NPR美国国家公共电台 2013-04-11

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

 

　　President Obama says a nearly $ 3.8 trillion budget he announced today shrinks the deficit¹, while still making needed investments in the country's economy. NPR's Scott Horsley reports the president's plan calls for new taxes, entitlement savings² and fresh spending on pre-school and public works.

 

　　The president's plan has already drawn³ criticism from both the left and the right for it's offered to trim spending on medicare and social security and it's called for hundreds of billions of dollars in new taxes. Still Obama says the plan should appeal to century's lawmakers with its balance of deficit reduction and new investment.

 

　　And if we can come together, have a serious, reasoned debate, not driven by politics and come together around common sense and compromise, then I am confident we will move this country forward and leave behind something better for our children.

 

　　Obama will push that plan tonight when holds a private dinner with a dozen Republican senators. Scott Horsley, NPR News, the White House.

 

　　But Congressional Republicans are bracing⁴ at the idea of a plan that adds new spending. House Speaker John Boehner.

 

　　American people know, you can't continue to spend money that you don't have. The federal government has spent more than what it has brought in in 55 of the last 60 years.

 

　　The Obama's budget also calls for deep cuts at Pentagon which plans to reduce the size of its civilian⁵ workforce⁶ by as much as 50,000 over the next five years. It's part of an effort to implement⁷ about $34 billion in cuts.

 

　　Two senators have struck a bipartisan deal to expand federal background checks on fire arms. Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey says the checks which currently only cover sales through licensed⁸ gun dealers⁹ would be extended to all commercial sales.

 

　　There are a number of gun control proposals that I think actually would infringe¹⁰ Second Amendment¹¹ rights and I will tell you categorically that nothing in our amendment prevents the ownership of guns by any lawful¹² person, and I wouldn't support it if it did.

 

　　His Democratic colleague Joe Manchin says the compromise can go a long way.

 

　　Today's agreement is a first step in a common ground that all of us agree is crucial to keep guns out of dangerous hands and to keep our children safe.

 

　　This hour, several groups advocating for immigrant rights are rallying at the U.S. capital in a bid to press lawmakers to swiftly approve comprehensive immigration change. NPR's Amy Walters is on the scene.

 

　　There seems to be just a sea of people, white T-shirts, green T-shirts, yellow T-shirts, signs, saying we are the people who banish¹⁴ all together. NPR's Amy Walters is reporting.

 

　　Earlier, counter demonstrations¹⁵ were staged by activists¹⁶ who have been pushing for tighter immigration restrictions¹⁷ and expanded border security.

 

　　Before the closing bell, Dow was up 129 points at 14,802.

 

　　You are listening to NPR News.

 

　　Former Congressman¹⁸ Anthony Weiner is waving a run for New York City mayor this year. NPR's Joel Rose reports the disgraced Democrat¹³ made those comments in an interview published online today.

 

　　In a latest story in this weekend's New York Times magazine, Weiner talks kindly¹⁹ about the scandal that brought his political career to a screeching²⁰ halt in the summer of 2011 when he was caught having lewd²¹ interactions with several women online and lying about it. Weiner resigned from Congress, but his marriage to Huma Abedin, a long time aide to Hillary Clinton, survived. And with six months to go before the New York City mayor primary, Weiner says "it's now or maybe never for me". Weiner has spent $100,000 on polling research and still has millions more in his campaign war chest, but acknowledges that some voters will never forgive him. Some people, he says, "just don't have room for a second narrative²² about me". Joel Rose, NPR News, New York.

 

　　First Lady Michelle Obama is taking the administration's campaign for tighter gun control to her family's hometown Chicago. She visited a high school where authorities say 29 current or former students have been shot in the past year. Mrs. Obama challenged business leaders to play a bigger part in reducing gun violence in Chicago's neighborhoods.

 

　　A couple who allegedly kidnapped their two young sons after losing full custody²³, are being held in Florida. Joshua Hakken and his wife Sharyn  were extradited to the U.S. from Cuba to where they had fled by boat. Their children, a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old have been returned to their maternal²⁴ grandparents who were granted permanent custody of the children last week. The U.S. and Cuba don't have an extradition²⁵ agreement. But Cuban authorities notified the State Department Sunday of the Hakken's presence on the island.

 

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

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