NPR 2011-01-24

In Pakistan, two US drone missiles have reportedly killed six suspected militants 1 in the tribal 2 area of North Waziristan. NPR's Julie McCarthy reports from Islamabad the strikes coincide with demonstrations 3 against such attacks.

In recent days, hundreds of local tribesmen have taken to the streets of the main North Waziristan city of Miranshah, calling for an end to the missile attacks that they say are killing 4 innocent people. With Pakistan either unable or unwilling 5 to eradicate 6 Taliban-allied militants in the area, the United States has intensified 7 missile strikes with the tacit approval of the Pakistani government. News agencies,quoting intelligence officials, say that missiles destroyed a house in a village 25 miles west of Miranshah. Hours later, a pair of suspected militants was targeted while riding a motorcycle in the same village. It's not clear what role the militants who control the area have played in the anti-drone protests, but organizers say more are planned. Julie McCarthy, NPR News, Islamabad.

President Obama is expected to outline his agenda for improving the economy and boosting employment when he gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday. In an online video to supporters, Mr. Obama provided a preview and cites jobs as his key concern. Republicans like House Majority Leader Congressman 8 Eric Cantor say they will be looking for something else.

"The question is does the president now embrace what the electorate 9 said, which is, 'We reject your agenda Mr. President. We understand the results have not been there. Let's try it a different way.'"

Cantor appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press". He says the president's focus should be on spending cuts and smaller deficits 10.

An Arctic front is bringing subzero temperatures to the Northeast. Forecasters say temps could dip to minus 20 along Lake Ontario, minus 15 as far south as Pennsylvania. It'll certainly bring a chill to today's AFC and NFC football championship games in Pittsburgh and Chicago. In the NFC matchup, the Bears are hosting the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. Chicago Public Radio's Alex Keefe has more on that historic rivalry 11.

Not since 1941 - just a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor - have the Bears and the Packers faced off in the playoffs. On the line this time, it's a trip to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas and, as Bears Coach Lovie Smith spoke 12 to this week, bragging 13 rights in one of football's fiercest rivalries 14.

"There's always a team that you have to beat. To have to beat the Packers to get to the Super Bowl, our ultimate goal, is on the way it should be and we embrace that."

Everyone from governors to mayors have placed bets on their home team, even the Catholic Church has gotten involved - with Chicago's cardinal 15 betting a deep dish pizza against the Milwaukee archbishop's basket of cheese. Chicago and Green Bay met twice during the regular season and split both games. For NPR News, I'm Alex Keefe in Chicago.

This is NPR News from Washington.

This weekend marks the 38th anniversary of the landmark 16 Supreme 17 Court decision that legalized abortion 18 known as Roe 19 v. Wade 20. NPR's Kathy Lohr reports people on both sides have not backed away from their efforts to preserve abortion or try to make the procedures illegal.

Tens of thousands of people are traveling to Washington DC, and thousands are participating in events at state capitals. Those who oppose abortion continue to pass state laws, including efforts to limit abortions 21 later in pregnancy 22. One law passed in Nebraska bans abortions after 20 weeks based on the theory that fetuses 24 can feel pain. Other states require women receiving abortions to have an ultrasound, and some want to force women to hear a description of the fetus 23. Abortion rights activists 25 say they are fighting to protect women's legal right to abortion and their right to privacy in making medical decisions. Some have called on the Justice Department to launch a broader federal investigation 26 into what they say is harassment 27 of doctors and staff at clinics across the country. Kathy Lohr, NPR News.

Today is another day of rehabilitation 28 for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, tweeted this morning that there are no weekends off and Giffords would be involved in a second day of rehab as she recovers in intensive care at a Houston hospital.

Egyptian officials say they found conclusive 29 evidence that an al-Qaeda-linked group was behind the New Year's Day suicide bombing that killed 21 and injured about 100 outside a church in Alexandria. The interior minister believes the Gaza-based Army of Islam is behind the attack. Officials say at least five Egyptians are currently being held in connection with that bombing.

I'm Nancy Lyons, NPR News in Washington.