NPR 2009-10-06

President Obama made another pitch for his health care overhaul 1 plan today, this time to a group of doctors. Speaking to physicians in the White House Rose Garden, the president said that no one has more credibility with the American people on this issue than you do. And he urged those doctors who support healthcare initiative to make their voices heard.

 "If you want to speak out strongly on behalf of the things you care about and what you see each and every day as you are serving patients all across the country, I'm confident we're going to get our health reform passed this year."

 The event gave the White House an additional chance to frame the debate over healthcare as the Senate Committee prepares to approve a health care bill this week. One hundred and fifty supportive doctors representing all 50 states were arrayed just outside the West Wing, all of whom were wearing their white medical coats.

 Vaccinations 2 against the new H1N1 swine flu are going out to the public beginning today. NPR's Joanne Silberner has more.

 the vaccinations are being distributed by state health agencies. Earlier this week, it will all be the nasal spray variety intended for people between the ages of 2 and 49 years old. Indiana and Tennessee are among the first to get their programs rolling. In Indiana in Marion County, the first lots are going to healthcare providers and emergency management workers. In Tennessee, healthcare workers at Lebanon Medical Century in Memphis and from local health departments are all getting vaccinated 3. Federal health officials have asked states to focus on getting the vaccine 4 to health workers first. Programs for the general public are expected to start as more vaccines 5 become available in the next several weeks. The injectable form of the vaccine with no opt 6 for age limit is expected to be available later this week. Joanne Silberner, NPR News.

 Indonesia has called off the search for missing persons five days after a massive earthquake destroyed scores of buildings, hotels, malls and schools. From western Sumatra's valley Doualy Xaykaothao reports.

 The government reopened schools today, but even as school children dressed in their uniforms walked the roads many didn't get back to their courses instead coping with what’s left in their homes and in some cases what’s left at their schools. Electricity is back in parts of Padang city but areas farther out were still without power or running water. In the village of Dourine Dang more than an hour north of the city, 27 year old Fetri Antii who only has one name described her situation. She said all the families in this location have been affected 7 by this tragedy so no one expects much help from their neighbors but outside help she said is welcome. For NPR News, I'm Doualy Xaykaothao in Padang City Sumatra.

 On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 112 points, ending the session at 9599; the NASDAQ gained 20 points today.

 This is NPR.

 The United Nations says even though it plans to temporarily close its offices in Pakistan, the agency will continue to provide humanitarian 8 relief to Pakistani refugees. The announcement of the closure follows a suicide bomb attack that killed five people at the UN Food Agency's Pakistan headquarters. The Taliban is about to carry out new assaults in Pakistan. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said the attack was unjustifiable and a heinous 9 crime. Militants 10 have carried out a number of attacks in Pakistan in recent years, many targeting foreigners.

 Monday night football features Quarterback Brett Favre and Minnesota Vikings against Favre's former team the Green Bay Packers. Patty Murray with Wisconsin Public Radio has more.

 Green Bay Packer fans are facing a quandary 11: who to root for in tonight’s Monday night football game? Will it be the team or former Packer legend Brett Favre now wears a purple Minnesota jersey 12? Favre was the Packer start quarterback who led the team to 1997 Super Bowl victory. He stayed for 16 seasons before the drama began last year. That's when the team released him and he came out of retirement 13 to play for the New York Jets. In this year's pre-season he agreed to play for Green Bay's long time rival the Minnesota Vikings. Tonight's game is the first match up between Favre and his former teammates. It'll be played in Minneapolis. For NPR News, I'm Patty Murray in Green Bay.

 Luxury handbag maker 14 Coach is going after Target for bags it says too closely resembles its own and asking the discount retailer 15 to stop selling the bags and also seeking undetermined damages. In a filing in US District Court in Manhattan New York based Coach says the bags in question resemble the company's Ergo bags launched in 2008 and its Signature Patchwork 16 bags.