Al Qaeda's new tactic to spare Muslims in attacks
■ NSA leak journalist Greenwald, colleague say new revelations coming
► WOOT 29 September 2013 : Lifesmart 1,800 SQ FT Infrared Tower Heater
► CNN 29 September 2013 : Israel says man spied for Iran, carried photos of U.S. Embassy
► SLASH DOT 29 September 2013 : Snowden Strikes Again: NSA Mapping Social Connections of US Citizens
► EDUCATION : 2013 Sequestration: Cuts to the U.S. Federal Budget and U.S. Government Finance. In the United States federal budget, the sequester or sequestration refers to across the board reductions to the planned increases in federal spending that have begun to take effect on March 1, 2013. The cuts were enacted by the Budget Control Act of 2011 and initially set to go into effect on January 1, but that date was moved to March 1 by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, enacted on January 2, 2013. Cuts of approximately $85.4 billion during fiscal year 2013 began to take effect on March 1, 2013. The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the sequester would reduce 2013 economic growth by about 0.6 percentage points (from 2.0% to 1.4%) and affect the creation or retention of about 750,000 jobs by year-end.
The cuts are split evenly (by dollar amounts) between the defense and non-defense categories. Some major programs like Social Security, Medicaid, federal pay (including military pay and pensions) and veterans' benefits are exempt. Medicare spending will be reduced by 2% per year versus the planned levels.
Over the 2013--2021 period, the sequester would reduce planned spending by $1.0 trillion with interest savings of approximately $170 billion, for a total of nearly $1.2 trillion in debt reduction or avoidance. The blunt nature of the cuts has been criticized, with some favoring more tailored cuts and others arguing for postponement while the economy improves.
CBO reported in February 2012 that: "In the absence of sequestration, CBO estimates, GDP growth would be about 0.6 percentage points faster during [the 2013] calendar year, and the equivalent of about 750,000 more full-time jobs would be created or retained by the fourth quarter." "CBO projects that sequestration will reduce the deficit by $42 billion in fiscal year 2013 and that this year's sequestration and automatic spending reductions next year will reduce the deficit by $89 billion in fiscal year 2014." [R]educing the amount of fiscal tightening this year [2013] would strengthen the economy in the short term, [but] the resulting increase in federal borrowing would weaken the economy in the longer term unless other changes in spending or tax policy were made to offset that additional borrowing."
CBO explained further why it expects the sequestration to reduce outlays by $42 billion in fiscal year 2013, although the the automatic budget cuts total $85 billion: "The $85 billion represents the reduction in budgetary resources available to government agencies this year as a result of the sequestration. But not all of that money would have been spent in this fiscal year in the absence of the sequestration: Some would have been used to enter into contracts to buy goods or services to be provided and paid for next year or in subsequent years. Acquiring major weapons systems and completing large construction projects, for example, can take several years. The $42 billion figure is CBO's estimate of the reduction in cash disbursements in fiscal year 2013; much of the remaining outlay reductions from the 2013 sequestration will occur in fiscal year 2014, though some will occur later."
Economist Paul Krugman reported one estimate that implementation of the sequester could cost 700,000 jobs. The International Monetary Fund plans to lower its 2013 GDP growth forecast for the U.S. from 2.0% to 1.5% if the sequester is implemented.
Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke testified in February 2013 that the Federal government should replace the sequester with smaller cuts today and larger cuts in the future, due to concerns the sequester would slow the economy. He reminded lawmakers of the CBO's guidance that recent austerity measures were projected to reduce economic growth by up to 1.5 percentage points in 2013 (relative to what it would have been otherwise), of which 0.6 percentage points related to the sequester. Bernanke stated that the long-run fiscal issues mainly related to an aging population and healthcare costs. He wrote: "To address both the near- and longer-term [fiscal] issues, the Congress and the Administration should consider replacing the sharp, front-loaded spending cuts required by the sequestration with policies that reduce the federal deficit more gradually in the near term but more substantially in the longer run. Such an approach could lessen the near-term fiscal headwinds facing the recovery while more effectively addressing the longer-term imbalances in the federal budget."
Bernanke also explained that although current laws would stabilize the debt to GDP ratio at around 75%, the ratio averaged less than 40% from 1960 to the onset of the crisis in 2008: "This relatively low level of debt provided the nation much-needed flexibility to meet the economic challenges of the past few years. Replenishing this fiscal capacity will give future Congresses and Administrations greater scope to deal with unforeseen events." Published on Mar 2, 2013 by Political History
► U.N. Security Council mulls action on Syria aid
By Michelle Nichols - UNITED NATIONS - After adopting a hard-fought, Russian-backed resolution to rid Syria of chemical weapons, the U.N. Security Council is now turning its attention to the country's dire humanitarian crisis, putting to the test its fragile consensus on the conflict.
* At least 16 dead as Syrian school hit in air strike: activists
* Life in limbo for the displaced of Damascus
* Poor and desperate, Syrian refugees beg on Yemen's streets
* Assad says Syria will respect U.N. chemical weapons accords
► Kerry sees potential for quick Iran nuclear deal
WASHINGTON - Secretary of State John Kerry said a deal on Iran's nuclear weapons program could be reached relatively quickly, and it would have the potential to dramatically improve the relationship between the two countries.
* Iran is biggest test for Obama's often rocky ties with Netanyahu
* Iranians cheer, protest over Rouhani's historic call with Obama
► Capitol quiet as government shutdown nears
By David Lawder and Richard Cowan - WASHINGTON - With a midnight Monday deadline to avert a federal government shutdown fast approaching, the U.S. Capitol building was eerily quiet, with meeting rooms locked, lawmakers not to be found, and both parties waiting for the other to blink.
* Closed museums to be least of the problems in a shutdown
* VIDEO : House Republicans cry out for Senator Harry Reid to open Senate
So here goes the explanation.
The U.S. government is facing two severe financial problems : budget for fiscal year 2014 and the debt limit . U.S. new fiscal year begins next month , but the budget has not been passed by Congress and this could lead to a partial government shutdown .
Republicans who controlled Congress have passed a temporary budget. However, this is by requiring delay on health insurance reform promoted by President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, Senate --- controlled by Democrats --- have started an intense discussion of the budget on Wednesday (09/25), separating the requirements as proposed by Republicans.
Senators hope to be able to pass the temporary budget which will allow the government to spend the money for one and a half months.
However, another more serious financial problem is related to the debt limit boosts. The U.S. Treasury officials have previously warned that if the limit wasn't raised, the government would run out of money to pay the debt on October 17th. Responding to the warning, Congressman counting that the U.S. would have failed to pay in the time between October 22 until the end of October, if the debt limit was not raised .
***
Matters related to the above explanation :
Soldiers fight without payment. Unpaid agents guarding the borders. Disease will not be checked. Toxic waste will be displaced. Travelers activities hampered. Government contractors laid off. Festival and Parade Cancelled. Thousands of Washington visitors will be disappointed. Members of Congress collect bills. Taxes must be paid on time.Do not be late for an orgasm, dahling. Married: Later, okay? Shut your mouth, stupid!
► NEWS
■ Egyptian students clash as Mursi turmoil spreads to campuses
■ Israel's Netanyahu warns White House about Iran
■ Foreign minister: Iran open to negotiations
■ Amid Putin's crackdown, Sochi gay scene thrives
■ Syria's Assad vows to comply with UN resolution
■ With less than 48 hours to avert a government shutdown, Democrats, Republicans trade blame
■ Italian political crisis threatens to split Berlusconi camp
■ Peres says Israel too 'scornful' of US on Iran
■ Amid rare unity, U.N. Security Council mulls action on Syria aid
■ Shutdown showdown intensifies over Obamacare delay
■ Analysis: Default or not, Asia a hostage to U.S. debt
■ Jesse Jackson determined to free U.S. hostage despite Colombian veto
■ Israel announces arrest of Iranian 'spy'
■ Israel says it has caught alleged Iranian spy
■ American History: Do you know US History?
■ Ted Cruz: If we have a shutdown, it will be because Harry Reid 'holds the American people hostage'
■ What's Next? 5 Questions in Government Shutdown Showdown
► FINANCE
■ 3 Ways You May Be Throwing Money Away Without Realizing It
■ 5 Ways a Government Shutdown Would Affect You
► HOMES : The right way to pay off debt to get a mortgage
► Italy PM takes crisis to parliament
Italy's Prime Minister Enrico Letta goes to parliament to seek a way out of the crisis surrounding his coalition with ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi's party.
* Italy in 'uncertain waters' - VIDEO
* Gavin Hewitt: Tremor from Italy
* Profile: Enrico Letta
* Berlusconi: in his own words
► Australia PM to begin Indonesia trip
Australia'a new Prime Minister Tony Abbott is to begin a visit to Indonesia, amid tensions between the two nations over his tough asylum policies.
* Australia: Why boat people risk it all
* Abbott downplays dispute
► MAGAZINE : Body language - Why do people get quotes tattooed on their skin?
► HEALTH : Young mothers 'risk factor for early childhood death'
► VIDEOS
■ 'Syria will comply with UN resolution' - Bashar al-Assad
■ Pakistan earthquake: Visiting an island that did not exist a few days ago
■ Morecambe Bay's Queen's Guide to the Sands on why he loves his job
■ Italy's awkward coalition crumbles
■ Stuntman flies through mountain
► SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENT : Updated SpaceX Falcon rocket blasts off - By Jonathan Amos
The US SpaceX company successfully launches a new version of its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
* Texas aims to be space hub
* Ariane sizes up for competition
► Italy coalition collapse: Berlusconi's ministers resign leaving govt in chaos
► Greenwald, Scahill vow to unmask NSA's 'US assassination program'
► Rule Cyber-Britannia: MoD to recruit hundreds of IT warriors for cyber task force
► NSA uses metadata 'to create sophisticated graphs' of US citizens' social connections
► OP-ED : Snowden fallout: India's meow, Brazil's roar
► Russia's Proton rocket successfully lifts off from Baikonur
► Syria govt 'ready to go to Geneva for dialogue, not to hand over power to anyone' – Syrian FM
► Saudi Sheikh blasted on Twitter for saying women drivers 'risk damaging ovaries'
► VIDEOS
■ Olympic torch lit in Greece before epic journey to Sochi
■ Diaries of Island (RT Documentary). In May of 1991 Aleksandr Pligin decided to dedicate his life to restoring a monastery on an island with the help of his family. Today we meet with Pligin's widow, who talks about the work her husband began and that she and her family continues.
■ Venture Capital: Oligarch Money Games (E9)
■ First Food Aid: Starving Portuguese turn to charity
■ Chernobyl video: First stage of new sarcophagus complete
■ 'New Movement Is Forging': Thousands take to streets over UK health cuts
■ Air Superiority: Aviation goes to new heights on molecular level
► All Bad Things Must End
In advance of the series finale, Breaking Bad writer Thomas Schnauz reveals the moment they knew that Walt had reached the end of the road
* Poniewozik: When Walt Became 'The One Who Knocks'
* Is 'Felina' the Secret to the Finale?
* An Inside View into 'Team Walt'
* TIME's Complete Coverage of the Series Finale
► 11th Hour Brinksmanship Before Shutdown
The House and Senate ended the weekend no closer to a deal to avert a government shutdown, which is scheduled to begin Tuesday at midnight
* Clinton to Obama: Don't Negotiate
* The Best Shutdown Explainer
