NPR News 2011-11-29 加文本

NPR News 2011-11-29

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

The U.S. investors are delivering a strong start to the holiday shopping season. The market opened the day sharply higher with an initial report showing a record number of consumers taking advantage of post-Thanksgiving Day sales. Investors also appeared to be more optimistic about Europe's prospects in getting its debt troubles under control. At last check on Wall Street the Dow was up 265 points or 2.3% at 11,501; NASDAQ up more than 3% still at 2,520 with the S&P 500 also up 2.6% at 1,190.

After last week's failure by the congressional super committee to agree on a deficit reduction plan, a renewed push is expected in Congress to adopt the recommendations of a bipartisan blue ribbon presidential fiscal commission. NPR's David Welna reports the so-called Bowles-Simpson report raises taxes and cuts spending to reduce projected borrowing by $4 trillion over the next decade.

The collapse of the super committee's effort has left lawmakers without the expedited rules that might have greased the skids for moving weighty issues as part of a deal. Instead, Congress must use its regular slow-moving rules to act on economic relief measures. Its expiration date is less than five weeks away. One is whether to extend and possibly expand the partial payroll tax holiday that saved the average family about $900 this year. Another is whether to renew expiring emergency unemployment benefits. Republicans concerned are insisting that any extensions be paid for by cutting the budget elsewhere. Democrats prefer raising taxes on the wealthy. That's the same disagreement that left the super committee empty-handed. David Welna, NPR News, the Capitol.

The White House is expressing regret over the deaths of 24 Pakistani troops. They were killed in a cross-border fighting over the weekend that involved NATO forces. State Department says Pakistan is now considering pulling out of an international conference on Afghanistan next week.

New Delhi, India, is in the midst of a wedding frenzy. Astrologists predicted that November 28th would be an especially auspicious time to begin a marriage. NPR's Corey Flintoff says tens of thousands of couples are taking advantage of it.

Drums and brass bands sounded all over the city as thousands of grooms arrived at wedding halls to greet thousands of brides. For people in all levels of Indian society, a wedding is the biggest party of one's life. Officials say there may have been as many as 60,000 such weddings in New Delhi today. Traffic police put on extra patrols because they fear that the wedding processions could turn the capital city's traffic into a hopeless snarl. As India's economy grows, experts predict that the wedding industry will grow at a rate of more than 20% a year. Corey Flintoff, NPR News, News Delhi.

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Thousands of Chicagoans have turned out to pay their final respects to Maggie Daley, the wife of former Mayor Richard Daley and the city's first lady the last 22 years. NPR's David Schaper reports Mrs. Daley's funeral mass included dignitaries and ordinary Chicagoans alike.

Bagpipes wailed through the chilly Chicago air as a hearse pulled up in front of historical St. Patrick's Church, downtown Chicago. Former Mayor Richard Daley stood solemnly with his hands over his heart as pallbearers that included Maggie Daley's three brothers and her three brothers-in-law. White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley among them escorted her casket inside. First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg are among the other dignitaries attending the funeral, along with hundreds of regular Chicagoans. Maggie Daley was known for her devotion to Chicago's arts scene and starting an afterschool program to bring the arts to Chicago's youths. She died Thanksgiving night after a long battle with cancer. David Schaper, NPR News, Chicago.

After more than three decades in the U.S. House, Congressman Barney Frank says he will not run for reelection next year. Today the Democrat from Massachusetts said his decision was precipitated by his state's new redistricting map that will include constituencies never before represent. But the 71-year-old said after stressful four years tackling financial reform, he's ready to shift to other interests but still plans to help shape public policy.

U.S. stocks were up today. At last check the Dow gaining 275 points or 2.4%, it's at 11,507 in trading of two billion shares; NASDAQ up 3.25%.

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.