There are two major stories in the news both revolving around deals that have been held up by long, entrenched standoffs.
First, the debt debate wages on in Washington. After hours of closed-door meetings with high-level members of Congress, rumors floated around Capitol Hill yesterday that President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner were close to reaching a debt deal that would call for as much as $3 trillion in savings. Officials said that no formal agreement had been reached and downplayed the efforts, likely in an attempt to stave off criticism from hardliners in both parties. Going into the weekend, the official word is that Congress and the White House have not reached an agreement. Takeaway Washington correspondent Todd Zwillich says anything is possible in these final days.
Nando Di Fino, sports reporter for The Wall Street Journal, has the latest on another standoff, the NFL lockout. Yesterday, NFL owners approved a deal, bringing a new football season one step closer. But what will the players decide?
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