NPR News 2011-08-21 加文本

NPR News 2011-08-21

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

Thousands of Verizon Telecom workers are ending their strike and returning to work Tuesday. But Verizon chief spokesman Peter Thonis says both sides have yet to reach a labor deal.

"We've agreed on a process. We've, we've, we have agreed collectively to begin to negotiate the major issues."

About 45,000 unionized workers linked to the Landline Division of Verizon went on strike August 7th, potentially affecting nine states from Massachusetts to Virginia.

Libyan rebels say they now have their sights set on the capital Tripoli after seizing control of a city 30 miles west of the capital. NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro reports the opposition has taken control of Zawiya, which was strategically important in their campaign to unseat Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

This led to plenty of the battles of fighting Gaddafi's forces to the east of the city. This is not a fight just within Zawiya. Now that Zawiya has been liberated, they're pushing on to the capital Tripoli. The sources here say the forces will not hold the country until they hold the capital. So they will not stop until they reach the seat of Gaddafi's power, which is Tripoli.

NPR's Lourdes Garcia-Navarro tracking events in Zawiya.

Israel and Egypt are trying to defuse tensions that have tested their more than 30-year-old peace treaty. The Jewish state apologized today to Egypt for the deaths of at least three Egyptian security personnel who were caught in the crosshairs of the battle between Israeli forces and suspected Palestinian militants this week. The apology came hours after Egypt reportedly announced plans to recall its ambassador from Tel Aviv. From Cairo, NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson has more on this story.

Earlier, Egyptian state TV announced following a cabinet meeting that the Arab country was recalling its ambassador. But hours later, the statement disappeared from the airwaves. Instead, the official network reported the Egyptian foreign minister would summon the Israel ambassador about the shootings. The state-run Al-Ahram and its online service called the reports of the Egyptian ambassador recall an unintentional air. A recall would stimulate sharp escalation in tensions between Egypt and Israel. Relations between the two have been cool at best this year. News agencies are reporting Israel has not received official notification of the recall and is investigating the shootings that followed a roadside ambush in southern Israel. Eight Israelis were killed in that attack. Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson, NPR News, Cairo.

Two American men detained for more than two years in Iran have been convicted of espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison. They were among three hikers captured along the Iran-Iraq border. The third American woman was released last year.

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Northeastern Wisconsin is reeling from an apparent tornado that authorities say killed at least one person. Emergency Management spokeswoman Lori Getter says there's also been some damage, and about 2,000 people have been affected.

"And that area is very rural. It has lots of trees. Again with the strong winds and a potential tornado, there are lots of trees down on roads, lots of downed power line."

The National Weather Service says the storm also generated large hail.

In Pittsburgh, authorities say they have recovered the body of a woman who was killed during flash floods yesterday. High water from storms sank more than a dozen vehicles, including one carrying a woman and two children that became pinned to a tree. They were also killed.

Job creation takes center stage in this week's media addresses, and we have more on this from NPR's Giles Snyder.

President Obama is accusing Congress of holding back the economic recovery, saying there's something, such as passing a road construction bill, that lawmakers could get done right away.

"The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party. That's the problem we have right now. That's what's holding this country back."

Mr. Obama recorded his this weekly address while he was on his bus tour of the Midwest. In the GOP address, Ohio Governor John Kasich urged both sides to compromise when required.

"It's my hope President Obama will listen to the people and partner with Republicans to get our economy back to creating jobs and producing growth."

Kasich also said Republicans should not be stiff-necked when important work must be done. Giles Snyder, NPR News, Washington.

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.