NPR News 2012-03-13 加文本

NPR News 2012-03-13

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

Shock. That's how the Obama administration describes news that a US soldier in Afghanistan allegedly massacred 16 men, women and children in two villages over the weekend. The White House says a full investigation is underway. This as it works to keep US-Afghan relations from unraveling in the wake of this incident and the recent Quran burnings at a US base. Meanwhile, the soldier's name has not yet been disclosed, but he’s reported to be a staff sergeant with the 3rd Stryker Brigade of the 2nd Infrantry Division, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, south of Seattle.

US drivers are now paying an average of $3.80 to fill their gas tanks, perhaps much higher if you live in Hawaii, California or New York. The average price has risen about 30 cents a gallon in just the last month. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the White House is trying to make sure President Obama doesn't pay a political price for that.

The White House is releasing a new report showing steps it's taken to reduce  reliance on imported oil. The administration acknowledges that provides little relief from high pump prices. But if it can’t offer an immediate solution, the White House at least wants to show it's not part of the problem. The report notes US oil production is at an eight-year high, rebutting Republican claims that Mr. Obama has restricted domestic drilling. Meanwhile, this year of US oil consumption met by foreign sources fell to 45% last year. Mr. Obama will be touting those figures when he talks with local TV anchors from around the country today. He’ll also discuss his push for greater fuel efficiency, which would make even pricy gasoline a little less of a headache. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

Pacific Gas & Electronic has agreed to pay 70 million dollars to help California's San Bruno community recover from the 2010 pipeline explosion. Federal investigators accused PG&E of allowing serious failures that led to the blast. Eight people died; dozens more were injured.

GOP candidates are campaigning in Mississippi and Alabama ahead of those states' primaries tomorrow. NPR's Kathy Lohr reports the latest polls show it is a tight race.

The head of Public Policy Polling says any of three candidates, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorm or Mitt Romney, could win GOP primaries in Alabama and Mississippi. Gingrich has a slight lead in Mississippi, closely followed by Romney and Santorum. And in Alabama, the latest poll shows the race is nearly even. That's surprising to some who say the former Massachusetts governor is not conservative enough for southern voters. Gingrich and Santorum are campaigning hard in both states. The former speaker is trying to re-energize his campaign, while Santorum says evangelical Christians and conservatives here can give him the boost to go head-to-head with Romney. Kathy Lohr, NPR News, Jackson, Mississippi.

Dow was up 45 points at 12,967.

This is NPR News.

The federal government confirms Texas will no longer receive federal funding for its women's health program. NPR's Wade Goodwyn in Dallas reports it's a reaction to Texas' decision to bar Planned Parenthood from the program.

Texas Governor Rick Perry and the legislature have unapologetically targeted Planned Parenthood and any other women's clinic which will accommodate a woman seeking an abortion. In the process, Texas has cut funding to women's clinics by 2/3, eliminating access for nearly 300,000 Texans. But you cannot do that and still get federal funding, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius confirmed the expected on Friday, cutting off 30 million dollars in federal funding to Texas. Governor Rick Perry shrugged it off and said the state would pay, although when his state had just cut four billion dollars to public education. Perry didn't say where that money would come from. Wade Goodwyn, NPR News, Dallas.

The highest-ranking official to be charged in the deadly 2010 West Virginia mine blast is now expected to enter a plea next week. Former mine superintendent Gary May is charged with conspiracy to defraud the federal government. He is accused of disabling a methane gas monitor and lying on safety records. The 2010 explosion claimed 29 lives. It was the worst US coal mining disaster in some 40 years.

A federal appeals court has overturned the so-called "Millennium Bomber's" 22-year sentence, saying it's too short. The panel ruled 7-4 in favor of the government's appeal that was released today against Ahmed Ressam, who is convicted on nine counts. He was arrested in 1999.

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.