Ethan Zubkoff

Writer

International

• A deal has been reached between the United States and Russia regarding the control of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile. Although details about the deal are still forthcoming, both sides have agreed to allow the United Nations to authorize a resolution. It will be the UN’s responsibility to dispose of all of the weapons, which will take a few years to complete. (USA Today and Reuters)
• The fallout from Edward Snowden’s leak continued this week as Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff canceled a planned visit to the United States. Brazilian officials have objected to the National Security Agency’s ability to spy on other countries, including Brazil. Rousseff was scheduled to be at the White House on Oct. 23 as the guest of honor. (USA Today)

National

• Tragedy struck the nation’s capital on Sept. 16 as gunman Aaron Alexis killed 12 people at the Washington Navy Yard. Alexis, a former Navy reservist who was given an honorable discharge in 2011, was military contractor at the Navy Yard. Alexis was 34 years old and acted alone. (The New York Times)
• Colorado evacuees returned to their homes after flooding began on Sept. 11. More than 3,000 people were evacuated as flooding threatened their homes and lives. National Guard crews have been working around the clock in the largest aerial rescue operation since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans. As of Sept. 17, the number of people missing dropped to 580 with eight confirmed deaths. (ABC News)
• Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers withdrew his name for consideration for Chairman of the Federal Reserve, after several Senate Democrats said they would oppose his nomination. This has cleared the way for Janet Yellen, the current vice-chair of the Federal Reserve as the frontrunner. Current chairman Ben Bernanke’s tenure is expected to come to an end in January. (USA Today and CNBC)

State

• Potential Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate Katie McGinty finds herself in second place behind Democratic Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz. McGinty commissioned the poll. According to the poll, Schwartz leads potential candidates McGinty, State Treasurer Rob McCord, and former Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf with 34 percent of likely Democratic voters in Pennsylvania. (Politics PA)
• Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania and Republican Primary candidate, officially endorsed Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett for reelection in 2014. (Politics PA)