NPR 2009-08-23

Iraqi workers today use huge cranes to put up concrete walls around the Foreign Ministry 1 and other government buildings targeted in suicide truck bombings that killed nearly 100 people three days ago. The move to reinforce Baghdad institutions is a sharp reversal of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's efforts to remove the barriers to make day-to-day life more normal for Iraqis before the January elections. The bombings have shaken confidence in Iraq's stated ability to take charge of its own security.

The Scottish government has responded to a blistering 2 letter sent by FBI Director Robert Mueller, calling its decision to release the Lockerbie bomber 3 “a mockery of justice”. Larry Miller 4 has more from London.

The Scottish government is unrepentant over its controversial decision to free the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi. Responding to the FBI director's strong comments, a government spokesman said the right decision had been made for the right reasons on the basis of due process and clear evidence. He went on to say that compassionate 5 release is not part of the US justice system but it is part of Scotland's. The spokesman also said the FBI chief should be aware that while many of the victims’ families opposed the decision, many others backed it. For NPR News, I'm Larry Miller in London.

Forecasters have downgraded Hurricane Bill to a Category 1 storm as it approaches the eastern US coastline. But the storm could still bring dangerous rip currents as we hear from NPR's Allison Keyes.

The center of the storm is expected to stay offshore 6 but choppy water and monster waves from the storm are battering 7 part of the east coast as Bill makes its way north. Storm warnings are in effect in parts of Massachusetts and Canada. And New York City closed some beaches because of rough surf. Beach homeowner, Joe Manwani, along North Carolina's outer bank, says the storm isn't causing too much trouble so far. “You certainly wouldn't wanna be swimming in this. But it’s not causing any significant problems as we can see.” But if you do go for a dip in storm tossed waters and get caught in a rip tide, Connie Harvey of the American Red Cross says try not to panic. “The most important thing you can do is swim parallel to the shore until you’re free of the current.” The storm caused flooding when it hit Bermuda earlier but no major damage. Allison Keyes, NPR News. Washington.

President Obama continues to fight for health care overhaul 8 and called the notion of so-called death panels “offensive” while Republicans shift away at his support for revamping health care. Mr. Obama tried to regain 9 control of the debate today and says he still supports a government option. “This alternative would have to operate as any other insurer on the basis of the premiums 10 it collects. And let me repeat, it would just be an option. Those who prefer their private insurers would be under no obligation to shift to a public plan.” The president was speaking in his weekly address. Mr. Obama labels many GOP criticisms as outrageous 11 myths. The president said there is no truth to the claim that illegal immigrants will get health insurance under the overhaul. Republicans say the president's plan is too expensive.

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North Korea and South Korea are talking again. Envoys 12 from the North met with South Korea’s Unification Minister today. The meeting lasted about 80 minutes. It is the first high-level talks between the divided Koreas in nearly two years. The North Korean diplomats 13 are in Seoul attending the funeral of the late South Korean President Kim Dae-Jung, who died on Tuesday. He was 85.

Firefighters in Greece are desperately 14 trying to avert 15 an overnight battle of forest fires about ten miles northeast of the capital Athens. Those fires have already burned out of control for a day, fanned by high winds. And as John Psaropoulos reports, they're only getting worse.

The fire is advancing on several fronts, eating its way through pine forest and shrubland, claiming homes and farmsteads. No fewer than 20 fire drenching 16 aircraft, 78 fire trucks and 260 men are losing this battle. The damage is yet to be tallied 17. Summer camps and homes have been evacuated 18 with many people suffering from smoke inhalation. Even the army has retreated from a base in the area, no match for the seven-force gusts 19. A brown haze 20 has kept half of Athens in the shade all day, an ominous 21 reminder 22 of the approaching flames. But with at least 16 new fires a day across Greece, it is highly doubtful that the authorities can muster 23 any more resources. For NPR's News, I'm John Psaropoulos in Athens.

Pakistani officials are investigating reports that the person who carried out the attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team is the new chief of the Pakistani Taliban. Militants 24 selected a new boss yesterday to succeed Baitullah Mehsud who apparently 25 was killed in a CIA missile strike earlier this month. Reports said the new chief is Hakimullah Mehsud.

I'm Carol Van Dam, NPR News in Washington.