White House Rethinks Biofuel Mandate
The Obama administration on Friday proposed to reduce the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply for the first time, acknowledging that the biofuel law championed by both parties in 2007 is not working as well as expected. Friday’s announcement comes just days after The Associated Press released a major report on the long-term damage the Obama-backed ethanol mandate has caused to the environment.
The Obama administration on Friday proposed to reduce the amount of ethanol in the nation’s fuel supply for the first time, acknowledging that the biofuel law championed by both parties in 2007 is not working as well as expected. Friday’s announcement comes just days after The Associated Press released a major report on the long-term damage the Obama-backed ethanol mandate has caused to the environment.
Rival Libya militias clash near Tripoli after protest
Fresh fighting has broken out between rival Libyan militias on the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli, after at least 43 people died in clashes on Friday. The latest violence in the suburb of Tajoura pits local militiamen against incoming fighters from Misrata. Friday's clashes occurred after protesters marched on the headquarters of the Misrata militia to demand that it leave Tripoli, and were fired upon.
Fresh fighting has broken out between rival Libyan militias on the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli, after at least 43 people died in clashes on Friday. The latest violence in the suburb of Tajoura pits local militiamen against incoming fighters from Misrata. Friday's clashes occurred after protesters marched on the headquarters of the Misrata militia to demand that it leave Tripoli, and were fired upon.
EU and US edge toward trade deal
A week of trade talks in Brussels have taken the European Union and the United States a little closer to a deal to liberalise bilateral trade. EU officials say the trade relationship with the US is already the biggest in the world, worth more than 2bn euros (£1.7bn) a day. But barriers remain, and removing them could make it even bigger.
A week of trade talks in Brussels have taken the European Union and the United States a little closer to a deal to liberalise bilateral trade. EU officials say the trade relationship with the US is already the biggest in the world, worth more than 2bn euros (£1.7bn) a day. But barriers remain, and removing them could make it even bigger.
Indian navy gets Russian carrier as it seeks to bolster military
Russia handed over a $2.3 billion aircraft carrier to India on Saturday after years of delays, extending the South Asian country's maritime reach in the Indian Ocean as it looks to counter China's assertive presence in the region. The handover, at a shipyard near the Arctic Circle, underlined close defense ties between Russia, the world's No. 2 arms exporter, and the world's largest arms customer, India.
Russia handed over a $2.3 billion aircraft carrier to India on Saturday after years of delays, extending the South Asian country's maritime reach in the Indian Ocean as it looks to counter China's assertive presence in the region. The handover, at a shipyard near the Arctic Circle, underlined close defense ties between Russia, the world's No. 2 arms exporter, and the world's largest arms customer, India.
'Quite possible' Iran, powers can reach nuclear deal next week: U.S. official
Major powers and Iran are getting closer to an initial agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program, a senior U.S. official said on Friday, adding it is "quite possible" a deal could be reached when negotiators meet November 20-22 in Geneva. "For the first time in nearly a decade we are getting close to a first-step ... that would stop the Iranian nuclear program from advancing and roll it back in key areas," the official told reporters.
Major powers and Iran are getting closer to an initial agreement to curb Iran's nuclear program, a senior U.S. official said on Friday, adding it is "quite possible" a deal could be reached when negotiators meet November 20-22 in Geneva. "For the first time in nearly a decade we are getting close to a first-step ... that would stop the Iranian nuclear program from advancing and roll it back in key areas," the official told reporters.
Majority of Israelis believe solo strike on Iran can succeed
Israel Hayom-New Wave Research poll finds 52.4% of the Israeli Jewish public is in favor of an independent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities • Some 52.5% support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position regarding tensions with the U.S. over Iran.
Israel Hayom-New Wave Research poll finds 52.4% of the Israeli Jewish public is in favor of an independent strike on Iran's nuclear facilities • Some 52.5% support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's position regarding tensions with the U.S. over Iran.
U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Reinstate Oklahoma Law Requiring Ultrasound Before Abortions
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case that would reinstate ultrasounds before abortions in Oklahoma, Christian News reports. Last December, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled it was unconsitutional to require abortionists to perform an ultrasound, describing the view of the unborn baby in detail an hour before ending the child's life. The court pointed back to Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, which says state laws cannot inhibit a woman's ability to obtain an abortion.
The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case that would reinstate ultrasounds before abortions in Oklahoma, Christian News reports. Last December, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled it was unconsitutional to require abortionists to perform an ultrasound, describing the view of the unborn baby in detail an hour before ending the child's life. The court pointed back to Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, which says state laws cannot inhibit a woman's ability to obtain an abortion.
PMorgan Sets Tentative $4.5 Billion Accord for Mortgage Bonds
enmeshed in legal battles with regulators, U.S. agencies and clients, agreed with 21 institutional investors to pay $4.5 billion to resolve claims the bank sold faulty mortgage securities. The preliminary deal covers 330 mortgage bond trusts issued between 2005 and 2008, JPMorgan said in a statement yesterday. The accord still needs approval from trustees overseeing those securities and may be subject to court review, JPMorgan said.
enmeshed in legal battles with regulators, U.S. agencies and clients, agreed with 21 institutional investors to pay $4.5 billion to resolve claims the bank sold faulty mortgage securities. The preliminary deal covers 330 mortgage bond trusts issued between 2005 and 2008, JPMorgan said in a statement yesterday. The accord still needs approval from trustees overseeing those securities and may be subject to court review, JPMorgan said.
Chemical arms watchdog adopts Syria stockpile plan
The global chemical weapons watchdog says it has now adopted a detailed plan for the destruction of Syria's stockpile by mid-2014. Friday had been the deadline for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to agree a final destruction timetable. The deadline was set under a US-Russia brokered plan backed by the UN.
The global chemical weapons watchdog says it has now adopted a detailed plan for the destruction of Syria's stockpile by mid-2014. Friday had been the deadline for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to agree a final destruction timetable. The deadline was set under a US-Russia brokered plan backed by the UN.
Dangerous New Eruption at Sumatra's Sinabung Volcano
Superheated ash and gas flowing down the slopes of Indonesia's Sinabung volcano signals the intensity of eruptions may be increasing at the fiery mountain, according to local officials. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from towns and villages in North Sumatra's Karo Regency since Mount Sinabung awoke in October after a three-year dormancy. Karo is an agricultural region that supplies vegetables for surrounding islands. The evacuation and devastating ash fall have affected crop harvests, leading to higher prices on vegetables and chilies elsewhere in Indonesia, according to the Jakarta Post.
Superheated ash and gas flowing down the slopes of Indonesia's Sinabung volcano signals the intensity of eruptions may be increasing at the fiery mountain, according to local officials. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated from towns and villages in North Sumatra's Karo Regency since Mount Sinabung awoke in October after a three-year dormancy. Karo is an agricultural region that supplies vegetables for surrounding islands. The evacuation and devastating ash fall have affected crop harvests, leading to higher prices on vegetables and chilies elsewhere in Indonesia, according to the Jakarta Post.
Israel's Peres warns against feud with U.S. over Iran
President Shimon Peres urged Israelis on Friday to show respect for the United States, seeking to soothe relations with the country's most powerful ally that have been strained over Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a proposal, endorsed by Washington, to reduce sanctions if Iran suspends parts of its nuclear program. Several ministers have also harshly criticized Washington, prompting Peres to intervene.
President Shimon Peres urged Israelis on Friday to show respect for the United States, seeking to soothe relations with the country's most powerful ally that have been strained over Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned a proposal, endorsed by Washington, to reduce sanctions if Iran suspends parts of its nuclear program. Several ministers have also harshly criticized Washington, prompting Peres to intervene.
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