NPR News 2013-06-22 加文本

NPR News 2013-06-22

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

President Obama has called on Senate to move swiftly to confirm his nominee to lead the FBI. NPR’s Carrie Johnson reports the White House reached across the aisle to select Republican Jim Comey for the important job.

The president says Comey spent nearly two decades in top posts at the Justice Department.

“He has been relentless whether it’s standing up for consumers against corporate fraud or bringing terrorists to justice.”

Comey also stood up to people in the George W. Bush White House over an electronic surveillance program of questionable legality. If confirmed by the US Senate, Comey would replace current FBI Director Robert Muller who Comey says has a legendary reputation in law enforcement circles.

“I don't know whether I can fill those shoes, but I know that however I do I will be standing truly on the shoulders of a giant.”

Lawmakers need to confirm a new FBI director before Muller leaves in early September. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

The US Senate’s expected to vote Monday on a border security agreement that would pave the way for passage of the sweeping immigration bill by the end of that week. The deal doubles border patrols and adds hundreds of miles of fencing.

Wildfires are forcing hundreds of people from their homes across the parched southern Rockies. NPR’s Kirk Siegler reports crews are up against another day of hot, windy weather with no reprieve in sight.

One of the largest and most concerning wildfires right now is actually a complex of two lightning-caused blazes that ignited in remote southwest Colorado. Hot, windy weather along with scores of dry, dead trees due to an insect outbreak helped the fires double in size in 24 hours. Undocumented and uNPRecedented, according to one wildfire behavior official. And one of the blazes reportedly came with a quarter mile of a ski area, and authorities say there's a chance they won't be able to save the nearby town of South Fork, Colorado. Meantime, an Arizona crews are continuing to battle fierce winds as they struggle to contain a large blaze that forced evacuations near the town of Prescott, about 100 miles north of Phoenix. Kirk Siegler, NPR News.

People across Singapore are enduring an uNPRecedented level of smog, a result of massive forest fires in Indonesia. Resident M.J. Davis says she’s taking extra precaution against the elevated pollution affecting multiple countries.

“I’m walking around with a face mask and wearing it in house and wearing it to walk my dog and wearing it to go grocery shopping, wearing in taxis, but there are definitely a lot of kind of local and older folks here who are not, who you see sitting outside a coffee shop, still without a mask, having a cigarette.”

Authorities say a lot of fires are caused by farmers who conduct illegal burns or people who recklessly discard still-lit cigarettes. Singapore's environment minister flew to Jakarta today to talk about measures the region could take to reduce forest fires.

Before the closing bell, Dow was up 43 at 14,801. This is NPR News.

A lawyer who reviewed claims from the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is resigning. NPR's Debbie Elliott reports the resignation comes after oil giant BP called for an outside inquiry into alleged misconduct.

The attorney is accused of receiving a share of settlement payments from oil spill cases he once referred to a New Orleans law firm. BP says only an independent investigation will ensure the integrity of the claim's process. The company is already suing over the way claims are being paid in its multi-billion-dollar settlement reached last year with private oil spill victims. BP argues Administrator Patrick Juneau isn't sticking to the terms of the deal and is paying for fictitious losses. BP originally estimated the settlement would cost about 7.8 billion dollars, but has since warned investors the price tag will be higher. Juneau has already paid out more than $2.5 billion. Debbie Elliott, NRR News.

Prosecutors in George Zimmerman's murder trial in central Florida can argue that the neighborhood watch volunteer profile Trayvon Martin based on clothing or age. But today Judge Debra Nelson ruled that the prosecution cannot use race as a factor. Zimmerman, who identifies himself as Latino, shot and killed Martin, an African-American teenager, more than a year ago. The defendant maintains it was self-defense. The prosecution argues the 17-year-old was not armed and not a threat.

The government reportedly is moving toward easing restrictions on the use of electronic devices during take-off and landing. An advisory committee has until September now to deliver proposals to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Before the close, Dow was up 41 at 14,700. This is NPR.