Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/252862
Keystone XL pipeline clears big hurdle WASHINGTON (AP) — The long-delayed Key- stone XL oil pipeline cleared a major hurdle toward approval Friday, a serious blow to environ- mentalists' hopes that President Barack Obama will block the controver- sial project running more than 1,000 miles from Canada through the heart of the U.S. The State Department reported no major environ- mental objections to the proposed $7 billion pipeline, which has become a symbol of the political debate over cli- mate change. Republicans and some oil- and gas-pro- ducing states in the U.S. — as well as Canada's minister of natural resources — cheered the report, but it further ran- kled environmentalists already at odds with Obama and his energy pol- icy. The report stops short of recommending approval of the pipeline, but the review gives Obama new support if he chooses to endorse it in spite of opposition from many Democrats and envi- ronmental groups. Foes say the pipeline would carry ''dirty oil'' that con- tributes to global warming, and they also express con- cern about possible spills. Republicans and busi- ness and labor groups have urged Obama to approve the pipeline to create thou- sands of jobs and move toward North American energy independence. The pipeline is also strongly supported by Democrats in oil and gas-producing states, including Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Mark Begich of Alaska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas. All face re-elec- tion this year and could be politically damaged by rejection of the pipeline. Republican Mitt Romney carried all three states in the 2012 presidential elec- tion. The 1,179-mile pipeline would travel through the heart of the United States, carrying oil derived from tar sands in western Canada to a hub in Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines to carry more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil a day to refiner- ies in Texas. It would cross Montana and South Dako- ta before reaching Nebras- ka. An existing spur runs through Kansas and Okla- homa to Texas. Evidence contradicts what NJ Gov. Christie said about lane closures TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A former loyalist of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who oversaw lane closings near the George Washington Bridge says there is evi- dence that contradicts what Christie said about the shutdown during a two-hour news confer- ence three weeks ago. In a letter Friday, David Wildstein's lawyer says his client ''contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some.'' Attorney Alan Zegas also says evidence exists that suggests the gover- nor knew about the clo- sures as they happened in September. Christie has given a series of statements about when he learned of the lane closures but has denied knowing of any political motive until early Janu- ary. Wildstein was Christie's No. 2 man at the agency that runs the bridge. He has since resigned. Zegas and Christie's office did not immedi- ately return messages. Nearly 1,900 killed in Syria during Geneva peace talks BEIRUT (AP) — Fight- ing in Syria killed nearly 1,900 people, including at least 430 civilians, during the week of U.N.-hosted peace talks in Switzerland, activists said Friday. The death toll indicates that vio- lence barely paused as the warring parties met but struck uncompromising stances, failing to reach any agreements that could help resolve the conflict. The figures were report- ed by the Britain-based Syr- ian Observatory for Human Rights. Its director, Rami Abdurrahman, said the week's bloody toll was about average at this point in the three-year conflict. The number included at least 430 civilians, killed by bombs, snipers, missiles, and other causes. The rest were rebels and forces loyal to President Bashar Assad. The Observatory obtains its information from activists on the ground, and also keeps a running total. The conference didn't produce any tangible results, although connec- tions made in Switzerland are likely to develop into prolonged negotiations to try to resolve the war. The conflict began as largely peaceful protests against Assad in March 2011, but the uprising since became an increasingly sec- tarian civil war that has killed more than 130,000 people. It has forcibly dis- placed one-third of the entire prewar population of 23 million, including over 2 million who have flooded into neighboring countries. Tens of thousands more are blockaded in rebel-held areas, where Assad loyalists prevent food and aid from entering to break their resis- tance. Obama now open to legalization in immigration legislation WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama's new declaration that he's open to legaliz- ing many immigrants short of citizenship sounds a lot like House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders, an election-year compromise that numerous Republi- cans as well as Democrats crave. But the drive for the first overhaul in three decades still faces major resistance from many Republicans who are wary that the divisive issue could derail what they see as a smooth glide path to winning Novem- ber's congressional elec- tions. And they deeply distrust the Democratic president to enforce the law. Just hours after Boehn- er pitched immigration to the GOP at a Maryland retreat, Obama suddenly indicated he would be open to legal status for many of the 11 million living here illegally, drop- ping his once-ironclad insistence on a special path to citizenship. Democrats, including Obama, and other immi- gration proponents have warned repeatedly about the creation of a two-tier class system. ''If the speaker propos- es something that says right away, folks aren't being deported, families aren't being separated, we're able to attract top young students to provide the skills or start business- es here, and then there's a regular process of citizen- ship, I'm not sure how wide the divide ends up being,'' Obama said in a CNN interview that was recorded Thursday and aired Friday. Powder mailed to sites in NY, Super Bowl not dangerous NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — A suspicious powder mailed to several loca- tions in New York and New Jersey, including at least five hotels near the site of Sunday's Super Bowl, appears not to be dangerous, the FBI said Friday. The agency said fur- ther testing was being conducted on the sub- stance, but it is ''within normal values.'' White powder also was found in a letter sent to former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giu- liani's business in New York City, where police said preliminary tests showed it posed no threat. A federal law enforce- ment official, who wasn't authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said powder from one envelope tested positive for baking soda. It's not clear where that letter was sent. Hackensack University Medical Center received a number of people for evaluation because they came in contact with the letters, but a hospital spokeswoman said there were no reported illnesses or injuries. Ukraine opposition activist's story of torture fuels fears about extrajudicial torture squads KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The bloody images of Ukrainian opposition sup- porter Dmytro Bulatov, who says he was abducted and tortured for more than a week, have fueled fears among anti-government activists that extrajudicial squads are being deployed to intimidate the protest movement. Bulatov, who was in charge of a vocal protest group before he disap- peared Jan. 22, recounted a gruesome ordeal, saying his unidentified kidnap- pers beat him, sliced off part of his ear and nailed him to a door during his time in captivity. ''There isn't a spot on my body that hasn't been beaten. My face has been cut. They promised to poke my eye out. They cut off my ear,'' Bulatov, 35, said Friday in a short video from his hospital ward. ''They crucified me by nailing me to a door with something and beat me strongly all the while.'' 2C Daily News – Saturday, February 1, 2014 Landscape/Fence Steve's Tractor & Landscape Service • Fence Building • Landscaping • Trenching • Rototilling • Disking • Mowing • Ridging • Post Hole Digging • Blade Work • Sprinkler Installation • Concrete Work Cont. Lic. #703511 Steve Dyke 385-1783 Construction Burrows Construction Remodel, New Additions, Siding Repair and Replacement, Water and Dryrot Damage Specialist, New Construction Foundation to Finish Ph: (530) 515-9779 Residential • Commerical PATIOS • DECKS REFRENCES Lic#824770 Blinds Need Blinds? C A L L P A U L 527-0842 North State Blinds & Draperies www.nsbd.biz Lic.#906022 Paul Stubbs Contractor When you want it done right ... HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR! Complete directory of Tehama County contractors online, listed by specialty on www.RedBluffDailyNews.com Click on 2011 Contractors Guide under "Special Sections" Landscaping (530) 566-7951 ★ LAWN SERVICE ★ WEED EATING ★ HEADING ★ GUTTER CLEANING ★ TREE TRIMMING ★ FIRE BREAKS Scott West HONEST & DEPENDABLE Green again landscaping In Print Every Tuesday - Thursday - Saturday Online: Publishes 24/7 www.redbluffdailynews.com Three additional online locations at no extra cost! Print and On-Line HOME SERVICES DIRECTORY Full Size $ 112 Per Month No early cancellation, non-refundable TWO SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM Half Size $ 67 .50 Per Month Building Construction R. G. SIDES Your Repair & Remodeling Expert • Room Additions • Framing • Full Service Concrete Work and Foundations • Electrical Work, New and Repairs • Plumbing Work • Drywall Installation • Tape/Texture • Trim/Crown Molding • Doors & Hardware • Windows & Skylights • New Roof Comp. • Concrete Work, Colored Overlays • Retaining Wall, Concrete or Block • Masonry Work • Fences • Buildings • Small Jobs • Tile Work, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Counter Tops, Floors, Shower Pans & Walls Lic.#639360 Office 530-527-7256 Cell # 530-209-9999 Clock Repair 20910 Pebblestone Dr. Red Bluff 530-736-7079 Grandpa's Clocks Jim Paul Call for appt. Your Clock Repair Shop Member NAWCC Mechanical, Battery and Electrical clocks Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information Construction FREE ESTIMATES 530 949-6162 CA LIC#914460 A l l e n s C o n s t r u c t i o n House Remodel / Specialist Rental Turnovers / Repairs Bathroom Remodels / Tile Painting • Electrical • Plumbing • Drywall Repairs • Fences • Decks • Concrete • Garages Quality at a reasonable price Advertisement If this was your Service Directory ad customers would be reading it right now!! Call us at 527-2151 For more information Heating & Air 528-0723 CA Lic #751534 Service - Installation - Repairs I will beat all Competitors Pricing! Fremont Able Construction HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING Tree Service Certified line clearance tree trimmers *Specializing in hazardous tree removals *Beautification/Canopy Lift Trimming & Pruning * Firebreaks Free Estimates ~ Senior Discounts 5 Millon dollar insurance coverage Voted #1 Tree Service in Tehama County We can beat any licensed contractor prices! Call for a bid (530) 736-9327 License #879689 900 Jackson St. • 527-1833 Lic. #0530362 Home Auto Farm Commercial www.andy4ins.com ANDY HOUGHTON Insurance Agency Motorcycle Boat RV Life 530-366-3166 545 Adobe Rd. Red Bluff www.redbluffdodge.com WORLD BRIEFING