The Fed scaled back its quantitative easing program, a heavy bond buying last month, and Bernanke said that reflected a progress toward the goal of substantial improvement in the labor market. But he said the cut in monthly bond buying from 85 to 75 billion dollars didn’t lessen the Fed’s commitment to keep monetary policy highly stimulative for as long as needed. Bernanke was upbeat in his last major speech before leaving office at the end of the month, saying economy made considerable progress and the headwinds hindering growth are abating, but he said recovery is far from complete with unemployment is elevated. For NPR News, I’m Steve Backner in Philadelphia. 

 

The death toll is rising as officials now are able to assess some briefs of a major apartment fire in Minneapolis earlier this week. Initially it was thought everyone has got out of the 3-story building, though a number of people were hurt from jumping out of the windows to escape the blaze. But now officials say a second body was founded this morning in addition to a body founded that site yesterday. Total of 14 others were hurt in the fire which broken out a windy morning. Authorities are on tour what sparked the blaze, but they’re looking a possible natural gas leak. Something were reported an explosion before the fire. 

 

The Obama administration has announced 2 actions aiming at strengthening background checks for gun buyers. NPR’s Brian Naylor reports the steps are directed at those who have metal health issues. 

One of the proposals rule changings would clarify what information takes mental health agencies can gift to the federal background check system. The department health and human services notes a 2012 report that founds at 17 states has submitted fewer than 10 records each of people’s prohibits from buying a gun because the metal health reasons. The other action would expand the term committing to a mental institution to include volunteer impatient as well as outpatient services. The Obama administration tries to win sweeping changes to the nation’s background check system after the Newtown shooting but was blocked by Congress. The White House again called on lawmakers to pass what it turns common sense gun safety legislation. Brian Naylor, NPR News, Washington. 

 

President Obama plans to pressure Congress to restore long-term jobless benefits, some 1.3 million Americans. Officials say the president plans to hold an event at the White House Tuesday where he will review negative consequences for its economy not extending unemployment benefits. The White House says president Obama will join in an event by American jobless benefits ran out late last month. 

 

A mixed close on Wall Street today as investors look toward a year ahead. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 28 points; the NASDAQ was down 11 points today. 

 

You’re listening to NPR News in Washington. 

 

According to the Pentagon, Maries used a UC130 cargo plane to evacuate some 20 Americans from US embassy in Juba South Sudan has been an ongoing violence there. State Department says security situation is deteriorating. Representatives from both sides of conflict at Ethiopia for preliminary peace talks as violence continues. Within the past several weeks, fighting in the region between rebels and government forces has left more than a thousand people dead and driven estimated 200,000 people from their homes. 

 

2013 auto sales in US marks a strong re-bounce for previous recession levels. NPR’s Louis Givony told us the variety of sedans plays a part in the industry’s strong year. 

Ford was one of the strongest performances of the year, reporting a 11% jump with strong sales of the fueling sedan, the escape crossover and Ford’s F series pickups. A General Motors vice president Kurt McNeil declared the recession formally in the rearview mirror with an overall annually increase in sales of 7.3%. Chrysler, too, scored a solid year-over-year hike. It’s numbers up 9%. A cross board dealering centers and oil price break and dramatically reduced borrowing costs made a major difference as drivers who held on to old cars during the recession gave in and decided to buy or lease new ones. Louis Givony, NPR News. 

 

Even the Super Ball is about a month away. The ad blizzards associates with the big game are already beginning. Soft drink maker Pepsi, which plans to get the big Super Ball half time show as a sponsor in TBS begins tomorrow. Marshal parts of a large campaign by the company aims to dropping awareness for the show, it would be a major part of 48th anniversary of Super Ball. Super Ball schedules to air February 2.