NPR 2011-07-25

Police are pouring over a 1,500-page manifesto 1 by the man suspected in the terrorist attacks on Norway's government headquarters and at an island retreat for youths. He writes of his deepening mistrust for Muslims and the left-wing politicians he blamed for making Europe multicultural 2. The death toll 3 from Friday's attacks is now up to 93. Terri Schultz reports from Oslo the nation is in mourning.

At a memorial service at Oslo Cathedral, survivors 4 of the Utoya island massacre 5 were in tears. The king and queen were too, and loud songs were heard throughout the chamber 6. Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg urged his country to stay strong, but struggle to keep his composure when talking about some of the victims he knew. Stoltenberg recalled a woman named Monica from his own summers at Utoya. She worked there for two decades, and now she was dead after the shooting rampage on Friday. The outside of the cathedral is now a makeshift shrine 7 to the victims with flowers, candles and notes from a heartbroken nation. One Norwegian flag covered with flowers bears the name Monica. From NPR News, I'm Terri Schultz in Oslo.

Six people are dead after a shooting last night at a roller rink in Grand Prairie, Texas. The gunman killed himself after shooting five others. Detective John Brimmer says the tragedy stands from a dispute between the estranged 8 parents of an 11-year-old boy celebrating his birthday.

"They got into a brief marital 9 dispute there during the party. He was armed with a pistol, pulled the pistol out after telling the children in the major area to get out of there and then started shooting."

Again detective John Brimmer.

Hundreds of same-sex couples in New York state are standing 10 in line, waiting to wed 11 now that the state's new law's in effect. A couple from Buffalo 12 is the first to exchange vows 13 as Eileen Buckley from member station WBFO in Buffalo reports.

For more than a decade, Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd fought passionately 14 to legalize gay marriage. Lambert says they've been seeking to gain the same legal rights married couples share.

"I no longer have to worry that as Cheryle goes into hospital, I have to stand there at one of the local hospitals, like I did, screaming at the woman, but I have medical proxy 15. And, and so now we don't have to go through any of that anymore. I go to the hospital. This is my wife Cheryle."

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms are vowing 16 a multi-year fight to push for a constitutional amendment 17 to ban gay marriage. For NPR News, I'm Eileen Buckley in Buffalo.

In an attempt to beat the opening of Asian markets this afternoon, lawmakers are still working on a plan to raise the borrowing limit. White House Chief of Staff William Daley says the president will veto any plan that fails to extend the nation's borrowing power into 2013. House Speaker John Boehner has scheduled a conference call with congressional Republicans within the hour to discuss the framework of a deal.

This is NPR News.

A North Korean minister will be visiting the US this week to discuss the possible resumption of international talks on ending Pyongyang's nuclear programs. The six-nation talks broke off in 2008. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton extended the invitation after a crucial meeting Friday between negotiators from both North and South Korea.

Australian cyclist Cadel Evans is the winner of the Tour de France. Eleanor Beardsley reports the victory was a longtime coming for the 32-year-old formal world champion.

Evans has been catapulted from cycling's man of near-misses to one of the sports stars. After two runner-up finishes and several times in top 10, Evans finally stood at the top of the podium today on the Champs-Elysees. Wrapped in the Australian flag, he had tears in his eyes. Evans already has a high profile in his native Australia, where the country's prime minister tweeted her support for him in the final stage today. Evans is the first Australian and the oldest rider since World War II to win the Tour. The Schleck brothers Andy and Frank from Luxemburg finished second and third. Tour favorite Alberto Contador came in fifth. For NPR News, I'm Eleanor Beardsley in Paris.

There may not be a vote yet, but the NFL Players Association's executive committee is planning to meet in Washington tomorrow. An insider tells the Associated Press a vote could happen on the owner-approved proposal to end the lockout, but they're not making any commitments.

Three baseball heavyweights are the newest members of baseball's Hall of Fame. Bert Blyleven, a pitcher 18 who ranks fifth on the all-star strikeout list; Pat Gillick, who spent 27 years as a general manager for four big league teams; and Roberto Alomar, a 12-time All-Star second baseman, were all inducted today in Cooperstown.

I'm Nancy Lyons, NPR News, Washington.