NPR Headline News
Advocates Want Bush Abortion Policies Reversed
Abortion-rights backers want quick action from the president-elect, although they may not press for sweeping changes. Obama has said he is looking to find common ground on reproductive health issues.
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Obama Eyeing CNN's Gupta For Surgeon General?
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon, is reportedly in talks to become the Obama administration's surgeon general. Gupta worked on health policy as a White House fellow in the 1990s.
New Congress Starts With Senate Seat Drama
The pomp and circumstance of the opening of the 111th Congress was overshadowed Tuesday by the brouhaha over Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris, along with Minnesota's contested Senate seat and the simmering controversy over Barack Obama's reported pick for CIA director.
Obama Vows No Earmarks In Stimulus Package
President-elect Barack Obama has met with his team of economic advisers in Washington and said the government must get its own fiscal house in order. He said new spending in the stimulus package will be carefully monitored, and won't include earmarks.
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Burris Gets The Senate Boot, Vows To Take Seat
Roland Burris came to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to take his seat as the junior senator from Illinois, but the Democratic leadership in the Senate kept him out. Despite getting shunned, Burris says the law is on his side.
Hoyer Sets Mid-February Timeline For Stimulus
Congress is unlikely to meet President-elect Barack Obama's plea for an economic stimulus package that would be ready by the time he takes office Jan. 20. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer says the package is likely to be ready for Obama's signature by mid-February.
Obama Eyes CNN's Gupta For Surgeon General
President-elect Barack Obama is reported to have picked CNN'S medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta to be the next surgeon general.
Recession May Affect How Gadgets Pitched At Expo
The Consumer Electronics Show, the biggest showcase for new electronics products, is in Las Vegas this week. Those attending are trying to console themselves that their sales in 2008 are projected as flat, or only down between 3 and 4 percent.
Pelosi Re-Elected Speaker As Congress Returns
The new House of Representatives was sworn in with pomp, circumstance and an ambitious Democratic agenda. Nancy Pelosi was re-elected speaker and the Democrats changed some House rules, such as repealing term limits for committee chairs. This has Republicans grousing at the festivities.
Background Of Past CIA Chiefs Examined
President-elect Barack Obama has named former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta as his choice for CIA director. Tim Weiner, author of Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA, talks about past CIA directors and their experience when they took office.
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Gaza Resident Describes Situation
Violence continued in the Gaza Strip today as reports surfaced of an Israeli strike on a school that killed more than 30 people. Ahmed Abu Hamda, who is a Gaza resident and a news producer for many news networks, including NPR, says everyone is panicked and trying to stay find a safe place to stay.
Macworld, Without Jobs, Unveils ITunes Changes
In its last appearance at Macworld — and the first without CEO Steve Jobs — Apple introduced the new MacBook Pro with a longer battery life, and changes to rights management in iTunes. Tom Krazit of CNET News says Jobs has been the main attraction at the expo for some time and his absence must have weighed on some people's minds.
Gaza Civilian Toll Rises; Israel Blames Hamas
As Israeli forces press their offensive in the Gaza Strip, the death toll among Palestinian civilians is increasing. Israel blames Hamas for the casualties, saying the Islamist militants are operating amid the civilian population.
For Israeli Blogger, Conflict Spurs Mixed Emotions
For the past year, two men — one Israeli, one Palestinian — have been blogging about their lives on opposite sides of the Israeli-Gaza border. Online, they call themselves Hope Man and Peace Man.
Decoding The Health Statement Of Apple's Jobs
When Apple CEO Steve Jobs put out a cryptic statement this week about his widely discussed weight loss, he practically guaranteed a new round of speculation about its cause. He also ensured the speculation would include a fresh dose of misconceptions.
Doctors Struggle To Get Into Gaza
Relief supplies are stacking up on Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip. But only a trickle of humanitarian and medical aid is getting through. Meanwhile, Palestinians eager to return home despite the carnage, have found themselves stranded.
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U.S. Auto Sales Plummet: Where Is The Bottom?
The auto industry continues to take a beating as U.S. sales plummeted 18 percent last year and General Motors recorded its worst year in sales in nearly 50 years. And the worst isn't over: Consulting firm IHS Global Insight predicts U.S. sales will dip further with the sagging economy.
Gaza Conflict Plays Out Online Through Social Media
Palestinians and Israelis are telling their stories with text messages and social media tools such as Twitter and Facebook. Now the mainstream media and the Israeli government are getting into the act.
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New Talks Slated Over Ukraine Gas Dispute
Ukraine and Russia will hold new talks this week aimed at resolving a bitter dispute over Moscow's cutoff of natural gas to the independent nation, a disruption that has affected much of Europe.
Election Disputes, Stimulus Bill Await New Congress
The Democratic-controlled 111th Congress convenes Tuesday, amid increased pressure to pass an economic stimulus package that supporters say could prevent the country from sliding deeper into recession.