NPR 2011-07-14

A fourth round of debt talks resume[s] this hour at the White House, with the administration saying it's confident, one way or another, lawmakers will vote to raise the nation's debt ceiling before an August 2nd deadline. But as NPR's Scott Horsley reports, President Obama is holding out for more.

"The Obama administration welcomed the so-called backup plan from Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell to raise the debt limit, calling it an acknowledgment that the government's bills must be paid. The White House spokesman Jay Carney says President Obama still wants to strike a compromise with Republicans to reduce the federal deficit 1."

"We remain confident that we will get an agreement that reduces spending, that cuts the deficit. What is at issue here is how significant an agreement, and he is absolutely confident that it is the right position to take to push this process forward to get the biggest possible deal."

Mr. Obama says that deal should also include increased tax revenue which Republicans call a "nonstarter." Scott Horsley, NPR News, the White House.

The heart of India's financial capital Mumbai is reeling from a series of bombings today. Casualty figures have gone up, at least 20 dead and more than 100 people wounded. India's home minister is warning people against reprisal 2 attacks.

"The entire city of Mumbai has been put on high alert. I would appeal to the people of Mumbai and people all over the country to remain calm and maintain peace."

The US offered to help India find those responsible.

President Obama's reelection campaign says it raised more than 86 million dollars over the spring. NPR's Peter Overby says that amount is more than double the total raise so far by all the Republican presidential hopefuls.

The Obama campaign puts the emphasis on its small donors 3. Here's campaign manager Jim Messina in a video emailed to supporters early this morning."

"Five hundred and fifty-two thousand four hundred and sixty-two people made a donation to this campaign in the first three months. More grassroots support at this point in a process than any campaign in political history."

He said the average contribution was 69 dollars. On the other hand, about 45% of the money was raised at big events for the Democratic National Committee. The DNC's contribution limit is more than seven times higher than the 5,000-dollar maximum at the Obama campaign committee. Peter Overby, NPR News, Washington.

"It's Alex Morgan. Can she finish this one? Ah, suspending goal. Alex Morgan."

As heard on ESPN, that last goal by US woman soccer player Alex Morgan solidified 4 the US's 3-1 defeat of France and won them a ticket to the World Cup finals. The first two goals came from Lauren Cheney and Abby Wambach. The US women will head to the finals on Sunday and face either Sweden or Japan. That game is under way.

Before the close on Wall Street, the Dow was up 45 points at 12,492.

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The trial of baseball pitching star Roger Clemens opened today, with a prosecutor 5 telling the jury that the government would prove with physical evidence that Clemens was injected with steroids and human growth hormone 6. But as NPR's Nina Totenberg reports, Clemens' lawyer said a trainer had manufactured the evidence.

Clemens is charged with lying to Congress when he denied under oath that he used steroids and human growth hormone. Prosecutor Steven Durham said that Clemens' trainer Brian McNamee had produced needles and cotton balls that contain Clemens' DNA 7, as well as steroids and HGH. The prosecutor said McNamee would testify that he repeatedly injected Clemens with the illegal substances. But Clemens' lawyer Rusty 8 Hardin suggested that McNamee had manufactured the evidence in order to escape prosecution 9 himself. In this case, said Clemens' lawyer, "All roads lead to Brian McNamee." And to put it delicately, he is a liar 10. Nina Totenberg, NPR News, Washington.

Tycoon 11 Rupert Murdoch won't be taking over BSkyB anytime soon. He withdrew (withdraw口误) his bid today as his newspapers come under fire for alleged 12 phone hacking 13 exposing controversial relationships between British politicians, members of the media and police. Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed a senior judge to lead an investigation 14 into the scandal which also includes allegations of police bribery 15.

At last check on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 45 points at 12,492 before the close; NASDAQ had gained nine points; it's at 2,797; S&P 500 up four at 1,318.

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News, Washington.