NPR News
House Votes To Cancel Medicare Pay Cuts For Doctors
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was able to get the bill passed while the Senate couldn't by appending it to a more popular bill. Republicans complained the cost of the measure was not offset and also charged that it was repayment to the AMA for endorsing the Democrats' health care bill.
Army Relents; Allows Limited Media At Palin Event
Army officials had said they would prohibit coverage of Palin's on-post event, saying it would turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.
'Oprah Winfrey Show' To Go Off The Air In 2011
The talk-show icon will call it a wrap after 25 seasons, her production company said. A formal announcement is expected on Friday's edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Another Minn. Man Indicted In Missing Somalis Case
Another man has been indicted on terrorism charges in a federal investigation into the recruitment of Minnesota Somalis to fight in Somalia.
European Union Selects Belgian, Briton For Top Posts
Trade commissioner Catherine Ashton of Britain was selected as the EU's new foreign policy chief and Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was picked for president. Their appointments suggested the need for compromise outweighed the desire for big names like former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
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University Of California OKs 30 Percent Fee Hike
In Los Angeles, University of California regents adopted a 30-percent increase in tuition in the face of a huge system-wide deficit. The vote came as thousands of angry students converged on the UCLA campus in protest.
Pelosi: Abortion Issue Won't Sink Health Care Bill
In an NPR interview, the House speaker predicted she can corral enough votes from moderate Democrats to guarantee final passage of health care legislation — even if it contains the less-restrictive rules on abortion contained in the Senate version of the bill.
Geithner: Use Leftover Bailout Money To Cut Deficit
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the government's $700 billion bailout program will end "as soon as we can," and that part of it will be used to lower the record deficit. He urged Congress to move quickly in overhauling the nation's financial rules, which he says is key to a healthy economy.
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Police, Courthouse Targeted In Pakistan Attacks
Two police officers were killed by a suicide bomber a day after 19 people were killed outside a courthouse in Peshawar. The bombings brought to eight the number of militant attacks in less than two weeks in the city on the Afghan border.
Karzai Sees Afghan Security Control Within 5 Years
Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged Thursday to prosecute corrupt officials, and said the country would control it own security within five years. Karzai's comments came in an inauguration speech that kicked off his second term of office amid a growing Taliban insurgency and a cloud of corruption allegations.
Former Top Military Chiefs To Lead Fort Hood Review
Defense Secretary Robert Gates named former Army Secretary Togo West and former chief of naval operations Adm. Vernon Clark to review a broad range of Pentagon programs. The review will try to find gaps in procedures for identifying service members who could pose threats to others, he said.
Computer Glitch, Grounds Flights, Passengers
A computer glitch at the Federal Aviation Administration caused widespread flight cancellations and delays, causing air travelers across the nation to revise their plans. The glitch was reminiscent of a software malfunction that delayed flights around the country last year. Matthew Wald, a reporter for The New York Times, says there have been intermittent systemic disruptions for years.
Health Bill Hopes To Sway Reluctant Democrats
The Senate needs 60 votes to bring its health care bill to the floor. To round up those votes, the bill unveiled Wednesday costs less than the House version, and delays the effective date for many provisions to 2014. Republicans are denouncing the cost cuts as mere gimmicks. Will those measures be enough to persuade wavering Democrats to vote at least to bring the bill up?
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Malcolm Gladwell, Eclectic Detective
Postal Service Cancels Letter To Santa Program
The U.S. Postal Service is dropping a popular national program begun in 1954 in the small Alaska town of North Pole, where volunteers open and respond to thousands of letters addressed to Santa each year. Replies come with North Pole postmarks.
South African Runner Will Keep Gold Medal
Caster Semenya will keep her 800-meter gold medal from the world championships in Berlin, but the results of her gender tests will be kept confidential, the South African sports ministry says.
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Economic Indicators Signal Slow Growth Ahead
A forecast of economic activity for the next six months edged up less than expected in October, signaling slow growth next year. The Conference Board says its index of leading economic indicators rose 0.3 percent last month. Economists had expected a larger increase.
New Karzai Term, But Same Old Problems
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated in Kabul on Thursday for a new term amid tight security and ceremonial flourishes. But his second term is already beset by severe doubts that he will be any more effective at tackling the country's rampant corruption.
Recovery In Developed Economies Gathering Pace
Recovery will accelerate next year due to "substantial improvements" in financial markets and fast-growing Asian countries, but is likely to remain fragile, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said. The OECD more than doubled its estimate for 2010 growth in its 30 member countries to 1.9 percent, from the 0.7 percent forecast in June.
'Computer Glitch' Delays Flights Across The Nation
Air traffic delays due to "computer glitch."


