BREAKING NEWS

White House: Government shutdown hampers US ability to enforce Iran, Syria sanctions

The White House said on Fridaythe Treasury Department office responsible for implementing USsanctions, including those against Iran and Syria, was unable tosustain its "core functions" because of worker furloughs causedby the federal government shutdown.

"That is a negative consequence of this wholly unnecessarydecision by the House (of Representatives) Republicans to shutdown the government," White House spokesman Jay Carney toldreporters.