NPR 2011-06-17

After two weeks of scandal, Democratic Congressman 1 Anthony Weiner of New York is leaving office. NPR's Margot Adler reports that Weiner officially resigned this afternoon at the same location where he first asked citizens for their votes some 20 years ago.

Weiner again apologized for the embarrassment 2 he caused and said he had hoped to continue in office.

"To fight for the middle class and those struggling to make it. Unfortunately, the distraction 3 that I have created has made that impossible, so today I'm announcing my resignation from Congress."

So that his colleagues can get back to work, he said, and he and his wife can heal from the damage he caused. He described his district as "hardworking, patriotic 4 and authentic," described himself as a middle-class kid who went to public school and went into the politics to give voice to the voiceless. He thanked his staff, who's young people who are not paid much and work long hours. Weiner came alone, and there was little security. Many hecklers in the room shouted out during his less than four-minute statement. Margot Adler, NPR News, New York.

Al-Qaeda has announced it has a new leader. Ayman al-Zawahiri, for years the Egyption deputy to Osama bin 5 Laden 6, has taken charge of the organization, according to a statement posted online by the al-Qaeda general command. NPR's Tom Gjelten reports that Zawahiri had long been expected to replace bin Laden, who was killed last month in a US commando raid.

The surprise about Zawahiri's selection was how long it took. Bin Laden was killed six weeks ago. Zawahiri, an Eyption eye doctor, has served as bin Laden's No.2 ever since the formation of al-Qaeda and was seen as the operational commander even while bin Laden was alive, but he has his detractors within the organization, who see him as abrasive 7 and uninspiring. Another possible reason for the delay in announcing his selection is that the al-Qaeda Shura or leadership council has had trouble communicating let alone getting together. Some counter-terrorism analysts 9 suspect Zawahiri will have a hard time managing the al-Qaeda network. He may be under some pressure to orchestrate a major attack in the coming weeks in order to demonstrate his leadership and avenge 10 bin Laden's death. Tom Gjelten, NPR News, Washington.

A political crisis in Greece is escalating 11 over widely unpopular austerity measures. Embattled Prime Minister George Papandreou lost two members of his own Socialist 12 Party. They resigned in protest. This as he attempts to form a new cabinet and to get a program of spending cuts and taxes passed to meet the requirements of an international bailout. Analyst 8 Vangelis Agapitos says Greece needs a solution soon.

"I'd like to be cautiously optimistic that Greece still has a chance to put through, but time is running out, and options are also running out."

The crisis has been affecting world markets. At last check, Dow was up 58 points at 11955; Nasdaq was down seven.

This is NPR News.

Chrysler is recalling more than 11000 cars, minivans and SUVs because of a steering 13 problem. NPR's Kimberly Adams reports the recall covers nearly a dozen 2011 models.

Included in the recall are the Dodge 14 Avenger 15 and Grand Caravan 16, the Jeep Wrangler 17, Compass and Liberty, the Chrysler Town & Country and others. They could have a missing or improperly 18 installed rivet 19 in their steering columns. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that could hinder the operation of the front impact safety system, which could increase the risk of injury in a frontal crash. Those affected 20 by the recall can bring their vehicles into the dealership 21 to be fixed 22 for free. Kimberly Adams, NPR News, Washington.

Anger over a proposed change to public workers' benefits in New Jersey 23 set off confrontations 24 at the state Capitol today. Union members heckled the sponsor of the controversial bill, Democratic Senate President Stephen Sweeney. Sweeney, an official with the ironworkers union, is proposing a measure that would require government workers to bear a much larger share of their health care costs.

As many as 1500 Czech transport union workers shut down the Prague underground today. Reportedly, first time that's happened there. The one-day strike was over the government's fiscal 25 reforms.

Alaska's been hit by a 5.2-magnitude earthquake that could be felt in Anchorage. There were no immediate 26 reports of damage or injuries.

Bombers 28 are responsible for more deadly attacks today in Nigeria, Africa's most populous 29 nation. Police said two people were killed in the capital Abuja today when a suicide bomber 27 struck police headquarters. Three children were killed in northeastern Nigeria.

I'm Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.