NPR 2012-04-23

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Iran’s military says experts have extracted data from the RQ-170 Sentinel, an unmanned top-secret surveillance drone, and it says the experts have full understanding of the aircraft’s programs. But independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman tells “FOX News Sunday” “I don’t have confidence at this point that they’re really able to make a copy of it.” Lieberman says it’s a sophisticated piece of machinery³, and there’s a history of what he calls “Iranian bluster⁴.” There have been concerns that the drone’s radar-deflecting paint or its optical technology could be deciphered. Allison Keyes, NPR News, Washington.

 

United Nations monitors toured a rebel-held town in central Syria today to determine if the Syrian government is observing a ceasefire. Meanwhile, activists⁵ say Syrian soldiers shelled a neighborhood east of Damascus, killing⁶ at least two people. Special envoy⁷ Kofi Annan is welcoming the UN Security Council decision to deploy⁸ as many as 300 more observers to monitor the ceasefire in Syria. He spoke⁹ in Geneva today. Lisa Schlein reports Annan refers to the deployment¹⁰ as a pivotal moment for the stabilization¹¹ of the country.

 

Annan is urging both the Syrian government forces and rebel fighters to put down their weapons. He tells them they must work with the UN monitors to make sure the ceasefire holds. Fighting has continued in some cities since the ceasefire came into force ten days ago. In a statement, Annan calls on the Syrian government to stop the use of heavy weapons. He reminds the government that under the terms of the six-point plan, it had agreed to withdraw these weapons and armed forces from populated areas. He says a political process to address the legitimate¹² concerns of the Syrian people can begin after the plan is implemented¹³. For NPR News, I’m Lisa Schlein in Geneva.

 

French voters went to the polls today in the first round of the presidential elections. There were ten candidates, including the incumbent¹⁴ Nicolas Sarkozy. Preliminary results show he collected enough votes to advance to the next round, although not as many as Socialist¹⁵ Francois Hollande. A runoff election between the two men will be held two weeks from today. Polls show many voters have a bit of disappointment [slip] with Sarkozy’s first term and think he favors the rich. Hollande has proposed higher taxes on the rich and lower cuts in government spending.

 

Officials in Amsterdam say a 68-year-old woman died today from injuries sustained in yesterday’s train crash. Two passenger trains collided head on. It was being described as one of the worst train crashes in recent memory in the Netherlands. Officials say at least 40 people were seriously injured, dozens more sustained minor¹⁶ injuries. Authorities say they don’t know yet why the trains were running on the same track. 

 

This is NPR News from Washington.

 

A high-tech¹⁷ light bulb that won a US government competition goes on sale today. NPR’s Jim Hawk¹⁸ reports.

 

The energy-efficient bulb made by Dutch electronics giant Philips won a ten-million-dollar contest sponsored by the US Department of Energy. It emits the same amount of light as a standard energy-wasting 60-watt incandescent¹⁹ bulb, but uses only ten watts²⁰ of power. The contest stipulated²¹ that the winning bulb be sold for 22 dollars in its first year on the market. But the Philips LED bulb has a suggested list price of 60 dollars. A spokesman for Philips says the plan is to arrange utility rebates²² that can bring the price down to the required range. The more common type of energy-efficient bulbs—compact fluorescent²³ lights typically cost just five dollars. But the Philips says its bulb can last three times longer, emits a more natural looking light and does not contain mercury vapor²⁴. Jim Hawk, NPR News, Washington.

 

The suspense²⁵ is almost over. President Obama will officially wrap up the Democratic nomination²⁶ for president this week. Five states vote Tuesday, and the Associated Press estimates he’s certain to pick up enough delegates to become the nominee²⁷. On the Republican side, now it appears Mitt¹ Romney will be the nominee. Speculation²⁸ turns to the vice²⁹ presidential spot. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels told “FOX News Sunday” he hopes he’s not asked. 

 

“I think I would demand reconsideration, send Mr. Romney a list of people I think could suit better.”

 

Another name frequently mentioned is Florida Senator Marco Rubio. He told CNN that he doesn’t want to talk about it. And in his words, the last thing that Romney needs is for those in the peanut gallery to say what they would do if asked.

 

I’m Nora Raum, NPR News in Washington.

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