NPR 2012-05-13

 President Barack Obama is honoring the nation’s top police officers. At Rose Garden ceremony at the White House, the President praised the winners of a National Police Association Award for officers who showed courage and in the line of duty.

"We will be forever in debt to those who wear the badge, to men and women with deep sense of duty and willingness to serve and sacrifice on our behalf.”
He also says they represent the quite courage found in officers across the nation.
 
 
Mitt 1 Romney discussed his own family and offered a defense 2 of Christianity in a commencement speech at Liberty University in Virginia. He said there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian 3 conscience and action. The presumptive Republican presidential candidate barely mentioned his Mormon faith. * sustained applause when he said marriage is relationship between one man and one woman.
 
 
A group of veteran civil rights leaders have written an open letter, embracing President Obama’s support for same sex marriage. But NPR’s Alison Keyes tells us the issue remains 4 divisive for the black community and the rest of the nation.
The letter signed by NAACP chairman Emeritus(名誉退休者) Julian Bond and civil rights icon 5 Reverend Joseph Lowery among others says they concur(同意) with Mr. Obama’s view because ‘we can’t fight to gain right for some and not for all.’ But some African American faith leaders, such as Reverend Michael Waters of Dallas, Texas, the median in the black community believe as he does that the same sex marriage undermines marriage. Waters told NPR’s Tell Me More, “I do not find President Obama’s stance(立场) on marriage to be same sex marriage to be compatible with Christian teaching, tradition and authority.” A new gallop 6 poll finds that 39% of Americans say the President’s support of same sex marriage will affect their votes. Alison Keyes, NPR news, Washington.
 
 
Turkey’s Foreign Minister says two journalists captured in * Syria for ten months had been released by Damascus. NPR’s Peter Kenyon reports from Istanbul that Iran negotiated the pairs’ release.
The two detained journalist were flown to Tehran according to Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, adding that Ankara is sending a plane to bring them back to Turkey. The reporter and photographer went missing in northern Italy province in early March. And their families were not permitted to speak with them until last week. Turkey relied on Tehran’s help to win the journalist freedom because Ankara’s own relations with Syria have soured. Since Turkey condemned 7 the Syrian regime’s crackdown undecent that began more a year ago. Iran remains Syria’s most important ally in the region. Peter Kenyon, NRP news, Istanbul.
 
 
A former Rome police officer has been sentenced to two years in prison for inappropriately touching 8 a 17 year old student. Marcus McReynolds pleaded guilty Friday the charges are making false statements violating his oath of office and misdemeanor sexual battery. McReynolds is fired from the department. He must undergo counseling and pay a $3,000 fine.
 
 
This is NPR news.
 
 
Boston University is mourning the deaths of three of its students. The school will hold a candle light visual this evening for the students, they were killed in New Zealand, when their minivan crashed during a weekend trip. At least five other students from the university were injured in the accident early Saturday, including one who is in critical condition.
 
 
Facebook is updating its privacy policy just days before its initial public offering. As NPR’s Steve Hen reports the move will allow Facebook * to use information that connects about its 900 million users to target ads across the internet.
Facebook at Friday was updating its privacy policy in response to an investigation 9 by the Irish Data Protection Authority last year. Facebook’s European headquarters are based in Ireland. And officials there had asked Facebook to become more transparent 10. But the changes will get Facebook more freedom to use information that connects about its users to target and sell ads on other websites, something the social network hasn’t done before. The company also gives itself more * room how long it will store the data it collects, previously 11 it said it would only keep information for only 180 days, now it will keep data about its users for ‘as long as necessary’. Steve Hen, NPR news, Silicon 12 Valley.
 
 
Attacks carried out by Afghan police have killed three NATO troops in Afghanistan today while a fourth died of nine battle related injuries. All four members the US led military coalition 13 died in Southern Afghanistan where much of the fighting has been concentrated. NATO provide no other details about the death. So far this month, 18 NATO service members have been killed in Afghanistan.