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More requests for “cash for clunkers” deals in U.S.
U.S. auto dealers continue to submit more than 20,000 “cash for clunkers” deals to the Transportation Department daily, reports reaching here said Wednesday.
As of Wednesday morning, auto dealers have 316,189 vehicle voucher requests with a value of 1.33 billion U.S. dollars, up 179 million dollars from the 1.15 billion dollars on Monday, according to department data. That means dealers have submitted requests averaging 90 million a day this week, or just over 21,500 deals a day.
Analysts say the remaining funds in the 3 billion “cash for clunkers” program could run out in the next few weeks as deals are increasing.
Last Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama signed into law a 2 billion extension of the “cash for clunkers” program that gives drivers a rebate of up to 4,500 dollars to trade in passenger cars that have a combined fuel efficiency rating of 18 mpg (18 miles per hour) or lower and are up to 25 years old. The vouchers must be used on vehicles at least 4 mpg more efficient, while slightly different rules apply to light trucks.
Putin visits breakaway Abkhazia, confirms aid commitment
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday pledged that Russia would continue to provide financial assistance to Abkhazia, the breakaway Georgian region, as promised.
Putin said during a meeting with Abkhaz leader Sergei Bagapsh in Abkhazia that Russia’s plans to render financial aid to the region remained unchanged despite difficulties created by the global economic crisis.
“The funds agreed on for three years have been earmarked,” Putin was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.
Under agreements signed earlier this year, Moscow pledged 2.36 billion rubles (68 million U.S. dollars) to Abkhazia and 2.8 billion rubles (81 million dollars) to South Ossetia to help balance their budgets and boost development.
Putin’s one-day visit to Abkhazia was the first by a high-level Russian delegation since Russia recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia’s other breakaway region, after a brief war with Georgia last August
In an interview with Abkhaz media ahead of his visit, Putin said Russia would spend 15-16 billion rubles (465 million dollars) in 2010 on strengthening Abkhazia’s defenses.
Putin said he could not rule out a repeat of last year’s war as long as Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili remained in office. »» Putin visits breakaway Abkhazia, confirms aid commitment
U.S. unsettled on new site for Guantanamo prisoners
The Obama administration remains unsettled on where to detain the prisoners now at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility after the prison closes in January, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.
“I’m not going to get into identifying potential sites, in part because, frankly, sites that are floated and then shot down have a way of being resurrected,” Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell told the newspaper.
“So let’s let the process continue, and we’ll see what the ultimate recommendation is,” he said.
President Barack Obama has ordered the closure of the notorious prison at the U.S. naval base in Cuba by Jan. 22, 2010. A military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas has emerged as a likely site to hold the Guantanamo prisoners.
Two Republican senators representing Kansas, however, oppose the arrangement and have put a legislative hold on the nomination of Obama’s choice for Army Secretary as a bargaining tool on the issue. »» U.S. unsettled on new site for Guantanamo prisoners
Canada sends plane to monitor Russian nuclear submarines
Canada has sent a surveillance plane to waters off its East Coast to monitor a pair of nuclear-powered Russian submarines in the area, military officials said Wednesday.
The Russian submarines were first spotted on Aug. 5 in international waters off Georgia. It is believed the Akula II Class warships have since moved north, and remain outside of Canadian and American territorial limits, which extends 12 nautical miles into the ocean, the Canadian Press (CP) reported citing Canadian defense sources.
A spokesman for Canada Command, the Ottawa-based military headquarters in charge of continental defense, downplayed the surveillance mission and refused to discuss details, describing it as “routine” for the patrol aircraft which have spent most of their nearly 30 year career as submarine hunters.
On Tuesday, Canada’s Defense Minister John MacKay said that the Russian submarines had not done anything threatening, but said it is all part of a pattern of “Russia flexing its muscle” on the world stage. »» Canada sends plane to monitor Russian nuclear submarines
China to monitor endemic arsenic, fluoride poisoning
China will start to monitor the endemic poisoning of coal-burning arsenic and fluoride as environmentally-related illnesses continue to plague coal-rich central and western regions, the Ministry of Health said Monday.
Information to be monitored includes the management of arsenic and fluorine-rich coal mines, the progress of old furnace replacements and local people’s environmentally-related illnesses, according to a statement released Monday on the ministry’s website.
Fluorosis often results in yellow teeth, twisted spines, aching joints and deformed leg bones while long-term consumption of arsenic can lead to skin cancer and even death.
The coal-burning poisoning results mainly from cooking ranges as many rural households use arsenic and fluorine-rich coal as their major cooking fuel.
Since most clay stoves in central and western regions don’t have chimneys, there’s no way for the poisonous contents to vent. It’s concentrated in the smoke from cooking, so people breathe it. It also contaminates what is being cooked on the stove. »» China to monitor endemic arsenic, fluoride poisoning
BOLTS WORLD TOUR-UPDATE
The world’s fastest man could light up Melbourne in October if an ambitious plan to bring Usain Bolt to Australia comes to fruition.
It’s all a part of Bolt’s planned world tour. The Jamaican hopes the global trip — following the world championships in Germany this month — will elevate him to the sort of iconic status enjoyed by Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.
Bolt, who lists former Australian opener Matthew Hayden as one of his sporting heroes, has already agreed to visit Africa, China and the Middle East on his world tour and is reportedly stoked to include Australia.
AS THOUGH BERLIN WERE NOT ENOUGH
Bolt will race rival Tyson Gay at Brussels on September 4, Gay’s manager told Reuters on Wednesday.
“It will likely be a 100 (meters) but it is confirmed they will race,” Mark Wetmore said in a telephone interview.
Discussions also are under way for the two to race in Zurich on August 28. The distance is to be determined. »» AS THOUGH BERLIN WERE NOT ENOUGH
Heath Ledger-directed music video released online
Nineteen months after Heath Ledger’s sudden passing, his directorial debut of Modest Mouse’s music video for “King Rat” has been released online at WeAreTheMasses.com. The song is a bonus track from their 2007 album, “We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.”
The animated indie collaboration concludes with a dedication to Heath which reads, “This began with our friend, a great defender of life, and was completed in his spirit.” »» Heath Ledger-directed music video released online
Hollywood film director John Hughes dies at 59
Hollywood film director and writer John Hughes, who made a series of adolescent comedies like “Home Alone” and “The Breakfast Club,” died Thursday of a heart attack in New York City. He was 59.
Hughes’ spokeswoman Michelle Bega said he died of a heart attack during a morning walk in Manhattan. He was in New York to visit family. »» Hollywood film director John Hughes dies at 59
Japanese police seek to arrest missing actress Sakai
Japanese police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of missing actress Noriko Sakai on suspicion of violation of the stimulant drugs control act, local media reported Friday.
The arrest warrant came following the detention of her husband Yuichi Takaso over drug possession earlier this week.
Sakai, 38, who made her debut in 1986 in a TV drama, was popular in Asia in the 1990s. »» Japanese police seek to arrest missing actress Sakai
