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1 BP well stays shut despite ‘seepage’

AFP

2 hrs 17 mins ago

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) – The US government authorized BP on Monday to keep the busted Gulf of Mexico oil well shut in for another 24 hours despite gas seepage that could indicate the wellbore is damaged.

BP wants to keep the valves on its containment cap closed continuously until an operation to permanently seal the well can be performed in less than two weeks time, meaning no more toxic crude would stream into the Gulf.

But those hopes were dealt a blow on Sunday when the government raised concerns about “the detection of a seep near the well and the possible observation of methane over the well.”

2 BP ordered to draft new plan after oil seepage

by Allen Johnson, AFP

Mon Jul 19, 8:14 am ET

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) – The US government ordered BP to submit an emergency plan for reopening its capped Gulf of Mexico oil well after experts detected seepage from the surrounding seabed.

Tensions emerged as the government’s pointman on the worst environmental disaster in US history also told the energy giant to report swiftly on a “detected seep” and “anomalies” near the well.

BP — which said the bill from the leak had risen to 3.95 billion dollars — had earlier acknowledged some bubbles appeared near the wellhead but expressed optimism that the cap installed three days earlier could stay on.

3 Major step seen in quest for anti-HIV vaginal gel

by Richard Ingham, AFP

35 mins ago

VIENNA (AFP) – Scientists on Monday reported a major stride towards a vaginal gel that can thwart HIV, a goal that would be of huge benefit to African women bearing the brunt of the AIDS pandemic.

A prototype cream tested in South Africa curbed the risk of infection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by 39 percent overall, but by 54 percent among those women who used it most consistently, they said.

The study coincided with the six-day 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, where leading campaigners responded with cheers leavened with some caution.

4 Boeing, Airbus win orders worth over 23 billion dollars

by Ben Perry, AFP

1 hr 5 mins ago

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom (AFP) – Rivals Boeing and Airbus scooped up orders for new planes worth 23 billion dollars on Monday from airlines and leasing firms seeking to meet soaring Asian demand for air travel.

The Farnborough International Airshow took off with a rush of firm orders for 192 short and long-haul passenger jets worth a total of 23.3 billion dollars (18 billion euros).

The biggest single order came from Dubai airline Emirates for 30 Boeing long-range 777 aircraft worth a combined 9.1 billion dollars.

5 Contador stuns Schleck as Voeckler wins 15th stage

by Justin Davis, AFP

1 hr 12 mins ago

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France (AFP) – Alberto Contador signalled his yellow jersey intentions in defiant style after sensationally attacking Andy Schleck on Monday when the Luxemburger suffered a mechanical problem.

French champion Thomas Voeckler handed the hosts their fifth success of the race after soloing to victory on the 15th stage, finishing nearly three minutes ahead of the race favourites.

However, as he raced away to victory on the 21.5km descent from the Port de Bales climb, all the race drama was going on behind him.

6 In Gabon, papyrus plants imprison communities

by Ousmane Niapa, AFP

Mon Jul 19, 12:02 pm ET

LAC ANENGUE, Gabon (AFP) – Villagers around Gabon’s Lake Anengue are being cut off from the world by papyrus reeds that harm their jobs, hinder navigation and have already caused many people to leave.

“This is like a prison in the middle of the forest, when the entrance to the lake is blocked up,” bemoaned a fisherman, Douglas, as he repaired his nets. “Some villages have been depopulated. Farmers and fishermen have left for other parts of the province.

“Anengue has lost its reputation as the food store for Port Gentil,” the oil city on Gabon’s southern Atlantic coast, Douglas said.

7 S.Africa’s Oosthuizen wins British Open golf title

by Allan Kelly, AFP

Mon Jul 19, 5:43 am ET

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AFP) – Rank outsider Louis Oosthuizen won the British Open on Sunday, capturing golf’s biggest prize by a stunning seven strokes with an accomplished display of front-running.

It was the biggest winning margin in the world’s oldest and most prestigious tournament since Tiger Woods won here by eight strokes in 2000.

The 27-year-old South African, a 200-1 betting shot on Wednesday, started the day on 15-under par, four strokes ahead of England’s Paul Casey and with the rest of the field already left trailing in his wake.

8 Moody’s downgrades Ireland debt rating

AFP

Mon Jul 19, 8:25 am ET

DUBLIN (AFP) – Moody’s slashed Ireland’s credit rating on Monday, saying that the former Celtic Tiger has lost its roar because of radical state action to fight debt and rescue banks.

The top rating agency said it has downgraded cut Ireland’s rating by one notch to Aa2, blaming high debt levels, weak economic growth prospects and the huge cost of bailing out the troubled banking sector.

“Moody’s Investors Service has today downgraded Ireland’s government bond ratings to Aa2 from Aa1,” the group said in an official statement, but added that it had upgraded its outlook to stable from negative.

9 Moody’s cuts Ireland on bank, growth worries

By Marie-Louise Gumuchian and Andras Gergely, Reuters

1 hr 47 mins ago

DUBLIN (Reuters) – Moody’s cut Ireland’s credit rating on Monday, warning the country still faces a slow climb out of recession after nearly two years of austerity as the cost of rescuing its banking sector mounts.

The rating agency’s one-notch drop to Aa2 came a day ahead of a scheduled sale of up to 1.5 billion euros of Irish debt, putting Moody’s on par with rival agency Standard and Poor’s AA rating and still one grade above Fitch.

The downgrade, which a minister said provided no surprises but which briefly weakened the euro against the dollar and hit European stocks, prefaced a sale of six- and 10-year bonds worth between 1 billion and 1.5 billion euros at Ireland’s regular monthly auction.

10 Obama says Republicans playing politics with jobless

By Steve Holland, Reuters

Mon Jul 19, 1:44 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama accused his Republican opponents on Monday of playing election-year politics by refusing to join with Democrats in approving an extension of U.S. jobless benefits.

Obama, under pressure to reduce the 9.5 percent U.S. jobless rate, sought to direct some of Americans’ frustration over the sputtering economy toward the Republicans, who are hoping for big gains in November 2 congressional elections.

In Rose Garden remarks, Obama said Republicans have opposed a $34 billion extension of benefits for the unemployed in this instance but had voted for such an extension when Republican President George W. Bush had asked for them.

11 AIDS gel with Gilead drug protects women in study

Reuters

52 mins ago

VIENNA (Reuters) – A gel containing a prescription drug can sharply reduce HIV infections in women, a study described as groundbreaking by the World Health Organization showed on Monday.

The gel, containing Gilead Sciences AIDS drug tenofovir, reduced HIV infections in women by 39 percent over two and a half years — the first time such an approach has protected against sexual transmission of the virus.

The findings, presented at an international AIDS conference in Vienna, were described as “groundbreaking” by the World Health Organization and the United Nation’s AIDS group (UNAIDS).

12 A $12 billion leasing spree lifts air show

By Tim Hepher and Ben Berkowitz, Reuters

48 mins ago

FARNBOROUGH, England (Reuters) – Aircraft leasing firms made a major comeback on Monday, as industry veteran Steve Udvar-Hazy dropped $4 billion on A320s and former arch-rivals at General Electric doubled his efforts.

General sentiment at the Farnborough Airshow, the industry’s largest gathering, was that the lessors’ flurry of activity proved the industry was starting a meaningful recovery from recession.

“2011-2012 is the time when the rising tide will lift all ships,” Bombardier Commercial Aircraft President Gary Scott told reporters.

13 Afghanistan plans ambitious vision for the future

By Sayed Salahuddin, Reuters

Mon Jul 19, 10:28 am ET

KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan will seek greater control of billions in development funds at a major international meeting on Tuesday, promising in return to take on more responsibility for security as well as generate economic growth.

The ambitious pledges will be made at the Kabul Conference, where President Hamid Karzai will plead for more say in $13 billion in international funding to use on programs he hopes will boost economic growth and help end the insurgency.

With governments anxious to withdraw from the 150,000-strong NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) sooner than later, they are keen too for assurances the country won’t slide back into the isolation that allowed al Qaeda to flourish and launch the September 11, 2001 attacks.

14 China seals oil port after spill

By Chen Aizhu and Ben Blanchard, Reuters

Mon Jul 19, 12:06 pm ET

BEIJING (Reuters) – One of China’s biggest ports, Dalian, shut on Monday after an pipeline explosion triggered a major offshore oil spill, forcing a refinery to cut processing and importers to divert cargoes elsewhere.

The aftermath of the weekend fire could disrupt shipments of oil, iron ore and soy and add to pressure for stricter environmental standards in China, already reeling from a toxic copper mine leak in the south of the country which burst into headlines last week amid accusations of a cover up.

The fire began on Friday while a crude oil tanker was being off-loaded.

15 U.S. sends Guantanamo detainees to Algeria, Cape Verde

By Adam Entous, Reuters

24 mins ago

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Monday it had transferred two men held at its military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for nearly 8 years to Algeria and Cape Verde, and rights groups said the one sent home to Algeria was transferred against his will and could be abused there.

The transfers announced by the Pentagon of Abdul Aziz Naji to Algeria and Abd-al-Nisr Mohammed Khantumani to the island of Cape Verde in West Africa bring the number of remaining detainees at Guantanamo to 178, down from 245 when U.S. President Barack Obama took office last year.

Naji’s case has been closely watched because he is the first detainee to be involuntarily repatriated by the Obama administration, according to Human Rights Watch. Other detainees who feared persecution at home were resettled in “safe” third countries, the group said.

16 Gulf forecast: Cloudy with a chance of tar balls

By JESSICA GRESKO, Associated Press Writer

Mon Jul 19, 6:02 am ET

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Call it cloudy with a chance of tar balls.

TV forecasters along the Gulf Coast have been adding a new ritual to their daily weather lineup – predicting the path of oil spewing from the Deepwater Horizon rig. But predicting the oil’s movement is proving more difficult than predicting sunshine or showers.

“It’s the biggest challenge in forecasting simply because it’s all new,” said Jason Smith, a meteorologist at the Fox 10 station in Mobile, Ala. “I’ve tracked a lot of hurricanes, but this is the first oil spill I’ve had to track.”

17 Fishing families turn to fast food, ‘grind meats’

By VICKI SMITH, Associated Press Writer

Mon Jul 19, 5:43 am ET

POINTE A LA HACHE, La. – Grow up on the water, the children of southern Louisiana learn, and you’ll never go hungry. As long as you can toss a line, a net or a trap, you can eat – and eat well.

Or you could, until now.

Millions of gallons of oil from the April 20 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig have fouled some of the world’s richest fishing grounds from Florida to Texas, and even though BP stopped the leak for the first time Thursday, more than a third of the Gulf of Mexico remains closed. For thousands who feed their families from the water, what once seemed like a never-ending, free buffet of high-protein, low-fat shrimp, crabs, oysters and fish is off limits.

18 Syria bans full Islamic face veils at universities

By ALBERT AJI and ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY, Associated Press Writers

11 mins ago

DAMASCUS, Syria – Syria has forbidden the country’s students and teachers from wearing the niqab – the full Islamic veil that reveals only a woman’s eyes – taking aim at a garment many see as political.

The ban shows a rare point of agreement between Syria’s secular, authoritarian government and the democracies of Europe: Both view the niqab as a potentially destabilizing threat.

“We have given directives to all universities to ban niqab-wearing women from registering,” a government official in Damascus told The Associated Press on Monday.

19 Abortion foes win a round in health overhaul

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer

51 mins ago

WASHINGTON – Abortion foes have won a round in the first test of how President Barack Obama’s health care law will be applied to the politically charged issue.

Meanwhile, traditional allies of the administration are grumbling about a decision to ban most abortion coverage in insurance pools for those unable to purchase health care on their own.

The Catholic bishops “welcome this new policy,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, although he added the organization remains concerned that other parts of the health care overhaul will promote abortion.

20 RI, Ariz. immigrant measures diverge on key points

By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Writer

17 mins ago

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Supporters of Arizona’s new illegal immigration law have in recent weeks cited Rhode Island as a state where police have been quietly carrying out comparably tough enforcement without a court challenge from the Obama administration.

But in Rhode Island, both sides of the debate agree that the executive order issued by Gov. Don Carcieri in 2008 is far less sweeping than the Arizona law, which takes effect this month.

Comparisons of the two approaches are intended to rationalize the law in Arizona, generally more conservative than Rhode Island, by suggesting it’s already more or less in place in a heavily Democratic state, said Steven Brown, a leading critic of the governor’s order and executive director of the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union.

21 Gun permit allows quick access to Texas Capitol

By JAY ROOT, Associated Press Writer

1 hr 20 mins ago

AUSTIN, Texas – Everyone from lobbyists to lawyers and journalists is rushing to get permits to carry guns inside the Texas Capitol, where legislators already often tote pistols in boots and purses or stow them away inside their desks.

A unique loophole in a new security procedure means a gun permit is like a special-access pass into the domed building, allowing people who are certified to carry a gun to bypass lines at the metal detectors that were set up after a shooting incident earlier this year.

“Nobody wants to be the one standing in line behind three hundred kids wearing the same colored T-shirt,” said University of Texas political scientist Jim Henson. “If you’re trying to get in and out really quick and there’s going to be choke points, well, people don’t want to have to deal with that.”

22 AIDS breakthrough: Gel helps prevent infection

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE, AP Medical Writer

7 mins ago

For the first time, a vaginal gel has proved capable of blocking the AIDS virus: It cut in half a woman’s chances of getting HIV from an infected partner in a study in South Africa. Scientists called it a breakthrough in the long quest for a tool to help women whose partners won’t use condoms.

The results need to be confirmed in another study, and that level of protection is probably not enough to win approval of the microbicide gel in countries like the United States, researchers say. But they are optimistic it can be improved.

“We are giving hope to women,” who account for most new HIV infections, said Michel Sidibe in a statement. He is executive director of the World Health Organization’s UNAIDS program. A gel could “help us break the trajectory of the AIDS epidemic,” he said.

23 Stores push summertime ‘Christmas’ sales

By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO, AP Retail Writer

2 hrs 25 mins ago

NEW YORK – Santa in the summer?

Retailers are pumping still more energy this year into trying to get shoppers to loosen their purse strings early for Christmas with sparkly ornaments, holiday music and special prices. In July.

Target Corp. is entering the game for the first time, with a one-day online sale starting Friday on 500 items from clothing to Blu-ray disc players that’s modeled after sales typically held Thanksgiving weekend. And Sears and Toys R Us are dramatically promoting “Christmas in July” online based on the success they saw in last year’s efforts.

24 Chain, and gloves, off in Tour de France showdown

By JAMEY KEATEN, Associated Press Writer

53 mins ago

BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France – The gloves have come off at the Tour de France.

Andy Schleck was fighting mad after dropping his chain during a tough climb Monday and then losing the overall lead when defending champion Alberto Contador unabashedly sped ahead to take the yellow jersey.

“He can be nervous for the next days … this gives me anger,” said Schleck, vowing revenge. “I’m not the one who will get chased any more, I’m the one who chases. That’s a big difference.”

25 Louie Who scores another win for South Africa

By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP National Writer

Mon Jul 19, 6:22 am ET

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – The South Africans have a new soundtrack of success. The drone of the vuvuzela has been succeeded by the skirl of the bagpipe.

One week after beaming in pride at its historic hosting of soccer’s World Cup, the nation torn apart by apartheid just a generation ago had another reason to stick out its chest: Louis Oosthuizen won the British Open in a dominating romp. On Nelson Mandela’s 92nd birthday, no less.

A white Afrikaner with a black caddie on his bag crossed over the Swilcan Bridge, tapped in the last putt and lifted the claret jug.

26 Homebuilders losing confidence in the recovery

By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

Mon Jul 19, 12:39 pm ET

WASHINGTON – Homebuilders are feeling increasingly pessimistic about their industry, more evidence that the economic recovery is slowing.

The National Association of Home Builders said Monday that its monthly reading of builders’ sentiment about the housing market sank to 14 – the lowest level since March 2009. Readings below 50 indicate negative sentiment about the market.

The weak job market and an increasing number of foreclosed properties have prompted builders to limit construction of new homes. A modest revival in sales over the past year ended in May after federal tax credits expired at the end of April.

27 In US cities, HIV linked more to poverty than race

By MIKE STOBBE, AP Medical Writer

Mon Jul 19, 6:23 am ET

ATLANTA – Poverty is perhaps the most important factor in whether inner-city heterosexuals are infected with the AIDS virus, according to the first government study of its kind.

The study, released Monday, suggests that HIV is epidemic in certain poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods. And, more significantly, poor heterosexuals in those neighborhoods were twice as likely to be infected as heterosexuals who lived in the same community but had more money.

Federal scientists found that race was not a factor – there were no significant differences between blacks, whites or Hispanics.

28 Air show kicks off with small flurry of orders

By JANE WARDELL and ANDREW KHOURI, Associated Press Writers

Mon Jul 19, 1:07 pm ET

FARNBOROUGH, England – Boeing Co. and European arch rival Airbus racked up billions of dollars worth of aircraft sales at the Farnborough International Airshow on Monday, raising hopes that the aviation industry has touched the bottom of a deep two-year downturn.

But the horizon remains clouded – major European airlines, which are still haunted by recession, mostly kept their hands in their pockets as Middle Eastern carriers and U.S. plane leasing firms made purchases to build up their fleets.

The optimism also isn’t extending to the defense side of the sector where massive cuts to Western military budgets were the talk of the industry’s premier event.

29 Judge extends order blocking Okla. abortion law

By TIM TALLEY, Associated Press Writer

1 hr 21 mins ago

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma judge granted an injunction Monday blocking enforcement of a state law that would require women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus.

Oklahoma County District Judge Noma Gurich set a pretrial hearing for Jan. 21 and directed that the state not enforce the law, which was passed by legislators this year. A temporary restraining order against the law had been in effect since May.

Gurich handed down the ruling following a brief hearing attended by more than 50 people including about two dozen women in pink tops who are members or supporters of the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice, a grass-roots organization that opposes the law and other anti-abortion measures adopted by state lawmakers in recent years.

30 Calif. tests next frontier of health reform – pets

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ, Associated Press Writer

2 hrs 50 mins ago

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While states across the nation grapple with national health care reform, a new population of patients is gaining attention in California: Fido and Fluffy.

Many feline and canine companions face health care challenges similar to those that confront humans. Veterinary care costs are skyrocketing as pet owners are offered a sophisticated menu of potentially lifesaving services, including kidney dialysis, sonograms and chemotherapy.

U.S. consumers spent more than $12 billion on veterinary care in 2009, according to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

31 World War II Museum features animals of war

By JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press Writer

Mon Jul 19, 11:29 am ET

NEW ORLEANS – Smoky the Yorkshire terrier, Lady Astor the pigeon and a host of horses and mules whose individual stories are lost to history are among war heroes and heroines featured in the latest exhibit at the National World War II Museum.

“Loyal Forces: The Animals of WWII” will run July 22-Oct. 17, featuring the four kinds of animals most often brought into the war, as they were used in all five theaters.

“There was a great love and loyalty between the soldiers and the animals they worked with,” said registrar Toni M. Kiser, who created the exhibit with archivist Lindsey Barnes.

32 Ga. softens once lauded strict sex offender law

By GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press Writer

Mon Jul 19, 3:10 am ET

ATLANTA – Georgia was lauded four years ago by conservatives for passing one of the nation’s toughest sex offender laws. But the state has had to significantly – and without fanfare – scale back its once-intense restrictions.

Georgia’s old law was challenged by civil liberties groups even before it took effect. After losing court battle after court battle, state legislators were forced to make a change or a federal judge was going to throw out the entire law. Now that the restrictions have been eased, about 13,000 registered sex offenders – more than 70 percent of all Georgia sex offenders – can live and work wherever they want.

Previously, all registered sex offenders were banned from living within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and other places where children gather, essentially driving them either to desolate areas or out of state. At one point, a tent city of homeless sex offenders was discovered in the woods behind a suburban office park.

33 Fear of `resegregation’ fuels unrest in NC

By ALLEN G. BREED, AP National Writer

Mon Jul 19, 12:01 am ET

RALEIGH, N.C. – In the annals of desegregation, Raleigh is barely a footnote.

Integration came relatively peacefully to the North Carolina capital. There was no “stand in the schoolhouse door,” no need of National Guard escorts or even a federal court order.

Nearly 50 years passed – mostly uneventfully, at least until a new school board majority was elected last year on a platform supporting community schools.

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  1. in reducing HIV spread. I was reading some of the research reports, very impressive and holds a lot of promise for 3rd world countries where they shun the use of a condom

    1. Invest in rebuilding the aging power grid. They missed the boat big time with that underfunded  and tax give away Stimulus package last year

  2. NYC Heads to Hottest July Ever, Taxing Power Grid

    July 19 (Bloomberg) — If it feels hotter than it’s ever been in New York, that’s because it is.

    New York’s Central Park is heading toward its warmest July on record after two heat waves this month, the National Weather Service reported. Extreme heat pushes aging power systems to their limits, increasing the odds of breakdown, according to grid monitors.

    “The grid system was built a long time ago, and the population has increased dramatically across this part of the country, and energy demand has gone up accordingly,” said Jim Rouiller, a senior energy meteorologist at Planalytics Inc. in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. “July may not be the top, but it is going to be in the top five, and this is over 130 years worth of observation, so it is outstanding heat.”

    Yo, Fox News, what say you now about climate change and global warming? {{crickets}}

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