News Headlines - 23 October 2013

▽BBC News - Spain out of recession, central bank says

Spain's economy has emerged from recession after growing for the first time in more than two years, according to estimates from the Bank of Spain. Spain's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.1% between July and September, the bank said.

▽BBC News - Obama official Jofi Joseph fired over insulting tweets

A senior White House official has been sacked after being unmasked as the man behind a widely read Twitter account that provided an abrasive commentary on his colleagues for more than two years.

▽Is This The End Of Saudi-US Friendship?

On October 18, the Saudis very publicly refused their (non-permanent) seat on the UN Security Council on the grounds that the council has double standards and has not been effective in the Middle East. This was the diplomatic equivalent of shouting and waving, "Hey! Remember us?" at the Americans. It followed the recent warming of relations between the US and Iran.

▽Prince William and Kate hold private christening for new prince | Reuters

Just 21 guests were invited to the christening of Britain's Prince George on Wednesday, a sign of how much his parents intend to guard the privacy of a baby born to be king.

▽Shinzo Abe under pressure to review Tepco’s future - FT.com

Shinzo Abe used unequivocal language in September to assure members of the International Olympic Committee that the clean-up at Japan’s ruined nuclear power plant was “under control” and should not weigh against Tokyo’s bid to host the 2020 summer games.