NPR美国国家公共电台 NPR 2015-09-23

 US authorities confirm Russia is escalating 1 its military presence in Syria. NPR's TB reports Moscow is attempting to prop 2 up the Assad regime against the expansion of the self-declared IS. A US official says the added planes include an air-to-ground attack aircraft known as a flying tank. Those planes come on top of four Russian planes that arrived last week together with other four attack helicopters. Officials say there are now hundreds of Russian personnel on the ground at a new base at the Mediterranean 3 coast. Captain JD, a Pentagon spokesman, said Russian support to the Syrian regime is counterproductive. The US says Assad has lost the trust of his citizens and wants to see a new government formed. Russia is expected to target the self-proclaimed IS just like the US-led coalition 5. But US officials fear the Russians will also attack American-traind * rebels that US hopes to be a part of the new government. TB, NPR news, Washington.

Concerned about Russia's intensions in the mid-east region, the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu went to Russia today and spoke 4 directly with president Vladimir Putin. NPR's EH says the Israeli leader wants assurances there is no quote 'misunderstandings between their respective military.' So first for Israel, there is always the worry that addtitional weapons in the region will reach  H, Israel's enemy to its north. Also Israel's periodic response to rockets to shells that land in Israel from Syria and Israel doesn't want to accidentally wind up in confrontation 6 with Russian forces or pilots. Netanyahu said he wanted to clarify Israel's policies to Putin. Putin said Russia's main goal is to defend the Syrian state. NPR's EH.
Security preparations are underway ahead of Pope Francis's much-anticipated arrival in the US tomorrow afternoon. NPR's TJ says the visit will take the pontiff to people who are otherwise on the margins 7 of society. Since becoming Pope in 2013, Francis has shown that he sees himself first as a pastor 8. He has directed the church to focus on those most in need. During stops in Washington to New York and Philadelphia, Pope Francis will visit the white House, Congress and the UNs. But he will also have lunch with homeless people, meet with immigrants and talk to inmates 9 at a prison. This will be the first time that he has come to the US. With his outspoken 10 views on immigration, the environment, income inequality, and the death penalty, the Pope could touch on some hot political issues but church leaders say his pastoral mission is likely to be the priority. TJ,NPR news, Washington.
Earlier today the Pope received a musical welcome from school children in eastern Cuba. Thousands clambered got a glimpse of the man who is a key figure in talks that led to normalized relations between Cuba and the US.
Before the close, Dow was up 125 points at 16510. This is NPR news. The mother of two-year-old Bella Bond and her boyfriend appeared in a Boston court charged with accessory to murder and murder respectively. The little girl was found in a trash bag on Boston harbor three months ago. TM of WGBH has more. The arraignment 11 for Michael McCarthy and Rachelle Bond for the murder of Bella Bond was intense. It started with a warning from a judge about any outburst. As little Belle 12 Bond's last hours were detailed 13 by prosecutors 14, a woman yelled out at the couple 'I hope you rotten hell'. She was rushed out by court officers. CB who identified as a neighbor said she came to this hearing for Bella and said she always had a bad feeling about McCarthy. 'He was very scary. I would be totally afraid to see him, very uncomfortable around him. Aways strangle.' Michael McCarthy and Rachelle Bond are due back in on October 20th. For NPR news. I'm TM in Boston.
Crews are making progress against one of California's worst wild fires which has burnt more than 1000 acres and destroyed nearly a dozen homes. That blaze in M county is 30 percent contained. That in two other fires in Northern California have collectively destroyed nearly 1600 homes and killed at least 5 people. Some major retailers 15 are now revealing plans to hire seasonal 16 workers ahead of the holidays with varying changes in hiring level since last year. Macy's says it will recruit about 85000 seasonal workers roughly the same as last year. Kohl's is opening about 69000 temporary positions. And Toy's 'R' Us  says it plans to hire about 40000 workers. Dow was up 125 at 16510. This is NPR news.