NPR 2009-6-20

Supporters of Iranian moderate candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, according to one individual, are feeling angry, worried and disappointed after a speech by Iran's supreme 1 leader in which he called for an end to street demonstrations 2. Comments come in the wake of the disputed presidential election. In his address, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned of a crackdown if the rallies continue. Denouncing some of the recent demonstrations, Khamenei accused the US of sending mixed messages.

The Obama administration says it shares concerns expressed by the House of Representatives today about Iran's crackdown on political protests. But the White House remains 4 wary 5 of wading 6 too deeply into Iranian politics. NPR's Scott Horsley has more.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says the House resolution, condemning 7 violence against those who are challenging results of last week's election in Iran, is very consistent with what the president has been saying. Some Republicans want Mr. Obama to speak out more forcefully in support of the demonstrators and against the Iranian leadership. But Gibbs reiterated 8 the president's position that the appearance of US meddling 9 will only help the Iranian regime.

"We're not going to be used as political foils and political footballs in a debate that's happening by Iranians in Iran. There are many people in the leadership that would love us to get involved."

Gibbs did say those who are protesting the results of last week's election should be allowed to make their voices heard without fear of violence. Scott Horsley, NPR News, the White House.

A federal judge from Texas has been impeached 10 by House lawmakers just days after reporting to prison. Samuel Kent who pleaded guilty to obstruction 11 of justice and admitted to sexually abusing two of his female employees was indicted 12. NPR's Audie Cornish reports.

US district court judge Samuel Kent is now serving a 33-month-prison sentence. Instead of resigning right away, the judge is planning to step down in a year. That way he can retain a salary of more than $170,000 plus benefits and pension. Only Congress can remove a federal judge and the House started the process by approving Kent's impeachment 13.

Texas Republican Lamar Smith.

"It is now time for justice, justice for the American people who have been exploited by a judge who violated his oath of office and obstructed 14 justice by lying and justice for the victims who were subjected to abuse and humiliation 15."

The House process is similar to that of a criminal indictment 16, but it's the Senate that is responsible for rendering 17 final judgment 18 and removal. Audie Cornish, NPR News, the Capitol.

US military is now confirming that airstrikes that killed a number of civilians 19 in Afghanistan last month were not carried out according to strict rules and the report goes on to say that may be the reason more than two dozen Afghan civilians were killed.

Report by the military states 78 Taliban members also died in the attack. Local Afghan officials have put the death toll 3 much higher though, saying as many as 140 civilians were killed.

On Wall Street, the Dow fell 15 points today.

This is NPR.

It’s no secret that major airlines are tacking 20 on all kinds of fees on top of their ticket prices in efforts to bring in a few extra dollars in the down economy. Now it seems some are piling fees on top of fees. Two airlines- US airways 21 and United- in addition to charging $15 to check a bag are now asking for another $5 if you pay the package fee at the checkout 22 counter. Two airlines say passengers who have paid that fee at home would be charged less. On other airlines, like AirTran an exit row seat will cost an extra $20.

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to eat Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough 23. The product may be contaminated with E.coli bacteria. NPR's Kathy Lohr reports.

The FDA says consumers who have prepackaged refrigerated Nestle Toll Housecookie products in their homes should throw them away. Since March, there have been 66 reports of illnesses in 28 states related to the E.coli contamination. Twenty-five people were hospitalized. No one has died. The E.coli bacteria can cause abdominal 24 cramping 25, vomiting 26, diarrhea and kidney failure. Young children and the elderly are most at risk. Nestle has voluntarily recalled the products after illnesses were reported by those who ate the raw dough and the company is cooperating with an ongoing 27 investigation 28. The FDA is also warning retail 29 outlets 30, restaurants and food service operations not to sell or serve any Nestle prepackaged Toll House refrigerated products that are subjected to the recall. They include cookie dough tubs, tubes, and bars of cookie dough. Kathy Lohr, NPR News.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton underwent a minor 31 surgery today to repair a fractured right elbow with the State Department saying she is expected to make a full recovery. She tripped on Wednesday in the State Department.

I'm Jack 32 Speer, NPR News in Washington.