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- Japan's former empress Michiko discharged after surgery: reports
- Japan's former empress Michiko discharged after surgey: reports
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- China-EU EV tariff talks in Brussels end with 'major differences': Beijing
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- China offers $325 bn in fiscal stimulus for ailing economy
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- Boeing to cut 10% of workforce as it sees big Q3 loss
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- US, European markets rise as investors weigh rates, earnings
- In Colombia, children trade plastic waste for school supplies
- JPMorgan Chase profits top estimates, bank sees 'resilient' US economy
- Little progress at key meet ahead of COP29 climate summit
- 'Party atmosphere': Skygazers treated to another aurora show
- Kyrgyzstan opens rare probe into glacier destruction
- European Mediterranean states discuss Middle East, migration
- Thunberg leads pro-Palestinian, climate protest in Milan
- Stock markets diverge before China weekend briefing
- EU questions shopping app Temu over illegal products risk
- Han Kang's books sell out in South Korea after Nobel win
- Shanghai markets sink ahead of briefing on mixed day for Asia
- Investors, analysts eye bigger China stimulus at Saturday briefing
- Musk unveils robotaxi, pledges it 'before 2027'
- At least 11 dead in Florida but Hurricane Milton not as bad as feared
- Asian markets mixed after Wall St drop, Shanghai dips before briefing
- Automaker Stellantis says CEO will retire in 2026
- Musk's promised robotaxi unveil delayed
- On US coast, wind power foes embrace 'Save the Whales' argument
- At least 10 dead in Florida after Hurricane Milton spawns tornadoes
- Internet Archive reels from 'catastrophic' cyberattack, data breach
- Wall Street stocks retreat from records on US inflation data
- Israel strikes central Beirut, killing 22
- Solar storm could impact US hurricane recovery efforts: agency
- Delta eyes Election Day travel pullback as profits climb
- Florida battered by hurricane, floods but spared 'worst-case scenario'
- UK's William and Kate in first joint public engagement since cancer treatment
- Over 200 women in legal talks with Harrods over Fayed abuse claims
- A very stiff breeze: BBC says sorry for 20,000 kph wind forecast
- Musk finally unveiling his long-promised robotaxi
- London's Frieze art fair goes potty for ceramics
- US, Europe stocks fall on US inflation data
- US consumer inflation eases to 2.4% in September
Biden says Republicans holding US economy 'hostage'
President Joe Biden accused Republicans on Friday of holding the US economy "hostage" by refusing to pass a debt limit increase unless he first agrees to "draconian" budget cuts.
Biden said he would tell congressional leaders when they meet on Tuesday that they must do "what every other Congress has done -- that is pass the debt limit, avoid default."
Republicans in Congress are insisting on Biden first accepting major budget cuts before they vote to extend the US debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow more money.
The Biden administration says funds will run out as early as June 1 if the extension -- an annual accounting maneuver that usually passes with little debate -- doesn't happen, triggering national debt default.
"They're trying to hold the debt hostage to (get) us to agree to some draconian cuts," Biden said at a White House meeting on the economy.
Biden emphasized that he was ready to discuss budget reductions but not if the negotiation was linked to the debt ceiling.
"We can debate where to cut, how much to spend..., but not under the threat of default," he said. "That's why we have a budget process to debate in open."
"We're ready for that debate," he said. But "the last thing this country needs, after all we've been through, is a manufactured crisis, and that's what this is: a manufactured crisis from beginning to end."
M.P.Jacobs--CPN