Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Iran: “Secretary of State John Kerry, asked how Iran can show it is serious about resolving the dispute over its nuclear ambitions, told reporters Thursday: ‘I will let you know after they have been serious.’”
* Kenya: “Only days after heavily-armed assailants stormed a crowded mall and killed scores of people in the capital, militants killed three people near the border with Somalia, Kenyan officials said Thursday, putting this country even further on edge.”
* Syria: “World powers have reached a deal to compel Syria to hand over its chemical weapons — a resolution that includes enforcement language but is not explicit on military action, diplomatic sources told NBC News on Thursday.”
* Iraq: “Bombs ripped through outdoor markets in and near Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 23 people and wounding dozens, the latest in a deadly wave that has hit Iraq in recent months, officials said.”
* Russia: “Still under fire for a series of newly enacted anti-gay laws, Russia on Thursday missed what could have been viewed as an opportunity to mend fences with the LGBT community and its international allies.”
* GOP infighting: “Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) came to the Senate floor Thursday to lambast his conservative colleages, Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT), for not agreeing to a request by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) to move up a cloture vote on a continuing resolution funding the government from Friday to Thursday evening.”
* If Boehner had any influence, control, or power, this would be hard to defend: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Thursday he hasn’t had a single conversation with Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) about avoiding a government shutdown and doesn’t plan to.”
* Sen. Joe Manchin (D-Nev.) reiterated his opposition to the individual health care mandate again today, causing a media mini-freakout, but he’s still not about to help Republicans shut down the government. * Good lord, let it go: “Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) expanded his ethics complaint Thursday in an attempt to pinpoint and punish the Senate Democrats who leaked draft legislation earlier this month in an attempt to embarrass him.” * Fox News guests are usually better screened than this. * And while watching Washington proved to be pretty frustrating today, I can honestly say I felt better after checking out the Adorable Care Act. Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
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