NPR News 2013-08-31 加文本

NPR News 2013-08-31

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack Speer.

A stunning defeat for British Prime Minister David Cameron, who lost a vote in Parliament endorsing military action against Syria by 13 votes today. The defeat comes as Britain had appeared to be ready to join the US in possible attacks against Syria over alleged chemical weapons use. The BBC's Rob Watson reports the non-binding vote leaves Cameron and the country in a tough spot.

The way at least Britain, if we dealt with that first, is in a very awkward position in some of its relationship with the United States and with other countries, who are thinking of backing military intervention against Syria. I think certainly domestically for David Cameron this is gonna be a rather sticky moment, although it's perfectly true that his defeat is in part to do with the long shadow cast over British politics by Iraq, in other words, by the actions of a previous government. Still people will be saying “Well, hang on a minute. He’s supposed to be the leader. Why didn't he foresee these problems.”

Cameron said he will not override Parliament. The White House says it will continue to consult with the UK government. It also plans to be guided by the best interest of the US.

So-called Rim Fire continues to burn in and around Yosemite National Park, has now grown by several hundred more acres. The fire, which remains largely uncontained, now expanded to more than 300 square miles. A California fire spokesman says crews are confident that containment lines they do have in place are holding, to be concerned about rising temperatures. Temperatures in the area rose into the 90s today, the fire that began August 17th quickly becoming one of the costliest in California history.

The IRS has issued new tax guidance for married same-sex couples. NPR's Scott Horsley reports it's one of the moves by the Obama administration to implement this summer’s Supreme Court ruling extending federal recognition to gay marriage.

Starting next month, the IRS says legally married same-sex couples must file married tax returns, even if they live in states where their marriage’s not recognized. Treasury officials say treating married couples alike in all 50 states will make it easier to administer the tax code and assure same-sex couples their federal tax status won't change if they move from one state to another. For some couples marriage status will mean higher federal taxes while others will get a tax break. Those who seek their savings will have the option seeking refunds for up to three previous years. Same-sex married partners will also get the benefit of other federal tax breaks that straight couples enjoy, including tax-free inheritance and tax-free spousal health insurance. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Washington.

The economy was continuing to grow to a more robust rate during the second three months of the year than initially thought. That's according to the Commerce Department, who says this determined the economy expanded at a 2.5% annual rate in the second quarter and to a sharp upward revision from the 1.7% growth estimate just a month ago.

On Wall Street, stocks edged higher. The Dow was up 16 points at 14,840; the NASDAQ gained 26 points. You’re listening to NPR.

Starting soon, some bottles of the pain reliever Tylenol that are sold in the US will carry red warning labels, alerting users potentially fatal risk from taking too much of the drug. The maker of the drug Johnson & Johnson says new disclosure requirement comes amid mounting lawsuits and pressure from the federal government. The main ingredient in Tylenol, acetaminophen, is the nation's leading cause of liver failure.

It's part of a national protest. Fast-food workers union members and others demonstrated in front of a Church's Chicken in Atlanta today. Protesters want to raise their wages to 15 dollars an hour. From member station WABE, Michelle Wirth has more.

Dozens of protesters shouted and held signs in front of the fast restaurant. Church's cashier Tina McCoy says after taxes she makes a little more than 300 dollars every two weeks. She says it's not enough to support her family.

“I’m barely making it. I have to basically rob a penny to people. I’m going without, in one instance, just to be able to have a roof over my head.”

For its part, the National Restaurant Association says it welcomes a national discussion on wages, but it should be based on facts. The group says only 5% of restaurant employees make minimum wage, and they mostly work part-time, and half are teenagers. For NPR News, I'm Michelle Wirth in Atlanta.

Federal appeals court has upheld the state of California's ban on so-called conversion-therapy programs that advertise they can turn individuals who are a gay straight.