NPR News 2013-01-23 加文本

NPR News 2013-01-23

From NPR news in Washington, I am Lakshimi Singh.

The Lone Star College near Houston Texas remains on lockdown after a shooting on campus. It’s uncertain how many people were injured. There is a word that at least one suspect is in custody. Jack Williams, news director of member station KUHF in Houston says students are describing the first moments of the ordeal.

Several students have described an altercation involving the shooter and possibly another student. There was obviously chaos there on the scene as the shootings took place with soft stretchers being loaded; and ambulances and helicopters flying around the scene, students leaving the campus. Some of students were actually allowed to leave the campus said that they saw the gunman shooting another man and possibly accidentally shooting several other people nearby. They said it was a chaotic scene and they try to get away as soon they could.

KUHF news director Jack Williams. The shooting comes at a politically sensitive time for the Obama administration which enters the second term for more gun control. The president presented proposals more than a month after a mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school.

Nebraska’s governor has told the Obama administration that he is now in favor of the Keystone XL pipeline. NPR’s Richard Harris reports the governor had originally objected to the Canadian pipeline because it would cut through sensitive lands.

“The Keystone XL pipeline would carry thick Canadian oil from Alberta to refineries along the Texas coast. But in 2001, Nebraska’s governor Dave Heineman tried to block the pipeline because it would run through the state’s fragile Sandhills region. As a result, the Canadian companies picked a new route for the pipeline. The governor, a Republican, has now told the Obama administration the new route is okay. He wants to create those pipeline construction jobs in his state. President Obama will ultimately have to decide whether the pipeline fits into his all-of-the-above energy strategy or if he would side with climate activists who say this oil should remain in the ground just slow global warming. Richard Harris, NPR news.”

So, the National Association of Realtors is saying existing home sales in December slipped a bit. NPR’s Yuki Noguchi reports sales are curtailed by low inventory and stricter mortgage underwriting standards.

“Sales of existing homes fell 1% in November, a slight decline that the Realtors Association attributed them part the fact that fewer homes are on the market. Inventory which had skyrocketed a few years ago fell again in December and it is now at a 4.5 months’ supply, lower than the 6 months that is standard in a normal market. Still, low interest rates and an improved job market increased demand in 2012 and made the most active year for existing home sales in 5 years. Home prices also continue to increase. They rose 6.3% last year over 2011. Yuki Noguchi, NPR news, Washington.”

Dow is up 45 points. This is NPR news.

Activists on the both sides of the abortion debate marking this 40th anniversary of Roe versus Wade, the Supreme Court decision on women’s right to abortion. Opponents are holding prayers, workshops, and rallies against termination of pregnancy. In Kansas, hundreds of people gather to listen to Republican governor Sam Brownback who is calling for further restrictions. Meanwhile the National Organization for Women plans a candle light vigil at the Supreme Court.

The director best known for the Death Wish movies has died. NPR’s Neda Ulaby reports he died yesterday at his home in London after a long illness.

“World to the muggers, rapists, and carjackers who messed with Charles Bronson in the Death Wish series.”

“It’s my car.” “Are you going dead?!”

“The five Death Wish movies made over 60 million dollars in the US alone. Critics revile the gory violence and prove vigilante message. Winner who has educated at a Quaker school described in this ‘a puddle of blood’. The director was flamboyant, political conservative, and last year was voted among the annoying people in Britain. He annoyed plenty of restaurant tours in his side career as a food critic for the Sunday times. Michael Winner was 77 years old. Neda Ulaby, NPR news.”

Stocks waivered in an early trading today on Wall Street as companies turned in a mix-batch of earnings report. du Pont, for example rose after reporting incoming that beat Wall Street’s forecast. Johnson & Johnson beat most expectations for the final quarter of the year. Last check, Dow was up more than 40 points at 13,693.

This is NPR.