NPR News 2012-09-10 加文本

NPR News 2012-09-10

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman.

President Obama and his Republican rival Mitt Romney are speaking out this weekend. Mr. Romney is focusing on potential cuts in defense spending. These could happen if President Obama and congressional Republicans cannot reach a new budget deal. As NPR's Jim Howard reports Mr. Romney is critical of both sides.

Mitt Romney says House Republicans including running mate Paul Ryan were wrong to agree with automatic cuts to end last year's debt ceiling standoff. If congress in the White House don't work out their differences, deep cuts will take place in January as part of the so-called sequestration. Romney is this week's only guest on NBC's Meet the Press.

The president was responsible for coming out with specific changes they had make to the defense budget. It was supposed to have come out this last week. He has violated the law that he in fact signed. The American people need to understand how it is that our defense is going to be so badly cut.

Romney told pro-military crowds in Virginia yesterday that he wants to strengthen and expand the US military. Jim Howard, NPR News, in Washington.

President Obama is campaigning in Melbourne, Florida. He says boosting exports can improve the economy by hoping US companies create a million new manufacturing jobs over the next four years.

We can change our tax code, so we stop giving tax breaks to companies that are shifting jobs overseas. Let's reward them for investing in new plants and equipment here in the US and training new workers here in the US and keeping the research and development here in the US and creating jobs right here in the US.

The president says Democrats are merely focused on borrowing and spending, but on making and selling goods.

An Iraqi court has sentenced Iraq's fugitive Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi to death, he has  been convicted in absentia of running death squads that targeted Shiite Muslims and members of Iraq's security forces. The BBC's Steve Jackson reports the case sparked a political crisis in the country's power-sharing government.

Tareq al-Hashemi's trail heard that he arranged suicide bombings and killings in Iraq. Witnesses told the court that although the vice president casted himself as the protector of Sunni Muslims. He would order the killing of Sunni who opposed him. He was also accused of running death squads in targeting Shiite figures. Mr. Hashemi's trail started by focusing on the killings of a lawyer and a military officer. But he may yet face further charges. He has always denied the accusations saying he is the victim of a political vendetta. BBC's Steve Jackson.

Meanwhile, there have been several bombings and a shooting in Iraq today. At least 75 people died in car bombs in 11 cities including in Baghdad. Hundreds of people are hurt in a separate incident gunmen shot and killed three Iraqi security officers at the checkpoint in a town west of Baghdad.

There is a new threat against Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, it comes from a militant leader in Jordan linked to al-Qaeda. Abu Sayyaf his militants have also attacked US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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The US is calling on Somalia to hold a fair and transparent election tomorrow to choose the country's next president. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports Somalia is trying to set up its first stable administration since 1991, following years of civil war.

More than a dozen candidates are expected to run for president, including Somalia's outgoing leader of the past three years. But bitter disputes along complex and fractious lines divided many challengers. Acting deputy US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell says September 10th will be a historic day for Somalia, adding that it is imperative for all candidates to recognise the winner and the outcome of the vote. Ventrell says the security forces must also respect the new administration and protect human rights. African Union peacekeepers have been battling radical al-Shabab Islamists to try to restore peace and order to Somalia. Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR News, Johannesburg.

Tropical storm Leslie is swirling in the middle of the Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center says it's unlikely now to strike Bermuda, instead it will pass to the east of the island. Authorities in Bermuda are warning there is likely to be flooding and storm surge.

There has been a little progress reported in talks between unionized Chicago school teachers and the city. They are resuming talks this afternoon. However, if no agreement is reached by midnight, the teachers have said they will go on strike. The teachers report, the latest contract offer is improved. The school board president negotiating for the city, says both sides are close at issue on wages and job security.

I'm Korva Coleman, NPR News, in Washington.