NPR 2012-01-23

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With the vessel³ lying on it's side, rescuers resumed searching the portion of the 1,000 foot-long ship above the waterline. But rough seas kept divers from exploring the submerged portion. On the investigative front, prosecutors⁴ are looking into the role of the shipping⁵ company right after the vessel rammed⁶ into a rocky reef, asking why it took more than an hour after the accident to give the mayday distress⁷ call. Captain Francesco Schettino, currently under house arrest, told prosecutors he immediately informed the shipping company, contradicting the ship owner's version of events. According to transcripts⁸ of the skipper's deposition⁹ published in the Italian media, he said the Costa company had always encouraged sailing close to shore as a means to show off its mega cruise ships. Sylvia Poggioli, NPR News, Rome.

 

With the eurozone's financial woes¹⁰, would membership in the European Union be a plus for Croatia right now? As Terri Schultz tells us, a vote on the question is ahead and Croatia is divided.

 

Croatian President Ivo Josipovic cast his vote early, calling this a big moment in Croatian history and calling on citizens to make the choice to join what he described as more successful countries in Europe. There was a time not long ago when every eastern European nation felt becoming a member of the EU meant the future would assuredly be better than the past. This close vote is proving that's no longer automatically true. Surveys indicate some 55 to 60 percent of voters do want their country to become the 28th EU member, though opponents argue that would sacrifice hard-won independence and bring little economic health given the eurozone's current crisis. If Croatia does say yes after a final approval from the current 27 EU governments, it would join next year. For NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz in Brussels.

 

A partisan¹¹ debate over the State of the Union has already started, two days ahead of the president's speech to Congress. Speaker of the House John Boehner told Fox News Sunday he's not holding his breath.

 

"All the same policies that haven't helped our economy, they've made it worse. And if that's what the president's gonna talk about Tuesday night, I think it's pathetic."

 

The Penn State family and fans everywhere are mourning the death of college football coach Joe Paterno who succumbed¹² to lung cancer at the age of 85. Students kept vigil for him this weekend. Student David Marsells explained.

 

"Show my support for Joe Paterno. He's been a great guy, like, my role model since five years old. He's given so much to me in the four years I've been at Penn State. I'm a senior. As a student, I should show him. This now is support and love, which they desperately¹³ need this time."

 

His family said that Paterno was a man devoted¹⁴ to family, university, players and community.

 

This is NPR News.

 

Today's AFC and NFC games determine the Super Bowl XLVI competitors. The New England Patriots¹⁵ host the Baltimore Ravens¹⁶ before the New York Giants play San Francisco. 

 

The quarterfinal draws are almost complete at the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, the Australian Open. As Stuart Cohen reports from Sydney, there've been very few surprises as the fourth round enters its second day.

 

The world's top men's players have all had relatively¹⁷ easy runs at this year's Australian Open. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are both through to the quarterfinals. For Federer, it's his 31st consecutive¹⁸ Grand Slam quarterfinal. Andy Murray and defending champion Novak Djokovic are both favored to win their fourth round matches. But it's a different story on the women's side. In a repeat of last year's final, defending champion Kim Clijsters defeated French Open champion Li Na to make it through to the quarterfinals despite an ankle injury during the match. World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki is also through, but she's considered a long shot, having still never won a Grand Slam tournament. Five-time Open champion Serena Williams has made fast work of her opponents on her way to the fourth round. She's a favorite to win the title after an injury-filled 2011. For NPR News, I'm Stuart Cohen in Sydney. 

 

In its debut¹⁹ weekend, vampire²⁰ thriller²¹ Underworld: Awakening²² took first place at the box office, making an estimated 25 million dollars. 

 

"We've lived safely for years, and now you've brought humans into this colony." 

 

"We stand and we fight."

 

"Oh My God."

 

Opening in second place, Red Tails, about the Tuskegee Airmen.

 

I'm Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.

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