NPR News 2013-01-29 加文本

NPR News 2013-01-29

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

Leading Republican and Democratic senators are formally announcing what they describe as a “tough but fair” plan for immigration reform. They include a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants in this country. Senator Charles Schumer of New York says he thinks after multiple attempts, this might be the year (that) compromise is reached on immigration.

"It's our hope that these principles can be turned into legislation by March and have a markup by Chairman Leahy's committee with the goal of passage out of the Senate by late spring or summer."

His Republican colleague from Arizona Senator John McCain says border security is on the right track but still has a long way to go.

"There's no question there's been a significant reduction in the illegal crossings over the past five years. Apprehension of illegal immigrants by the Border Patrol have dropped 70 percent from 2005 to 2012. But their work is not yet complete."

President Obama is expected to address immigration overall during a visit to Nevada tomorrow.

The Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers are still trying to assess how much oil has leaked into the Mississippi River after two oil barges crashed into a railroad bridge near Vicksburg over the weekend. NPR's Kathy Lohr has more.

Orange containment boom is stretched across part of the river near Vicksburg, and crews are skimming oil from the water a day after the barge crashed. The barge carried eight tanks. Each one contains 80,000 gallons of light crude oil. But officials say only one of the tanks has been leaking, and oily sheen was reported up to three miles downriver from the bridge. Part of the river has been closed to traffic since the accident backing up at least two dozen tugboats, barges and other vessels, while crews transfer the remaining oil from the damaged tank. The barge was headed southbound Sunday when it struck the bridge. Officials say investigators are trying to figure out exactly how the accident happened. Kathy Lohr, NPR News.

The French government is taking up a controversial bill to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption. Proponents rally this week as NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

About 125,000 supporters of same-sex marriage and adoption took to the streets of Paris Sunday, far less than the estimated 340,000 opponents of the measure that turned out to protest two weeks ago. But French President Francois Hollande has promised to hold good on his campaign pledge. Same-sex couples have had the rights to civil unions in France for the last 15 years, but they must go abroad to adopt children. That's why France needs this law, says Emanuel Aparties who has two children with his partner.

"Today, I'm like a stranger for my children. Legally speaking, I have no rights at all. What I would like is being able to adopt them, so that they can be protected in case anything could happen to my partner."

Polls show about 63% of French people support same-sex marriage. The number drops when it concerns adoption. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

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Families in Brazil are beginning to bury victims of yesterday's fire at a nightclub. More than 230 people were killed, and the blaze swept through the Santa Maria club, which was hosting a party for university students. Police are detaining three people and seeking a fourth person for questioning.

Egypt's main reform coalition is rejecting the Islamist president’s request for talks unless the group's conditions are first met. Opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei says he believes the dialog President Mohamed Morsi wants to have will lack content. Meanwhile, another person has been killed in nearly a week of violence that has claimed dozens of lives. Yesterday President Morsi declared emergency rule in at least three cities.

'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' nabbed top of weekend box office in the US and Canada. NPR's Trina Williams reports the fairy tale-turned action flicker earns an estimated 19 million dollars in tickets sales.

This twist on 'Hansel & Gretel' is a lot different than the childhood story you may remember. The brother and sister are no longer the hunted little boy and girl but adult bounty hunters with crossbows.

"We almost die at the hands of a witch."

"But that past made us stronger."

"We’ve gotten a taste of blood."

"Which blood?"

"And we haven't stopped since."

Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton portray the title characters. Last weekend's best movie 'Mama' drops a spot; 'Silver Linings Playbook' is No.3; then 'Zero Dark Thirty.' 'Parker' starring Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham debuts at No.5. Trina Williams, NPR News.

The US stocks are turning higher with the Dow gaining 13; it’s at 13,909; NASDAQ up 12 at 3,162; S&P 500 up slightly.

This is NPR News.