The Middle East, War & Oil
Iran Clock Is Ticking
By Robert Parry, Consortium News
Wednesday 31 January 2007
While congressional Democrats test how far they should go in challenging George W. Bush's war powers, the time may be running out to stop Bush from ordering a major escalation of the Middle East conflict by attacking Iran.
full article here.
Israel may have misused cluster bombs, says U.S.
Last Updated: Monday, January 29, 2007 | 2:10 PM ET
CBC News
Israel may have violated an agreement with Washington by using American-made cluster bombs during last summer's war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, the U.S. State Department said Monday.
full article here.
Democrats Try to Increase Leverage Over Iraq Policy
By Kate Zernike, The New York Times
Saturday 27 January 2007
Washington - Representative Steny H. Hoyer, the House majority leader, said Friday that Congress might consider legislation revising the authorization it gave President Bush in 2002 to use military force in Iraq.
full article here.
Bush Slashes Aid to Poor to Boost Iraq War Chest
By Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK
Tuesday 06 February 2007
President George Bush is proposing to slash medical care for the poor and elderly to meet the soaring cost of the Iraq war.
Mr Bush's $2.9 trillion (£1.5 trillion) budget, sent to Congress yesterday, includes $100bn extra for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for this year, on top of $70bn already allocated by Congress and $141.7bn next year. He is planning an 11.3% increase for the Pentagon. Spending on the Iraq war is destined to top the total cost of the 13-year war in Vietnam.
full article here.
America "Poised to Strike at Iran's Nuclear Sites" From Bases in Bulgaria and Romania
By Gabriel Ronay, The Sunday Herald UK
Sunday 28 January 2007
Reports suggest that "US defensive ring" may be new front in war on terror.
President Bush is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of April and the US Air Force's new bases in Bulgaria and Romania would be used as back-up in the onslaught, according to an official report from Sofia.
full article here.
Exxon Record Profits Also Shows Company Took Less Profit in Run-Up to the Election
Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights | Press Release
Friday 02 February 2007
Exxon, Shell and Marathon Oil slashed fourth quarter refining margins to temporarily lower pump prices, group says.
Washington - Exxon set the record for the largest annual corporate profit of $39.5 billion last year even with a 4% decline in fourth-quarter profit resulting in part from an 18% drop in refining margins, according to the company's profit report today. Shell, the world's second largest oil company, set a company record earning $25.4 billion in 2006 but also announced a 23% decline in refining margins. Pump prices have increased dramatically in recent years following industry wide increases in refining margins.
full article here.
Harper, Dion both profess support for Israel
Updated Tue. Feb. 6 2007 9:59 PM ET
Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper painted his political rivals as fairweather friends of Israel and said he will stand by the Jewish state even if costs him politically.
full article here.
By Robert Parry, Consortium News
Wednesday 31 January 2007
While congressional Democrats test how far they should go in challenging George W. Bush's war powers, the time may be running out to stop Bush from ordering a major escalation of the Middle East conflict by attacking Iran.
full article here.
Israel may have misused cluster bombs, says U.S.
Last Updated: Monday, January 29, 2007 | 2:10 PM ET
CBC News
Israel may have violated an agreement with Washington by using American-made cluster bombs during last summer's war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, the U.S. State Department said Monday.
full article here.
Democrats Try to Increase Leverage Over Iraq Policy
By Kate Zernike, The New York Times
Saturday 27 January 2007
Washington - Representative Steny H. Hoyer, the House majority leader, said Friday that Congress might consider legislation revising the authorization it gave President Bush in 2002 to use military force in Iraq.
full article here.
Bush Slashes Aid to Poor to Boost Iraq War Chest
By Ewen MacAskill, The Guardian UK
Tuesday 06 February 2007
President George Bush is proposing to slash medical care for the poor and elderly to meet the soaring cost of the Iraq war.
Mr Bush's $2.9 trillion (£1.5 trillion) budget, sent to Congress yesterday, includes $100bn extra for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for this year, on top of $70bn already allocated by Congress and $141.7bn next year. He is planning an 11.3% increase for the Pentagon. Spending on the Iraq war is destined to top the total cost of the 13-year war in Vietnam.
full article here.
America "Poised to Strike at Iran's Nuclear Sites" From Bases in Bulgaria and Romania
By Gabriel Ronay, The Sunday Herald UK
Sunday 28 January 2007
Reports suggest that "US defensive ring" may be new front in war on terror.
President Bush is preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities before the end of April and the US Air Force's new bases in Bulgaria and Romania would be used as back-up in the onslaught, according to an official report from Sofia.
full article here.
Exxon Record Profits Also Shows Company Took Less Profit in Run-Up to the Election
Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights | Press Release
Friday 02 February 2007
Exxon, Shell and Marathon Oil slashed fourth quarter refining margins to temporarily lower pump prices, group says.
Washington - Exxon set the record for the largest annual corporate profit of $39.5 billion last year even with a 4% decline in fourth-quarter profit resulting in part from an 18% drop in refining margins, according to the company's profit report today. Shell, the world's second largest oil company, set a company record earning $25.4 billion in 2006 but also announced a 23% decline in refining margins. Pump prices have increased dramatically in recent years following industry wide increases in refining margins.
full article here.
Harper, Dion both profess support for Israel
Updated Tue. Feb. 6 2007 9:59 PM ET
Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper painted his political rivals as fairweather friends of Israel and said he will stand by the Jewish state even if costs him politically.
full article here.
