NPR 2009-08-21

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The Obama administration has confirmed plans to bring an end to the popular "Cash for Clunkers" program. In a statement, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says there's enough money to continue accepting submissions¹ until the deadline this Monday evening. Auto² dealers³ have sold almost half a million vehicles under the program, but some complained they've yet to be reimbursed⁴ by the government. President Obama is urging patience.

If we were just sending out checks where applications were incomplete and so on, first of all, we'd be breaking the law because there're statutes⁵ set up in terms of how this is supposed to go, and secondly⁶, there'd probably be some story. You'd be asking me about scandals where there were a whole bunch of checks of taxpayer⁷ money being wasted, going out to people who hadn't actually bought cars." Mr. Obama was speaking on the syndicated Radio program today. Both GM and Chrysler are helping⁸ dealers with cash advances while they wait for government checks.

Despite generally positive jobs data, first-time jobless claims in the US are edging back up. That's according to the Labor⁹ Department. Last week 15,000 more people filed initial claims than the previous week. NPR's Frank Langfitt reports.

Most economists¹⁰ think that even when the recession ends, the job market will remain lousy for some time. The new weekly unemployment numbers seemed to reinforce that notion. After dipping to 524,000 in mid-June, first-time claims had rebounded¹¹ to 576,000 by last week. Overall, the labor market is shrinking at a slower rate than earlier in the recession, but with consumer demands still low, most businesses are reluctant to start hiring. Consumer spending drives about 70% of the US economy. Analysts¹² worry that if the labor market remains¹³ weak, people won’t have enough money to spend and help kick the economy back into gear. Frank Langfitt, NPR News, Washington.

In Afghanistan, votes are being counted from today's presidential and provincial¹⁴ council elections. Turnout was lower than expected in large part over security concerns. NPR's Jackie Northam reports from Kabul.

There was sporadic¹⁵ rocket and mortar¹⁶ attacks in several areas of Afghanistan as voters headed to the polls. Turnout was light in many areas. Election officials predict less than half the eligible¹⁷ voters cast a ballot¹⁸ because many people were too worried or afraid of an attack. That's particularly true in the east and the south of the country. This is the political stronghold of President Hamid Karzai, and a low turnout in the south could have an impact on the outcome of the elections. Meanwhile, there was a strong turnout in many parts of the north, which could help Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Karzai's main challenger. This could increase the chances of a run-off election if neither candidate wins more than 50%. Election officials say it will take two weeks to see the result of the vote. Jackie Northam, NPR News, Kabul.

On Wall Street, Wall Street was up for a third straight day today. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 70 points at 9,350.

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The only man convicted in the Lockerbie bombing has returned home to Libya after being released today from a prison in Scotland. The Scottish government released Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi because he has prostate cancer and / is not expected to live much longer. The decision to release him has outraged¹⁹ relatives of the 270 people killed in the 1988 bombing, a Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie. President Obama warned Libya today not to give him a hero's welcome but thousands were on hand when he arrived in Tripoli.

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge and will be sentenced to two years in prison. NPR's Mike Pesca has more.

Plaxico Burress was in plenty of trouble last November after he shot himself in the thigh²⁰ with an unregistered handgun in a New York City nightclub. First it was the wound, which wasn't life-threatening but was serious enough to make him miss the rest of the season. Then there was the money. The incident allowed the Giants to void the 35 million-dollar-contract the former Super Bowl hero had signed just a couple of months before the shooting. Now Burress will be going to prison after pleading to a lesser²¹ charge than the one he was indicted²² for earlier this month. Facing three and a half years in prison on a possession charge, Burress admitted to attempted possession of a firearm and will serve at least 20 months even with time off for good behavior. He may face an additional suspension from the NFL should he wish to return to his once impressive football career. Mike Pesca, NPR News, New York.

Jamaican track star Usain Bolt has set another record at the World Championships. His victory in the 200 meters in Berlin today adds to the gold medal run he made in the 100. The defending champion, American Tyson Gay, was out with an injury.