NPR Topics: News http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1001&ft=1&f=1001 NPR news, audio, and news podcasts. Coverage of breaking stories, national and world news, politics, business, science, technology, and extended coverage of major national and world events. Copyright 2010 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif News http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1001&ft=1&f=1001 White House Plays Defense On National Security The Obama administration has launched an aggressive PR campaign to challenge the notion that it's soft on terrorism. In TV interviews and op-ed columns, administration officials are fighting back against a familiar line of Republican attack that's taken on new strength in recent weeks. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123545210&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123545210&ft=1&f=1001 The Obama administration has launched an aggressive PR campaign to challenge the notion that it's soft on terrorism. In TV interviews and op-ed columns, administration officials are fighting back against a familiar line of Republican attack that's taken on new strength in recent weeks.

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]]> Asperger's Officially Placed Inside Autism Spectrum Researchers have referred to Asperger's as high-functioning autism for years, but it's never been listed officially as a form of autism by the American Psychiatric Association. But an updated edition of a mental health disorder guide now says Asperger's really is a form of autism — and some of those with Asperger's are objecting. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123527833&ft=1&f=1001 Researchers have referred to Asperger's as high-functioning autism for years, but it's never been listed officially as a form of autism by the American Psychiatric Association. But an updated edition of a mental health disorder guide now says Asperger's really is a form of autism — and some of those with Asperger's are objecting.

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]]> Figure Skating: The Olympics' Broken Sport Not long ago, figure skating was beset by spats among skaters and alleged corruption among judges. A new scoring system was meant to solve those problems. But instead, the complex ratings bewilder fans — and may be taking the soul out of the sport. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123529251&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123529251&ft=1&f=1001 Not long ago, figure skating was beset by spats among skaters and alleged corruption among judges. A new scoring system was meant to solve those problems. But instead, the complex ratings bewilder fans — and may be taking the soul out of the sport.

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]]> Familiar Face Returns To Iraqi Politics: Saddam Ahead of national elections in March, residents of Anbar province say they're disillusioned with the current government and look back on the late Saddam Hussein with nostalgia. For all of his shortcomings, they say Saddam was a leader who inspired fear and respect. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123533923&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123533923&ft=1&f=1001 Ahead of national elections in March, residents of Anbar province say they're disillusioned with the current government and look back on the late Saddam Hussein with nostalgia. For all of his shortcomings, they say Saddam was a leader who inspired fear and respect.

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]]> New Generation Of Sites Refine Online Job Search New job search sites use improved search technology to pair job seekers with opportunities that match their skills and goals. But perfected online tools can only do so much in the face of a dismal job market. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123534055&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123534055&ft=1&f=1001 New job search sites use improved search technology to pair job seekers with opportunities that match their skills and goals. But perfected online tools can only do so much in the face of a dismal job market.

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]]> Mexico Suffers As U.S. Economy Struggles The lagging U.S. economy continues to take its toll on Mexican migrant workers, who are sending less money home — 16 percent less in 2009. The decrease in remittances is affecting the economies of many Mexican states, especially rural areas. In Hidalgo, abandoned houses and half-finished projects reflect the downturn. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123373874&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123373874&ft=1&f=1001 The lagging U.S. economy continues to take its toll on Mexican migrant workers, who are sending less money home — 16 percent less in 2009. The decrease in remittances is affecting the economies of many Mexican states, especially rural areas. In Hidalgo, abandoned houses and half-finished projects reflect the downturn.

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]]> $7.2 Billion For Broadband Is Largely Unallocated The stimulus package includes $7.2 billion to extend broadband Internet access to parts of the country where it's not widely available. The government has given out just a fraction of that money so far — and some applicants for the funding say major telecom companies are trying to get in the way. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123409454&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123409454&ft=1&f=1001 The stimulus package includes $7.2 billion to extend broadband Internet access to parts of the country where it's not widely available. The government has given out just a fraction of that money so far — and some applicants for the funding say major telecom companies are trying to get in the way.

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]]> Vancouver Tries To Polish 'Skid Road' For Olympics The Winter Olympics tends to be heavy on glitz and fanfare, but this year much of the pageantry is taking place unusually close to one of the bleakest neighborhoods in North America. Vancouver's "Skid Road" is just a few blocks from the site of the opening ceremony. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123536850&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123536850&ft=1&f=1001 The Winter Olympics tends to be heavy on glitz and fanfare, but this year much of the pageantry is taking place unusually close to one of the bleakest neighborhoods in North America. Vancouver's "Skid Road" is just a few blocks from the site of the opening ceremony.

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]]> Binge Eating Officially Defined As A Mental Disorder The American Psychiatric Association is releasing a new draft of its book of mental disorders Wednesday, and one of the changes is to recognize binge eating as a disorder. Proponents say this could stimulate more research and help further develop treatments. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:42:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123539741&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123539741&ft=1&f=1001 The American Psychiatric Association is releasing a new draft of its book of mental disorders Wednesday, and one of the changes is to recognize binge eating as a disorder. Proponents say this could stimulate more research and help further develop treatments.

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]]> 'Cutting' Elevated From Symptom To Mental Disorder People who intentionally injure their skin often say it helps relieve tension. The behavior is usually not life-threatening, but it has frequently been confused with a suicide attempt. To avoid potentially harmful misdiagnoses and treatments, the new draft of the book of mental disorders categorizes the behavior as a disorder. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:13:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123529829&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123529829&ft=1&f=1001 People who intentionally injure their skin often say it helps relieve tension. The behavior is usually not life-threatening, but it has frequently been confused with a suicide attempt. To avoid potentially harmful misdiagnoses and treatments, the new draft of the book of mental disorders categorizes the behavior as a disorder.

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]]> Children Labeled 'Bipolar' May Get A New Diagnosis Since the mid-1990s, the number of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder has increased a staggering 4,000 percent. But some psychiatrists have long argued the label has created a flood of misdiagnosis. An industry working group proposes what it says is a better definition of what these children, torn apart by their own anger, are going through. Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123544191&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123544191&ft=1&f=1001 Since the mid-1990s, the number of children diagnosed with bipolar disorder has increased a staggering 4,000 percent. But some psychiatrists have long argued the label has created a flood of misdiagnosis. An industry working group proposes what it says is a better definition of what these children, torn apart by their own anger, are going through.

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]]> Haiti Raises Earthquake's Death Toll To 230,000 Haiti's government has increased the death toll for the Jan. 12 earthquake to 230,000 from 212,000 and says more bodies remain uncounted. The new figure gives the quake approximately the same death toll as the 2004 Asian tsunami. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:56:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123542852&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123542852&ft=1&f=1001 Haiti's government has increased the death toll for the Jan. 12 earthquake to 230,000 from 212,000 and says more bodies remain uncounted. The new figure gives the quake approximately the same death toll as the 2004 Asian tsunami.

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]]> New Gmail Channel Pits Google Against Facebook Google opened a new social hub in its e-mail service, leaving little doubt that the Internet search leader is girding for a face-off with Facebook. The new Gmail channel, called Google Buzz, includes many of the features that have turned Facebook into the Web's top spot for fraternizing with friends and family. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:42:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123542058&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123542058&ft=1&f=1001 Google opened a new social hub in its e-mail service, leaving little doubt that the Internet search leader is girding for a face-off with Facebook. The new Gmail channel, called Google Buzz, includes many of the features that have turned Facebook into the Web's top spot for fraternizing with friends and family.

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]]> Senate Republicans Block Obama Labor Board Pick Senate Republicans have succeeded in blocking President Obama's choice of a union lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board. The 52-33 vote to move forward with the nomination of Craig Becker fell short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP filibuster. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 17:27:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123541182&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123541182&ft=1&f=1001 Senate Republicans have succeeded in blocking President Obama's choice of a union lawyer for the National Labor Relations Board. The 52-33 vote to move forward with the nomination of Craig Becker fell short of the 60 needed to overcome a GOP filibuster.

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]]> Obama: U.S. Preparing 'Significant' Sanctions On Iran The United States is developing a "significant regime of sanctions" after Iran apparently spurned an offer to negotiate over its suspect nuclear program, President Obama said. Obama said work to broaden economic sanctions applied by the U.N. Security Council is moving along quickly, but he gave no specific timeline. Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:24:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123536608&ft=1&f=1001 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123536608&ft=1&f=1001 The United States is developing a "significant regime of sanctions" after Iran apparently spurned an offer to negotiate over its suspect nuclear program, President Obama said. Obama said work to broaden economic sanctions applied by the U.N. Security Council is moving along quickly, but he gave no specific timeline.

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