NPR 2010-10-19

The Justice Department is suing Michigan Blue Across Blue Shield for allegedly using practices that drive up health care costs. NPR's Carrie Johnson says it could be the first of many antitrust suits.

Antitrust enforcers at the Justice Department say Blue Across Blue Shield of Michigan includes language in its contracts with health care providers that raise costs for hospitals. Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney says the "most-favored nation" language means that competitors can't negotiate better rates. Blue Cross denies the allegations. The insurance company says its netotiated discounts helped millions of people in Michigan. Varney says the Justice Department is prepared to challenge other companies in the US that may be violating antitrust laws. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.

Authorities in Carlsbad, California are investigating a crash involving former NFL linebacker Junior Seau. The 12-time Pro 1 Bowler 2 is hospitalized with minor 3 injuries after his SUV went off a cliff, plunging 4 30 feet to a beach. Seau had just been released from jail after a domestic violence arrest.

Iran has joined the high-level talks in Rome aimed at bringing peace to Afghanistan. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports the talks do not deal with the contentious 5 issue of Tehran's nuclear development program.

US special envoy 6 for Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke said the meeting is restricted to Afghanistan. It does not affect other issues regarding Iran. Citing Iran's long border with Afghanistan and its problems with drugs and immigrants coming over the border, Holbrooke said Tehran has a role to play in the peaceful settlement of the situation. The Iranian envoy Mohammad Ali Qanezadeh described the meeting as "fruitful" and said Iran believes in a "regional" solution supported by the international community. In reference to the possibility of negotiations 7 with Taliban representatives, Holbrooke stressed the condition set forth 8 by coalition 9 forces and the Afghan government that the insurgents 10 lay down arms, renounce 11 Al-Qaeda, enter the political process and respect the constitution including minority rights. The envoy said "we are not going to win this war by purely 12 military means". Sylvia Poggioli, NPR News, Rome.

Four men caught in an FBI sting last year have been convicted of conspiring 13 to blow up New York City synagogues and shoot down military planes. A federal court jury had deliberated eight days.

The future was on display in the White House State Dining Room today. President Obama checked out exhibits and welcomed student winners of math and science competitions.

"It's in these pursuits that talents are discovered, and passions are lit and the future scientists, engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs are born."

The displays included a steering 14 wheel to prevent texting while driving and stronger bike helmets.

Near the close on Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrials up 76 points, NASDAQ up 11, and the S&P 500 was up eight points. This is NPR.

The federal judge who declared the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for gays unconstitutional is hearing arguements on whether to enforce the policy during the government's appeal. President Obama says Congress and not the court should get rid of the policy.

There are rising expectations in financial markets that the Federal Reserve will inject more money into the economy. And Steve Beckner of Market News International says the latest economic numbers underscore those hopes.

Output by the nation's factories, mines and utilities is down 0.2% for September. A rise of 0.2% in the Federal Reserve's industrial production index was expected. Capacity utilization 15, the rate at which plants operate, is also down. The economic signs are not all bad. The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index is up three points in October to its highest level since June. Fed policymakers meet in two weeks to decide whether or not to try to stimulate 16 the economy through quantitative 17 easing, buying bonds with newly created money to cut already low long-term interest rates. Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Dennis Lockhart says he is leaning in favor of that, but says the decision is not clear-cut. For NPR News, I'm Steve Beckner.

If you are on Facebook and use any of ten popular applications, your personal information may have been transmitted to advertising 18 and Internet tracking companies. The Wall Street Journal says the breach 19 also includes people who set all of their information to private. Facebook is moving to fix the problem and disable those applications. Most apps are made by independent software companies.