The Chicago center will specialize in digital manufacturing, while the Detroit hub concentrates on making things with lightweight metals. They join 2 other manufacturing hubs, Youngstown in Ohio and Raleigh, North Carolina. Together that’s seen as a president Obama’s hope will eventually be a nation-wide network. 

“I’m very excited about these 4 hubs. The only problem is Germany has 6 of them.”

The president is urging Congress to fund dozens of manufacturing centers. But in the meantime, he scrounged money from the defense budget to help launch the Detroit and Chicago hubs. The administration hopes these new centers will spur innovation and lead more manufacturing jobs in the US. Scott Horsley, NPR News, the White House. 

 

A rare one and one sit down between House Speaker John Boehner and president Obama at the White House today. The two sitting down for one hour of meeting in Oval Office with aides to both men say a lot of grounds were discovered. While 2 have found bitterly on a number of issues over the past 3 years is believed today’s discussion touched down areas including immigration reform. The proposal by the White House is a fast-track trade deal and whether US troop should be pulled from Afghanistan this year. Marked the first time the 2 of member alone since December of 2012. 

 

A report from Senate permanent sub-committee on its investigation says a Swiss bank Credit Suisse is deeply involved in helping American evade taxes. NPR’s Jim Zarroli reports top bank officials would appear before the sub-committee tomorrow to discuss the charge. 

The report says at its peak, some 22,000 Americans have opened the accounts of Credit Suisse and the vast majority were never declared to the IRS. The report says the bank has been slow to turn over the accountholders names, partly because the efforts by the Swiss government to impede the investigation. The report was released one day before a hearing at which several banks’ officials, including CEO Brady Dougan are expected to testify. The sub-committee will also hear from The Justice Department officials who will address concerns about the progress of the investigation of the banks. Jim Zarroli, NPR News, New York. 

 

US consumers were a bit less confident this month. That’s according to the business research group "the confidence board" which says consumer confidence index dropped by slightly more than a point. Confidence on the part of consumers is closely watched by analysts since consumer spending drove the bulk of US economic activity. While viewed by current condition, growth for 4 straight months expectations going further would down slightly. Reports of the index and measures consumer sentiment about the labor market was also some more pessimistic. 

 

Stocks seem bounce around today, but at the end of close moderately lower makes concerns about consumers confidence numbers. The Dow dropped 23 points to 16,179; the NASDAQ was down 5 points today. 

 

You’re listening to NPR News in Washington. 

 

Talks aiming to reaching a comprehensive Pacific trade deal have wrapped out with the final agreement today. Discussion was taken place in Tokyo about down among other things over disagreement of Japan over its tariffs and agricultural imports. While despite the lack of a final agreement, the respective said they're pleased for the program made so far. Further talks are slated to hold in May, possibly in China on the sidelines of the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. 

 

Italy young Prime Minister has won parliament's confidence on his ambitious agenda as his 3 predecessors were unable to do achieve. NPR's Sylvia Poggioli reports the 39-year-old Matteo Renzi alert many lawmakers with his @@ style. 

Facing parliament for the first time, Italy's youngest Prime Minister outlined an ambitious program of radical change delivered with his signature quick fire style. Speaking without the recent taxes @@ in system on need for Italy to heal its public finance to ensure future for the country's children. He promised to slash payroll taxes to encourage hiring but didn't say how Italy would recoup lower tax revenues. His remarks were peppered with references to pop culture and down-to-earth anecdotes. A far cry from the traditional rhetoric, often older generation of Italian politicians, many commentators put out @@ hands in his pockets, seeing it disrespectful of his Augustus' chamber. Sylvia Poggioli, NPR News, Rome. 

 

Early day in terms of the legal Marihuana sales in the US, with its one county in one state was part sale is now legal. Apparently tax revenues are rolling in. @@ Colorado is reportedly collected $156,000 in sale tax from 2 recreational Marihuana stores opened in January.