From NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

 

　　The Senate just confirmed Gina McCarthy the head of Environmental Protection Agency, 59 to 40. Hertisen is the latest in a string of long stalled Obama nomination that were clear in Senate this week as a result of bipartisan deal. Republicans agreed to allow stopping block several nominations in exchange the Democrats agreed not to change rules that would weaken the power of Senate Republican minority.

 

　　President Obama top military adviser encounting some harsh criticizes today on Capitol Hill as he tried to explain administration policy on Syria. Army General Martin Dempsey, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff angered Republican senator John McCain with his reluctance to endorse US military intervention in Syria civil war. NPR’s Tom Gjelten has more.

 

　　Senator McCain wants to impose no-fly-zone against the government forces in Syria and arm the rebels. He said he has concerned about Dempsey’s position. Pressed by McCain whether he thought US military action in Syria is advisable, Dempsey would only say he favors supporting the opposition.

 

　　“The question whether support with direct kinetic strike is a decision for our elected officials not for the senior military leaders in nation.”

 

　　“Respect to my concerns about your role as chairman of Joint Chiefs.”

 

　　“I understand.”

 

　　Kinetic strike could be bombing, but Cain told reporters later he was so angered by Dempsey’s answers and he plans to put a halt on his nomination for a second term as Joint Chief Chairman. Tom Gjelten, NPR News, Washington.

 

　　A summer heat wave continues to blanket much of mid-West and East costal. Temperature at Big Apple at 90 is being blamed for slower train service on the nations’ busiest rail corridors. NPR’s Joel Rose explains.

 

　　Amtrak is slowing down at a train along North-East corridor because the heat wave is driving up the internal temperature of the rails. Amtrak says passengers travelling between Washington DC, New York and Boston can expect late up to 20 minutes. Speed restrictions are also effecting on parts of keystone corridors between Harrisburg Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. In a statement, Amtrak says engineers monitor track temperatures in real time, in its speed restriction are implementing for safety when internal real temperature exceeded 120 degrees. Extreme heat is also being blamed for lose overhead power lines on the North-East corridor. It cost delays for Amtrak and New Jersey transit train on Wednesday. Joel Rose, NPR News, New York.

 

　　This celebration erupts outside at hospital where former South Africa president Nelson Mandela is slowly recovering from a lung infection. He turn 95-year-old today and it has a big deal for a nation that had breathed for weeks for the possibility he would not see his birthday. Although Mandela remains frail, it says he is showing signs of improvement.

 

　　At last check on Wall Street, US stocks were up. It is NPR News.

 

　　One of Russian most prominent and outspoken critic for President Vladimir Putin is going to prison for five years. Alexei Navalny was convicted in sentence today for embezzlement. Navalny, a Moscow mayoral candidate says the verdict was politically motivated. Earlier, he had given an impassion speech heard through a BBC interpreter.

 

　　“This can’t go forever as situation in which 140 million people in one of biggest and richest country in the world are subjugated by a handful of worthless wasters.”

 

　　Thousands of opposition supporters came into defending, gathered outside the Kremlin. Navalny is well known blogger and attorney who spearheaded a number of anti-corruption protests including against Putin’s reelection to a third term.

 

　　Nominations for the 65th Emmy Awards have been announced. American Horror Story, Game of Thrones and a miniseries about Liberace are among the contenders as NPR’s Elizabeth Blair reports.

 

　　17 nominations went to that spooky FX miniseries American Horror Story. In comedy, three of the five nominees for supporting actors are those lovably oddball men in Modern Family.

 

　　“OK, before you say no”

 

　　“No”

 

　　“You haven’t even said a yes.”

 

　　“……Still with a NO.”

 

　　30 Rock is going out with bang. Its final season gets 13 nominations. And this year, Netflix is getting Emmy’s attention. Its drama House of Cards about @@ and ambition in Washington won 9 nominations.

 

　　“How could they pour grace into the garden of shadow of power and wealth?”

 

　　The Emmy airs live on CBS at September. Elizabeth Blair, NPR News.

 

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