NPR Topics: U.S. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1003&ft=1&f=1003 NPR coverage of national news, U.S. politics, elections, business, arts, culture, health and science, and technology. Subscribe to the NPR Nation RSS feed. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:43:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif U.S. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1003&ft=1&f=1003 3 Airlines Fined In Minnesota Tarmac Stranding The Department of Transportation levies $175,000 in fines against three airlines for their role in the stranding of passengers overnight in a plane at Rochester, Minn., in August even though it was only 50 yards from a terminal. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:43:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120768652&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120768652&ft=1&f=1003 The Department of Transportation levies $175,000 in fines against three airlines for their role in the stranding of passengers overnight in a plane at Rochester, Minn., in August even though it was only 50 yards from a terminal.

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]]> Obama: U.S., India 'Natural Allies' In 21st Century The decision to host the Indian prime minister as President Obama's first state visitor was designed as a deliberate signal of India's prominence in Washington. Obama and Manmohan Singh announced a wide range of new agreements in energy and agriculture as they tried to cement a relationship between the two countries. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120712790&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120712790&ft=1&f=1003 The decision to host the Indian prime minister as President Obama's first state visitor was designed as a deliberate signal of India's prominence in Washington. Obama and Manmohan Singh announced a wide range of new agreements in energy and agriculture as they tried to cement a relationship between the two countries.

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]]> Findings On Census Worker's Death To Be Released A news conference is planned for 2 p.m. EST. to release findings from an investigation into the September death of Bill Sparkman, found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest. Investigators haven't yet announced whether it was a homicide, suicide or accident. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120763706&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120763706&ft=1&f=1003 A news conference is planned for 2 p.m. EST. to release findings from an investigation into the September death of Bill Sparkman, found hanging from a tree with the word "fed" scrawled on his chest. Investigators haven't yet announced whether it was a homicide, suicide or accident.

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]]> Missing-Somali Case Gives Recruitment Clues To FBI Documents unsealed Monday in a Minnesota investigation allege a broad and effective recruitment campaign to persuade Somali-Americans to join an Islamist insurgency in Somalia. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:14:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120757628&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120757628&ft=1&f=1003 Documents unsealed Monday in a Minnesota investigation allege a broad and effective recruitment campaign to persuade Somali-Americans to join an Islamist insurgency in Somalia.

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]]> To Pass, Health Bill May Have To Ditch Public Option It will be another week before senators begin floor debate on the Democrats' health care overhaul bill, but many in Washington are already predicting the demise of its current provision for a modest government-run insurance program. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:48:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120734345&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120734345&ft=1&f=1003 It will be another week before senators begin floor debate on the Democrats' health care overhaul bill, but many in Washington are already predicting the demise of its current provision for a modest government-run insurance program.

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]]> HP's Profits Up 14 Percent Despite Sales Drop Hewlett-Packard's profits jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter. HP says profits were up primarily due to aggressive cost-cutting and better results from its technology services division. That helped balance deep declines in the high tech firm's other major businesses. Sales of personal computers, servers, software and printers all dropped from a year ago. HP's overall revenue fell 8 percent. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738570&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738570&ft=1&f=1003 Hewlett-Packard's profits jumped 14 percent in the latest quarter. HP says profits were up primarily due to aggressive cost-cutting and better results from its technology services division. That helped balance deep declines in the high tech firm's other major businesses. Sales of personal computers, servers, software and printers all dropped from a year ago. HP's overall revenue fell 8 percent.

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]]> Obama's Afghan Strategy To Be Announced Soon President Obama and his top military and national security advisers gathered once again at the White House Monday night. The subject was troop levels and strategies for the war in Afghanistan, and there was also the question of how to deal with neighboring Pakistan. Sources say plans are underway for a possible announcement in a prime-time speech by the president next week. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738578&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738578&ft=1&f=1003 President Obama and his top military and national security advisers gathered once again at the White House Monday night. The subject was troop levels and strategies for the war in Afghanistan, and there was also the question of how to deal with neighboring Pakistan. Sources say plans are underway for a possible announcement in a prime-time speech by the president next week.

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]]> FBI Charges 8 In Missing Somalis Probe Terrorism charges were filed in Minneapolis against eight Minnesota men. They are thought to have recruited more than two dozen young Somali-Americans for a terrorist organization in Somalia called al-Shabab. Monday was the first time the FBI provided some detail on the breadth of its investigation. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738582&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738582&ft=1&f=1003 Terrorism charges were filed in Minneapolis against eight Minnesota men. They are thought to have recruited more than two dozen young Somali-Americans for a terrorist organization in Somalia called al-Shabab. Monday was the first time the FBI provided some detail on the breadth of its investigation.

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]]> New York Toughens Penalties In New DWI Law New York state has a tough new law on drunk driving that includes serious jail time for people convicted of driving drunk with a passenger under the age of 15. If a child is injured, the driver could get up to 15 years in prison, and if a child is killed, that penalty rises to 25 years. The law is aimed at catching parents and other relatives who get behind the wheel of the family car when they've had one too many. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738586&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738586&ft=1&f=1003 New York state has a tough new law on drunk driving that includes serious jail time for people convicted of driving drunk with a passenger under the age of 15. If a child is injured, the driver could get up to 15 years in prison, and if a child is killed, that penalty rises to 25 years. The law is aimed at catching parents and other relatives who get behind the wheel of the family car when they've had one too many.

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]]> N.C. Ophthalmologist Helps Train Iraqi, Afghan Doctors Lt. Col. Mike Brennan retired from the Army more than two decades ago. He settled his family into a quiet North Carolina community where he built a successful ophthalmology practice. But one phone call from a friend encouraged him to go to Iraq. Brennan will go to Afghanistan later this month. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738590&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738590&ft=1&f=1003 Lt. Col. Mike Brennan retired from the Army more than two decades ago. He settled his family into a quiet North Carolina community where he built a successful ophthalmology practice. But one phone call from a friend encouraged him to go to Iraq. Brennan will go to Afghanistan later this month.

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]]> Cell Phones Could Start Cutting Into GPS Market As millions of Americans plan for long drives to Thanksgiving dinner, many will use GPS devices to guide the way. But analysts say GPS-enabled cell phones, now with bigger screens and better speakers, are going to cut into the sales of stand-alone devices. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738594&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738594&ft=1&f=1003 As millions of Americans plan for long drives to Thanksgiving dinner, many will use GPS devices to guide the way. But analysts say GPS-enabled cell phones, now with bigger screens and better speakers, are going to cut into the sales of stand-alone devices.

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]]> Obama Honors India's Singh With State Visit The White House hosts India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the first formal state visit of Barack Obama's presidency. There are talks between the two leaders Tuesday, and later a state dinner. India is becoming a major player in global affairs — one that the U.S. needs on its side when it comes to issues like climate change, trade and countering extremism in South Asia. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:09:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738610&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738610&ft=1&f=1003 The White House hosts India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the first formal state visit of Barack Obama's presidency. There are talks between the two leaders Tuesday, and later a state dinner. India is becoming a major player in global affairs — one that the U.S. needs on its side when it comes to issues like climate change, trade and countering extremism in South Asia.

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]]> Critics Say Roads Safer, But Danger Still Lurks Better-designed highways played a role in reducing road fatalities to a 40-year low last year. But safety advocates say the road is still a dangerous place, especially once drivers leave the Interstate Highway System. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:20:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120719127&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120719127&ft=1&f=1003 Better-designed highways played a role in reducing road fatalities to a 40-year low last year. But safety advocates say the road is still a dangerous place, especially once drivers leave the Interstate Highway System.

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]]> Children's Furniture Store Struggles To Survive Sales at That's My Room in Salt Lake City have slowed to less than $5,000 a month. Despite making cutbacks, the owners say, they haven't taken a paycheck since the store opened a year and a half ago — right when the recession hit. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725739&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120725739&ft=1&f=1003 Sales at That's My Room in Salt Lake City have slowed to less than $5,000 a month. Despite making cutbacks, the owners say, they haven't taken a paycheck since the store opened a year and a half ago — right when the recession hit.

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]]> 'Diverging Diamond' Traffic Flow: Way Of The Future? The "diverging diamond" highway interchange is being put to the test in Missouri. Fans of the new design say it improves traffic flow by eliminating problematic left turns. There's just one catch: It briefly sends cars over to the left side of the road. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120403340&ft=1&f=1003 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120403340&ft=1&f=1003 The "diverging diamond" highway interchange is being put to the test in Missouri. Fans of the new design say it improves traffic flow by eliminating problematic left turns. There's just one catch: It briefly sends cars over to the left side of the road.

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