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8A Daily News – Saturday, December 31, 2011 WORLD BRIEFING Fuels are top US export NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time, the top export of the United States, the world's biggest gas guz- zler, is — wait for it — fuel. Measured in dollars, the nation is on pace this year to ship more gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel than any other single export, according to U.S. Census data going back to 1990. It will also be the first year in more than 60 that America has been a net exporter of these fuels. Just how big of a shift is this? A decade ago, fuel wasn't even among the top 25 exports. And for the last five years, America's top export was aircraft. The trend is significant because for decades the U.S. has relied on huge imports of fuel from Europe in order to meet demand. It only reinforced the image of America as an energy hog. And up until a few years ago, whenever gasoline prices climbed, there were complaints in Congress that U.S. refiners were not grow- ing quickly enough to satis- fy domestic demand; that controversy would appear to be over. Still, the U.S. is nowhere close to energy indepen- dence. America is still the world's largest importer of crude oil. From January to October, the country import- ed 2.7 billion barrels of oil worth roughly $280 billion. K W I K K U T S Family Hair Salon $200 REGULAR HAIRCUT off with coupon Not good with other offers 1064 South Main St., Red Bluff • 529-3540 Reg. $13.95 Expires 12/31/11 Romney casts Ron Paul a fringe candidate WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa vic- tory within reach, an increasingly confident Mitt Romney on Friday cast chief GOP presidential rival Ron Paul as a fringe candi- date and said: "I'm working harder than anyone to make sure he's not the nominee." "I don't think Ron Paul represents the mainstream," Romney added, criticism that illustrates an attempt to bloody the Texas congress- man who, like Romney, is in strong contention to win Tuesday's lead-off caucuses. The libertarian-leaning Paul, campaigning on the western side of the state, didn't respond. Romney commented on Paul's candidacy during morning television inter- views after appearing with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie before several hun- dred people outside a gro- cery store near Des Moines. Mindful not to ignore another key state, Romney was dashing to New Hamp- shire later in the day for more appearances and also rolled out a fresh TV ad there. He returns to Iowa on Saturday afternoon and plans to remain in the state through caucus night. It's an indication of just how confi- dent his team has become about possible victory in a state that derailed his candi- dacy four years ago. Syrians hold protests in defiance to Assad BEIRUT (AP) — In the largest protests Syria has seen in months, hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets Friday in a dis- play of defiance to show an Arab League observer mis- sion the strength of the opposition movement. Despite the monitors' presence in the country, activists said Syrian forces loyal to President Bashar Assad killed at least 22 peo- ple, most of them shot dur- ing the anti-government demonstrations. In a further attempt to appeal to the monitors, dissident troops who have broken away from the Syrian army said they have halted attacks on regime forces to reinforce the activists' contention that the uprising against Assad is a peaceful movement. While opposition activists are deeply skeptical of the observer mission, the outpouring of demonstrators across Syria underscores their wish to make their case to the foreign monitors and take advantage of the small measure of safety they feel they brought with them. The nearly 100 Arab League monitors are the first Tehama District Jr. Livestock that Syria has allowed into the country during the upris- ing, which began in March. They are supposed to ensure the regime complies with terms of the League's plan to end Assad's crackdown on dissent. The U.N. says more than 5,000 people have died as the government has sought to crush the revolt. Hundreds of Iraqis celebrate departure of Americans BAGHDAD (AP) — Hundreds of Sunni Muslims gathered in Baghdad Friday to celebrate the withdrawal of American forces, but in a sign of the sectarian divi- sions that re-emerged imme- diately after their departure, Shiite Muslims did not join the event. The celebration took place near the Abu Hanifa mosque, the main house of worship in the pri- marily Sunni neighborhood of Azamiyah in northern Baghdad. To secure the event, Iraqi troops blocked traffic on roads leading to the mosque and searched people approaching the area. During the rally, men and children waved Iraqi flags and raised banners praising those who resisted the U.S. presence in Iraq. "Baghdad is the castle of resistance," one banner read. "The deeds of the heroes are James W. Tysinger, Jr. M.D. Eye Physician & Surgeon Fellow American Academy of Ophthalmology We accept Medical, Medicare & most Insurances Office Hours: Tues-Wed-Thurs 8am-4:30pm Mon & Fri 1pm-4:30pm For Emergencies, After Hours, Week-ends, Call 530-567-5001 345 Hickory St. Red Bluff Tel: (530) 529-4733 Fax: (530) 529-1114 stronger than the weapons of the occupiers," read another banner. Women threw chocolates to the crowd as a sign of joy. In his sermon, the mosque's preacher, Sheik Ahmed al- Taha, accused the Ameri- cans of stirring up sectarian tension among Iraqis. Obama delays petition for $1.2T debt limit increase HONOLULU (AP) — President Barack Obama is delaying his request for another $1.2 trillion increase in the nation's debt limit at the request of congressional leaders. It's basically because of a technicality. The White House had been ready to ask for the increase Friday because the government is within $100 billion of exhausting its cur- rent borrowing authority. Congress would then have 15 days to reject the request, though Obama would veto any objections in order to ensure that the government does not default on its oblig- ations. But with Congress not due to return to Washington until mid-January, a biparti- san group of lawmakers asked Obama to delay his request so they would be in session during the 15-day period allowed for objec- tions. FINDERS KEEPERS Thrift & Antiques 10% OFF* Glassware & Jewelry excluding consignment items expires 12/31/11 All baby items, In the Frontier Village Shopping Center Tue-Sat: 10am-5pm 645 Antelope Blvd. 530 527-7798 "The administration is in discussions with leaders in both houses to determine the best timing for submission of certification and any sub- sequent votes in the two houses," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Friday. Hollywood- area arson spree torches LOS ANGELES (AP) — An arsonist swept through the Hollywood area under the cover of dark early Friday, torching vehicles whose flames ignited nearby houses, including one once occupied by Doors front- man Jim Morrison. The four-hour onslaught started shortly after mid- night and sent firefighters scrambling to douse fires in at least a dozen locations in Hollywood and the neigh- boring city of West Holly- wood. In nearly every case, the fire started in a parked car. Authorities were prepar- ing for possibly another round of fires, while search- ing for a suspect. Dozens of people were rousted from their homes, power was disrupted in sev- eral neighborhoods and Los Angeles police were put on alert in the Hollywood area. One city firefighter was treated and released from a hospital after a fall from a ladder while battling one blaze. No other injuries were reported. BOOK BARN 619 Oak St., Red Bluff (530) 528-Book 2665 HOLIDAY HOURS Open: Tuesday thru Saturday Dec. 27th to 31st Closed: January 3rd-Jan 7th Tuscan Outdoors would like to thank our customers for their continued support and for shopping locally. 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