NPR 2011-04-07

Emergency White House talks to try to end a budget stalemate and avert 1 a government shutdown had ended and without agreement.

"A shutdown could have real effects on everyday Americans. That means that small business owners who are counting on that loan to open their business, to make payroll 2, to expand, suddenly they can't do it. It means folks who are potentially processing a mortgage, they may not be able to get it."

President Obama, as heard on CNN, says he'll request another meeting with congressional leaders if budget negotiations 3 continue to fail. House Majority Leader John Boehner has said that the negotiators still have a long way to go.

The Obama administration estimates that some 800,000 federal workers will be furloughed if the government shuts down. But NPR's Brian Naylor reports many federal agencies will remain open, even without a federal budget deal.

The Obama administration says those government workers that are necessary for the protection of life and property will remain on the job. That includes the military and law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, DEA and Border Patrol. Air traffic controllers will continue to guide the aircraft, and the TSA will continue to screen passengers. Social security and Medicare payments will continue, and the post office and federal courts will remain open. If you file new federal tax return electronically and you're expecting a refund 4, it will go out on schedule. But the IRS says those who file on paper will experience delays. Brian Naylor, NPR News, Washington.

Defense 5 Secretary Robert Gates is on a two-day visit to Iraq as the military continues its drawdown of forces there. NPR's Rachel Martin says it's still unclear if US troops will stay after the end of the year, when the drawdown is scheduled to be completed.

Secretary Gates will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Kurdish leaders in the north of the country. According to a senior US defense official, Gates is here to reaffirm the long-term relationship between the US and Iraq. But he may be waiting for the Iraqis to figure out what that future relationship looks like. The US military withdrawal 6 is supposed to be over by the end of this year. US defense officials have suggested that some troops could end up staying after that date to help support Iraqi security forces. But it will be up to the Iraqis to make that request. The US has already withdrawn 7 roughly 100,000 troops from Iraq, close to 50,000 remain. Rachel Martin, NPR News, Baghdad.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is calling on the Obama administration to halt the air campaign against its troops. Administration officials say the letter is not being taken seriously. Meantime, former Pennsylvania Congresswoman Curt 8 Weldon is in Libya to persuade Colonel Gaddafi to step down. Weldon, who was part of a bipartisan group that visited the country in 2004, is in Tripoli at Gaddafi's invitation.

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The financial crisis in Europe has claimed another victim. NPR's Philip Reeves reports that Portugal is the third eurozone country to seek an international bailout.

After insisting for months it didn't need help, Portugal has succumbed 9 to what everyone else said was inevitable 10. It's concluded it has no choice but to follow Greece and Ireland and seek help from the European Union. Analysts 11 think it may need up to $114 billion. The decision was announced by the caretaker prime minister in a nationwide TV address. Burdened for years by stagnant 12 growth and heavy government debt, this small Southern European nation struggled to keep pace with Europe's big hitters. Matters worsened recently when its parliament threw out a government austerity program, triggering a summer election. Then some new numbers emerged, showing Portugal had missed its deficit 13 cutting target. Already unsustainable interest rates on Portuguese 14 debt spiraled to record levels, and it was game over. Philip Reeves, NPR News, London.

Toyota reached a milestone 15 today by selling its one millionth Prius in the United States. Global sales of the world's first mass-produced hybrid 16 gas-electric vehicle reached three million last month. High gasoline prices have helped boost popularity for the Prius, which gets up to 51 miles per gallon in city driving and 48 miles per gallon on the highway.

A Russian Soyuz spacecraft has docked at the International Space Station after delivering three new astronauts. The crew joins three others, whose mission expires next month. Next Tuesday, all six crew members will mark the 50th anniversary of the first human in space. April 12th will also be the 30th anniversary of the first space shuttle launch. The shuttle fleet is being retired 17 this year.

I'm Shay Stevens, NPR News in Washington