NPR 2010-02-25

（单词翻译）

From NPR News in Washington, I’m Korva Coleman.

The president and CEO of automaker Toyota has apologized for safety problems on his company’s vehicles. “I’m deeply sorry for any accident that Toyota drivers have experienced.” Akio Toyoda says the company’s priorities became confused and that safety was not Toyota’s leading goal. “For the past few years, been expanding its business rapidly. Quite frankly¹, I fear the pace at which we have grown may have been too quick.” Toyota is recalling well over eight million vehicles for brake and sudden acceleration² problems as well as for troubles with gas pedals.

Federal prosecutors³ have charged a former New Orleans police lieutenant⁴ with covering up possible police misconduct. The case involves the shootings of civilians⁵ on a bridge in the chaotic⁶ days after Hurricane Katrina. NPR’s John Burnett reports.

Federal charges unsealed on Wednesday accuse former Lt. Michael Lohman of obstructing⁷ justice when he and other unnamed individuals filed false statements on a police report. The incident involved a shooting on the Danziger Bridge in East New Orleans on September 4th, 2005. Two people were killed, including a 40-year-old mentally disabled man shot in the back and four others were injured. The police and the civilians each claim the others opened fire unprovoked. The federal charges state that Lohman went to the scene of the shooting after the gunfire, saw the civilians had no weapons and then provided false and misleading information to ensure the police shootings would be justified⁸ and the officers would not be prosecuted⁹. Seven police officers have been charged with murder and attempted murder in the shootings. John Burnett, NPR News.

For the first time, a top Russian official is suggesting that Russia may delay selling a weapon system to Iran for fear of destabilizing the Middle East. We have more from NPR’s David Greene in Moscow.

Russia signed a contract more than two years ago to supply Iran with so-called S-300 defense¹⁰ missiles. The US and Israel have been angry about the sale as the missiles in theory could help Iran ward¹¹ off a preemptive attack on its nuclear sites. Russia has insisted it will honor the contract and deliver the weapons and that there was just a delay due to last-minute technical problems. But now, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is sending a different message. He was asked specifically about the weapon sale at a press conference and Lavrov responded, saying Russia won’t take any action leading to the destabilization of a region. Meanwhile, the US has also been hoping to get Russian support for tough new sanctions against Iran. For now, the Foreign Ministry¹² says Russia won’t support any move that would isolate¹³ Iran politically or economically. David Greene, NPR News, Moscow.

A Colorado man suspected of shooting two middle school students yesterday will have to pay one million dollars in bail¹⁴ if he wants to leave jail. Bruco Strong Eagle Eastwood was accused of shooting the children in a school parking lot.

On Wall Street, the Dow was up 67 points.

You’re listening to NPR News.

Nigeria’s vice¹⁵ president is continuing to run the affairs of state despite the overnight return of the ailing¹⁶ president after a long absence. NPR’s Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports.

A statement from the president. He gave the first official confirmation¹⁷ that Nigeria’s President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua was back. The announcement said his health was greatly improved, but he would continue to recuperate¹⁸ after three months in hospital in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan is to press on as acting¹⁹ president. The decision has averted²⁰ the kind of feverish²¹ political tension and speculation²² during the prolonged absence of the president which plunged²³ Nigeria into a constitutional crisis. However, questions remain about the long-term health of Yar'Adua and whether he will have the strength to resume the onerous²⁴ duties of president. The issue has divided Nigeria’s political elite²⁵ and the people of Africa’s most populous²⁶ nation. Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR News, Accra.

Vice President Dick Cheney is back home a few days after suffering a heart attack. He was hospitalized Monday after complaining of chest pain. Doctors later determined²⁷ the heart attack was mild. Cheney has experienced heart trouble for much of his life including several prior heart attacks and procedures to help keep him healthy.

The chairman of Federal Reserve says it will be a while before interest rates go up again. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is telling a House panel low rates are necessary to help the US economy recover from the devastating²⁸ recession. In testimony²⁹ today, Bernanke said the number of people who don’t have jobs or are losing their homes will take some time to return to normal. The Fed sets certain interest rates and these affect other rates, such as for mortgages and for car loans.

I’m Korva Coleman, NPR News in Washington.