Obama Meets With Congressional Leaders Amid Looming Budget Cuts -- Voice of America
U.S. President Barack Obama is meeting with top Republican and Democratic lawmakers this morning to discuss efforts to avoid across-the-board budget cuts set to take effect within hours.
The White House meeting is largely viewed as symbolic, after dueling bills to avoid the cuts were defeated in the Senate Thursday.
Without an agreement before the Friday deadline, the $85 billion in automatic spending cuts appear inevitable.
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MIDDLE EAST
Heavy fighting over police academy in north Syria.
U.S. steps up aid, but Syria’s rebels want arms.
Britain, France may provide military aid to Syrian rebels.
Syria crisis: John Kerry in Ankara for US-Turkey talks.
Israel: Hizbullah got Scud D missiles from Syria with 700 km range.
Israel, Turkey row over Zionism deepens rift between ex-allies.
ASIA
Malaysia standoff with armed Filipinos erupts in violence. Sabah stand-off 'turns deadly' as clashes break out.
Rohingya refugees stir debate on rising sectarian violence.
New clashes erupt in Bangladesh.
Japan scrambles fighters to meet China plane.
China moves ahead with North Korea trade zone despite nuclear test.
China to execute drug gang over Mekong river massacre.
China sets its 5th manned space mission for summer.
Report: Fukushima's radiation damaged more souls than bodies.
AFRICA
African leaders call for U.N. mandate for Mali mission.
Sudan sends more troops to volatile border state.
Christians grow anxious in '100 percent' Islamic Sudan.
Gadhafi’s weapons flooded Africa, Middle East as the West looked for missiles.
UN accused of cover up Zimbabwe cholera.
Egypt quietly stifles NGOs by cutting off foreign cash flow.
S Africa suspends police over custodial death.
EUROPE
Eurozone jobless hits another record.
A glance at Europe's unemployment rates.
Italy jobless rate jumps to record high of 11.7 percent in January.
Italy's center-left leader rules out coalition with Berlusconi.
Britain heads for new recession.
UN court clears ex-Yugoslav army chief. Momcilo Perisic: Yugoslav army chief conviction overturned.
Cardinals begin long process of picking new pope.
AMERICAS
Consumer spending in U.S. climbs even as taxes hurt incomes.
President Obama, Republican leaders to meet as sequester cuts look likely.
U.S. stares down start of steep "automatic" budget cuts.
Venezuelan VP: Chavez fighting for his life. Analysis: Chavez's cancer puts Venezuela on undeclared vote footing.
Mexico union replaces Elba Esther Gordillo.
Brazil economy grew 0.9% in 2012.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
US to aid Syrian groups that support al Qaeda's affiliate.
Al Qaeda commander Abu Zeid killed in Mali: Ennahar TV.
Al Qaeda mag publishes 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' list.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Google CFO says company keeping $48 billion cash stash for possible acquisitions, investments.
Moscow is billionaires' capital of the world.
Asia has more super rich than N. America.
Groupon fires CEO Andrew Mason: The rise and fall of tech’s enfant terrible.