NPR 2009-02-12

Senators have announced a deal on a 789-billion-dollar economic stimulus 1 bill, though House and Senate negotiators delayed the planned meeting to approve the measure. Senate Majority Leader Harry 2 Reid called the bill one that creates more jobs than the original Senate bill and costs less than the original House bill and he said it preserves tax cuts. "This bill creates 3.5 million jobs. More than one-third of this bill is dedicated 3 to providing tax relief for middle-class families, cutting taxes for 95% of American workers." Voting on the reconciled bill could take place as early as tomorrow with a possible signing of the measure by President Barack Obama within days. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell did say today, Senate Republicans most of whom opposed the stimulus bill are not planning to use procedural moves to delay passage of the measure.

The owner of the Georgia-based peanut processor linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak took the Fifth before members of the Congressional Committee today. Stewart Parnell, president of Peanut Corp. of America repeatedly invoked 4 his right not to incriminate himself. The refusal to testify comes amid revelations Parnell allegedly urged workers to ship tainted 5 peanut products. The outbreak has been led to at least nine deaths and sickened more than 600 people.

Iraqi police say a car bomb attack has killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 30 others in western Baghdad. NPR's Corey Flintoff reports from the Iraqi capital.

Police and US military sources disagree on the number of people who were killed and hurt in the bombing. The number has ranged from 8 to 16 dead. But they do agree that the attack was designed to cause the maximum amount of carnage. Two cars laden 6 with explosives were parked near the bus station then detonated among the crowds of travelers. The bombing was the deadliest of several attacks in the city today. Police say a roadside bomb killed one Shiite pilgrim and injured six others as they walked through Baghdad on their way to the holy city of Karbala to take part in a religious festival. Gunmen also assassinated 7 an official of Iraq's Electricity Ministry 8 at his home in eastern Baghdad. Corey Flintoff, NPR News, Baghdad.

In Israel, inconclusive election results have sparked political jockeying. Linda Gradstein reports.

Both Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni of Kadima and former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud are trying to put together a majority coalition 9 of 62 seats in the 120-seat parliament. Both are according far-right party Yisrael Beitenu headed by Russian-born Avigdor Lieberman which won 15 seats. Livni today told Lieberman that the people had made their choice for the next prime minister and she would help Liebermen advance his agenda. They agreed to hold further talks. Kadima's narrow lead makes it uncertain whether Livni will be able to form a government. After consultations 10 with all of the parties, President Shimon Peres will ask either Livni or Netanyahu to try to form the government probably next week. For NPR News, I'm Linda Gradstein in Jerusalem.

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A powerful earthquake was reported to have struck off the coast of Indonesia early Thursday triggering initial fears of a tsunami 11. Though it's not clear whether the quake resulted in injuries or deaths. According to the US Geological Survey, the 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck at 1:34 am local time some 195 miles from Manado, the northernmost city on the Sulawesi Island. A number of aftershocks of magnitude 5.0 and above also registered. In December of 2004, a massive quake off the western island of Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed more than 230, 000 people along the Indian Ocean coastline.

Italian diplomats 12 say President Obama and Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi could find themselves side by side at this summer's Group of Eight meeting at Italy. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports from Rome.

As newly elected chairman of the African Union, Gaddafi could represent African leaders on the G8 sidelines. It's a custom that the Summits hold meetings with developing countries. US-Libyan ties were strained for many years over Libyans support for groups Washington considers terrorist. Relations have warmed somewhat: former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited Tripoli; former President George Bush spoke 13 with Gaddafi over the phone and Libya paid into a fund to settle claims by families of Americans killed in the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland. But this will be the first time the Libyan leader known for his occasional flamboyant 14 behavior would meet a US president. While Obama was still a candidate, Gaddafi said he might have an inferiority complex because he is black and might behave worse than whites. But he later hailed his election as a victory for black people. Sylvia Poggioli, NPR News, Rome.