World: Saudi Arabia stunned the UN and the diplomatic world by rejecting a long-desired seat on the Security Council as an act of protest against the UN’s failure to deal with major problems in the Middle East. High on Saudi …

Kick Butt: President Obama came out from the government shutdown yesterday to give Congress a scolding. In a morning speech he said, “to all my friends in Congress, understand that how business is done in this town has to change.” …

Kick the Can: Federal workers are returning today after President Obama signed a resolution to re-open the government and raise the debt ceiling. Republicans got almost nothing out of a nuclear standoff. After 16 days of a government shutdown and …

At The Br$nk: Day 16. Senate leaders are expected at mid-day to announce a deal to re-open the government and raise the debt ceiling, but they will have to put the bill on a fast track to avoid debt default …

Ping Pong: Day 15. House Republicans this morning answered a Senate proposal, offering to re-open the government and raise the debt ceiling for a few months … but … with a stipulation that Congress, the cabinet, and the President be …

Default Coming: Day 14. With the government shutdown in its second week, Washington and the world are counting the days to a US government debt default and potential economic collateral damage.   Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said yesterday on …

Senate Says No: Day 13. Democrats and Republicans rejected each other’s financial solutions yesterday as the Thursday deadline approaches for raising the national debt ceiling. Congress accomplished little more than talking, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “I hope …

Blocked Shot: Day 12. President Obama this morning rejected a House Republican offer to raise the debt ceiling and end the shutdown Thursday. Republican leaders were described as angry as they left a closed-door meeting. House members are heading home …

National: Shortly after submitting his budget plan, President Obama signed an order imposing $91 billion in automatic cuts for 2014 if Congress doesn’t make a deal. So far Congress has done nothing to avert the $89 billion in cuts already …

Hope Springs: Day 11. Talks between White House and Congressional aides continued through last night and President Obama is scheduled to meet today with the entire Republican caucus. House Republicans have offered a deal to raise the debt ceiling through …