NPR 2012-02-14

 Republican critics are criticizing President Obama's 2013 budget plan which seeks four trillion dollars in deficit 1 reduction in the next decade. It calls for government spending cuts which the GOP supports but it also seeks an end to tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans, and Republicans say any move to increase taxes will further slow economic recovery. The Pentagon budget released today would trim military spending by nearly half a trillion dollars by 2017. The military budget envisions significant downsizing for the Army and the Marines as the war in Afghanistan winds down. NPR's Larry Abramson reports, the Defense 2 Department says it's trying to protect active duty service members from some of the pain of tighter spending limits.

 
In 2013, the armed forces would spend five billion dollars, less than they currently do. Some of those savings 4 would come from retiring old aircraft and naval 5 vessels 6. The US military would reduce its troop strength by 5.5% over the next five years according to the Pentagon budget. At the same time, the Pentagon says it will spend more money in some areas so it can shift its focus to the Pacific and the Middle East. Active duty military would receive a pay raise of 1.7% next year, but pay increases in future years may be limited. The Pentagon hopes to cut health care cost by charging more fees to retirees. Active duty military will not pay more for health care. Larry Abramson, NPR News.
 
The Greek parliament is signing off on more austerity measures that would help the country secure an international bailout. The decision is spurring market gains. At last check on Wall Street, the Dow was up 70 points at 12,871, and NASDAQ was up 25 points at 2,929, with the S&P 500 gaining nine, it's at 1,352.
 
Lawmakers approved deeper cuts, but outside, protests in Athens turned violent among workers who say they are already struggling to make ends meet.
 
Early voting is underway in Georgia ahead of the Super Tuesday primary. NPR's Kathy Lohr reports, Georgia is one of ten states to hold GOP presidential contests on March 6.
 
Georgia residents were allowed to cast early primary ballots 7 by mail beginning in January. But now they can vote in person at county registration 8 offices across the state. Seventy-six delegates are at stake in Georgia where former Speaker Newt Gingrich is favored to win. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt 9 Romney campaigned in the state last week, and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum has been gaining momentum 10. Ohio has the second largest number of delegates at stake on Super Tuesday, and Gingrich campaigned there last week, but he's expected to do much better in the southern states, including Georgia, Tennessee and Oklahoma, where there are more conservative GOP voters. Kathy Lohr, NPR News, Atlanta.
 
US stocks up with the Dow gaining 71 points.
 
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European regulators are green-lighting Google's acquisition of Motorola Mobility 11. The 12.5-billion-dollar deal could help Google advance its Android operation system for mobile devices.
 
Despite the drug war raging in Mexico, officials there are saying that a record number of tourists are still visiting the country. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports that the number of foreign visitors to Mexico hit a new high last year.
 
According to the latest statistics from the country's secretary of tourism, more than 22 million people traveled to Mexico in 2011, breaking the previous record set in 2008. The global economic downturn and raging drug violence battered 12 what is a vital part of Mexico's economy. Historically, the industry has relied heavily on North Americans coming to sun themselves on the beaches of Cancun, Acapulco and Playa del Carmen, but the number of US visitors to Mexico continues to fall. The growth in Mexico's tourist industry in 2011 came from emerging global economies. The number of people arriving here from Brazil, Russia and China all jumped significantly. Jason Beaubien, NPR News, Mexico City.
 
A 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit central and Pacific coastal 13 areas of Costa Rica. There were no immediate 14 reports of injuries or damage.
 
A US envoy 15 reportedly plans to hold talks with North Korea on its nuclear program during a trip to Beijing next week. The Associated Press, citing the State Department, says Glyn Davis plans to meet with First Vice 3 Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan. The meeting would be the first of its kind since the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il in December.
 
I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.