Some of the biggest oil companies are urging consumers to use less energy to bring down prices and slow rising global demand.The move comes as concern grows about global warming and as the oil industry contends with limited access to new reserves and criticism from politicians for not investing enough."It's interesting they are saying that because very often they have not said anything on (the subject of curbing demand)," says Claude Mandil, head of the International Energy Agency."I fully agree with them," he told Reuters on the sidelines of an OPEC seminar on Wednesday.Chevron, the second largest U.S. oil company, ran a two-page advertisement in Britain's Financial Times Sept. 6 encouraging consumers to use less fuel."A 5% reduction in global energy use would be enough to power Australia, Mexico and the entire UK," the ad said. "So what are we waiting for?"... http://www.usatoday.com censor News |
Editor - 08:59:00 09-13-06 |
U.N. Secretary-General Annan Says Most Mideast Leaders Say Iraq Invasion Was 'A Real Disaster' |
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Wednesday that most leaders in the Middle East believe the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and its aftermath "a real disaster" for the region. Annan said many leaders believed the United States should stay until Iraq improves, while others, such as Iran, said the United States should leave immediately. That means that the United States has found itself in the difficult position where "it cannot stay and it cannot leave." "Most of the leaders I spoke to felt the invasion of Iraq and its aftermath has been a real disaster for them," Annan said. "They believe it has destabilized the region." Annan returned from a two-week trip to the Middle East late last week. His main goal was to get leaders to support a Security Council resolution imposing a cease-fire in Lebanon, but he said he discussed other issues such as Iraq with the leaders he met. ... http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=2429422
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Editor - 08:53:00 09-13-06 |
GOP Fundraiser Gets Jail Time Ex-Coin Dealer In Ohio Sentenced To More Than Two Years In Prison |
A former coin dealer at the center of an Ohio political scandal has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Tom Noe illegally funneled $45,000 to President Bush's re-election campaign. He gave friends money to donate to Mr. Bush, in order to fulfill his promise to generate $50,000 for a presidential fund-raiser. Noe apologized in a federal courtroom in Toledo today for the scheme. He said he'd been "pressured" by Bush-Cheney officials to become a big fund-raiser. His large donations made him a powerful political figure in Ohio. Prosecutors said the campaign-money-laundering scheme was the largest one ever prosecuted under a 2002 campaign finance reform law. Noe pleaded guilty to three charges, including exceeding federal campaign contribution limits. ... http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/09/13/politics/main2003323.shtml?source=RSSattr=U.S._2003323
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Editor - 08:50:00 09-13-06 |
Senate panel approves Bush-backed spying bill |
A White House-backed bill that would enable a secret court to review Bush's warrantless domestic spying program won approval on Wednesday from the US Senate Judiciary Committee. Republicans backed the measure, saying it would enable the court created by the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to examine the legality of the program begun shortly after the 9 11 attacks and first disclosed last December. But Democrats warned the measure was packed with loopholes, would expand presidential powers and could undermine civil liberties of law-abiding Americans. On a party-line vote of 10-8, the panel approved the bill and sent it to the full Senate for an uncertain fate in advance of the hotly contested November 7 congressional elections. Secret Courts, secret evidence, secret witnesses, secret Torture and holding people for years with no charges, and in secret jails, and everyone Spying on their neighbors, And we used to think Show Trials were bad. How far we have fallen... http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2429408
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Editor - 08:47:00 09-13-06 |
Clinton re-election bid on track |
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton easily won her Democratic primary in New York, winning the chance to stand for re-election in US mid-term polls. Her win came as nine states held primaries, in which the parties choose candidates for November's elections. In Rhode Island, moderate Republican Lincoln Chafee defeated a conservative challenger in a fight seen as crucial to the battle for control of Congress. Democrats need a net gain of six seats to win control of the upper chamber. They need a net gain of 15 seats to control the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats are up for grabs. There are also 36 races for governorships across America. Rhode Island is one of Democrats' prime targets, and correspondents say some had hoped that Mr Chafee - seen as the Senate's most liberal Republican - would be defeated by challenger Steve Laffey. Is there anyone out there that really wants her, or will the Democrats accept a dead horse as usual? ... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5341250.stm
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Editor - 08:31:00 09-13-06 |
Judge accused of favouring Saddam |
The chief prosecutor in the genocide trial of Saddam Hussein has called for the judge to stand down, saying he is biased towards the former Iraqi leader. Munqith al-Faroon said defendants had been given too much room to threaten witnesses and make political speeches. Judge Abdullah al-Amiri rejected the request, saying his approach was based on fairness and 25 years' experience. Saddam Hussein and six others are on trial for war crimes against the Kurds during the so-called Anfal campaign. "Defendants have gone too far, with unacceptable expressions and words. Defendants have uttered clear threats," Mr Faroon said at the opening of the latest hearing. Mr Amiri defended his conduct, saying: "A judge should co-ordinate and make peace so nobody takes advantage of his fairness... I have been working in the judicial system for the past 25 years." In heated exchanges on Tuesday the former Iraqi leader threatened to "crush the head" of a lawyer of one witness for the prosecution... http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5341234.stm
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Editor - 08:17:00 09-13-06 |
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