Politics and Economics Headlines – 26 August, 2005

Damaged wells cut Ecuador oil pumping by half / Ecuador Government, Provincial Leaders Await Oil Companies Response / Chávez taunts US with oil-for-poor offer / Two fingers to America / Chávez seeks influence with oil diplomacy / Oil Fat Cats vs. Hugo Chavez / Nigerian plan brings threat of petrol price rise / Killing the dollar in Iran / Iran in the Crosshairs / GM, Ford Motor Debt Ratings Cut to Junk by Moody’s / Stagger on, weary Titan / Bankruptcies in U.S. surge to record high

Environment Headlines – 26 August, 2005

US states bypass Bush to tackle greenhouse / Panel Sees Growing Threat in Melting Arctic / U.S. judge OKs global warming suit on
Agencies’ financing overseas energy projects / Water, Water Everywhere… / Is extreme weather down to climate change? / No reversal seen in pace of Arctic melting / Needed: A Global Survival Movement / Study predicts world population growth / Climate
Model Links Higher Temperatures to Prehistoric Extinction

Intelligence Brief: French Energy Policy

After explaining why the present oil crisis is destined to last, French Prime Minister de Villepin launched a new strategy of national energy independence and technological innovation. The policy has three pillars: 1) massive investment in energy policy, beginning with the oil sector 2) renewable energy (hydroelectricity and bio-fuels, together with nuclear power) 3) energy savings.

Politics and Economics Headlines – 25 August, 2005

China’s Kazakh prize / Chinese takeaway is going nowhere / Is natural gas China’s next oil? / Implications of Oil Price Super Spike for the U.S. and Saudi Arabia / The fuel behind Iran’s nuclear drive / Chavez Now in the International Spotlight / US Fuel efficiency plan targets SUVs, except the biggest / New auto standards fuel debate / Guzzling the order of the day / Fuel hardy / Republicans Eye Offshore Drilling in U.S. Budget Bill