NPR 2011-12-12

 Syrian activists 1 say the army and defected soldiers are clashing in the north and south of the country. NPR’s Peter Kenyon reports observers say more than 60 people have been killed just since Friday.

 
The London-based Syrian Observatory 2 for Human Rights and opposition 3 Local Coordinating 4 Committees say military units engaged with former soldiers now supporting the opposition in the northern Idlib province and near Deraa in the south. Activists have called for a general strike to demand an end to the fighting. The official SANA news agency describes the strike call as provocative 5 and predicted it would be ineffective. Among those killed this weekend, according to activists, was Dr. Ibrahim Othman, who helped found Physicians’ Revolutionary Coordinating Committee. He was reportedly killed near the Turkish border while trying to cross over to safety. Peter Kenyon, NPR News.
 
Negotiators for 194 countries have reached a new climate deal in Durban, South Africa. It extends the Kyoto Protocol 6 for five years and paves the way for all countries to commit to cutting emissions 7 no later than 2020. 
 
Britain’s coalition 8 government is showing signs of cracking at the top. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says he sharply disagrees with Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to oppose changes to the European Union treaty aimed at saving the euro and the eurozone.
 
“I am bitterly disappointed by the outcome of last week’s summit, precisely 9 because I think there is now a real danger that over time United Kingdom will be isolated 10 and marginalized within the European Union.”
 
The EU’s 26 other member nations are expected to agree to amending 11 the treaty that tightens 12 the union’s fiscal 13 unity 14. 
 
Two New York lawmakers have taken note of airline passenger complaints about airport security screenings. NPR’s Allison Keyes reports they are now calling on airports to provide passenger advocates. 
 
The proposal from Senator Charles Schumer and New York State Senator Michael Gianaris comes in the wake of claims from an elderly woman that she was strip searched by transportation security administration officials at JFK International Airport recently. Schumer says while security must be a top priority, flying shouldn’t become a degrading experience. In a posting on its website, the TSA denies that anyone has been strip searched and says it’s establishing an 800 number for passengers with disabilities or medical conditions to call prior to flying to get guidance about screening. The agency also says its officers at JFK are receiving refresher training on how to respectfully screen such passengers. Allison Keyes, NPR News, Washington. 
 
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he’s launching an investigation 15 into allegations of fraud in parliamentary elections held a week ago. Tens of thousands of demonstrators had been demanding a revote, charging the vote was rigged. Medvedev announced the probe on his Facebook page. 
 
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Chinese President Hu Jintao is promising 16 to increase his country’s imports. He says it’ll be a much-needed boost for foreign economies struggling to emerge from the doldrums. Hu estimates China will import $8 trillion worth of goods and services over the next five years. He’s making the vow 17 as many international leaders criticized China’s economic policies for keeping the nation’s currency artificially low, making Chinese exports cheaper. 
 
Members of Congress are responding to reports of bitter in-fighting at the agency that regulates nuclear power plants. As NPR’s Jeff Brady tells us, the conflict comes as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission works on reforms in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima nuclear accident.  
 
The split at the NRC is between Chair Gregory Jazcko appointed by President Obama and four other commissioners 18 at the agency--two Democrats 19 and two Republicans. Jazcko has questioned his colleagues’ commitment to health and safety. They say Jazcko is intimidating 20 senior staff and members of the advisory 21 panel. Senate Majority Leader Harry 22 Reid’s spokesman issued a statement praising Jazcko for his “safety-oriented approach”. Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski issued her own statement, calling Jazcko’s leadership divisive and asking the president to step in to maintain faith of the agency. A Congressional hearing with all five commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday. Jeff Brady, NPR News. 
 
Mexican officials say at least three people are dead in a strong earthquake that shook the ground from Mexican City to Acapulco. The magnitude 6.5 temblor rocked buildings and nerves. But because of its depth, its impact wasn’t as destructive as it might have been. 
 
I’m Barbara Klein, NPR News in Washington.