A.M. Links: White House and House Republicans Commit To Talk About Shutdown and Debt Ceiling, Obama Administration a Threat to Press Freedom, Facebook Kills Privacy Setting

• 

  Credit: White House

  The White House and House Republicans have committed to talking about ways to avoid a default on U.S. debt, the first concrete sign of a potential compromise since the government shut down 11 days ago. Russia's Finance Minister claims that U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke assured officials of other G20 economies that the standoff would end before October 17.

• The Committee to Protect Journalists believes the Obama administration's aggressive prosecution of leaks and its efforts to control information are becoming a threat to press freedom and democracy. Journalists everywhere feel edgy and important.
• President Obama yesterday signed into law a resolution providing continuing appropriations for death gratuities and survivor benefits for survivors of deceased military service members.
• Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, known for his deep knowledge of U.S. defense spending and the defense industry, said on Thursday he was stepping down in December after four years in top Pentagon jobs.
• Facebook is eliminating a privacy setting that allowed members to prevent themselves from appearing in search results. OMG WUT?!
• The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday. A shirtless Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was also nominated, rode off into the sunset shaking his fist.

Follow Reason and Reason 24/7 on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.  You can also get the top stories mailed to you—sign up here. Have a news tip? Send it to us!