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Senate debates mandatory emissions cuts,
Senate Backs Regulators on Energy Plan,
Bush: U.S. Needs More Nuclear Power Plants,
Senate Endorses Bush Policy on Climate

Whilst supporting proposals for tax incentives and voluntary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the White House and the U.S. Senate are opposed to mandatory reductions, which have been proposed as part of the Energy bill. A vote is scheduled Thursday to limit debate on the entire energy bill.

The Senate voted 52-45 against an amendment to give states more say in siting of liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals - the bill gives the final say to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Other proposals considered unlikely to be approved are a requirement for automakers to increase their vehicles' fuel economy and one requiring industry to reduce the greenhouse gas pollution which causes global warming.

President Bush promotes the construction of nuclear power plants to take the heat off of fossil fuels, although even he admits it would not reduce gasoline prices for some time. He believes that mandatory limits of greenhouse gases could cripple the economy and lead to higher energy prices.

Probable Case of West Nile Virus Reported

A 51-year-old resident of Kansas is believed to have had West Nile virus. If confirmed, this would be the first case this year, although it has been found in animals in 14 states.

G8 decision on fusion would herald nuclear future

The G8 meeting next month may decide on the site for the world's first nuclear fusion test reactor, called ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor). Members France and Japan have been competing for the construction phase of the project.

Japan hit for trying to widen scientific whale hunt

Japan wants to expand its "scientific" whaling, but the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has voted to urge Tokyo to cut it. Japan is considering whether to leave the IWC.

U.S. Hazelnut Growers Look for Consumers

Americans eat few hazelnuts (filberts) - less than one ounce a year each compared to the German's 4.4 pounds a year. Americans eat peanuts instead. One problem putting off buyers as that hazelnuts generally alternate between good harvests and poor ones, but Turkey could pick up the slack. Americans already like hazelnut-flavored coffee (though the flavouring is artificial) and Nutella (chocolate and hazelnut spread).

Pentagon Refuses Test for Toxic Chemical

The Pentagon sometimes refused to test for toxic perchlorate when environmental regulators said such tests were needed according to a General Accountability Office (GAO) report. It was found in at least 395 sites in 35 states. The Defense Department criticized the report.

Anatahan Volcano North of Saipan Rumbles

The Anatahan Volcano north of Saipan in the Northern Marianas about 3,800 miles southwest of Hawaii has been erupting since May 2003, and the latest rumblings have created a cloud of ash and steam 10,000 feet high and spreading 815 nautical miles northwest.

U.S. indicts two Brazilians in nun's murder

The U.S. has indicted two Brazilians who are facing charges in Brazil already for the murder of Sister Dorothy Stang, a Catholic nun who advocated land reform and peasants' rights in Brazil.

South Asia heat wave kills at least 375

A month-long heat wave in South Asia has caused the deaths of at least 375 people in India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Temperatures have reached 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit).

South China flooding, landslides kill more than 44

Over 100,000 residents of Wuzhou on the Xijiang River were evacuated as the river reached 8m higher than the warning level. Heavy rains have caused landslides and floods that have killed many people in China this month and cut the Beijing-Kowloon railway line. Much of northern China is enduring a heat wave, however.

What do you think is causing the unexplained extinctions of amphibians?

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