The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 3 NEWS BRIEFS TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. ! Great Lakes nuke shipment plan stirs environmental fear Environmentalists and some local government officials are pro- testing a Canadian power compa- ny's proposal to haul 16 scrapped generators with radioactive com- ponents across three of the Great Lakes on their way to a recycling plant in Sweden. Bruce Power Inc., based in Kincardine, Ontario, is seeking a license from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for the ship- ment. It would depart from a port on Lake Huron's Owen Sound and also traverse Lakes Erie and Ontario and the St. Lawrence River before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Commission staffers have rec- ommended approval, saying the shipment would pose little if any threat to human health or the envi- ronment. But complaints and ques- tions from the public led the panel to schedule a hearing for Sept. 28-29 in Ottawa. WASHINGTON Obama says gov't remains committed to Gulf recovery President Barack Obama is call- ing the successful "kill" for the blown-out well in the Gulf of Mex- ico a milestone in his administra- tion's response to the disaster that leaked hundreds of millions of gal- lons of oil. The federal government's point man on the response, retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, said Sun- day that tests show BP's well "is effectively dead" and poses no fur- ther threat. Obama said in a statement that his administration remains com- mitted to doing everything possible to ensure that the Gulf Coast recov- ers fully from the disaster. Obama pledged that his adminis- tration will continue to work close- ly with people who live in the Gulf region as they rebuild their liveli- hoods andrestore the environment. UNITED NATIONS France calls on UN to return to pledge to fight poverty The 10-year-old promise to lift the world's poorest is unfulfilled and with world economies claw- ing back from the worst recession since World War II, the French president and others implored leaders yesterday not to return to their "old bad habits" of ignoring global poverty. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French leader, was the first to accept U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's challenge for nations to deliver more resources to combat global poverty, ignorance and misery. He pledged to boost France's annual $10 billion contribution to the world's poorest people by 20 percent over the next three years. He urged other leaders to join him. "We have no right to do less than what we have decided to do," Sar- kozy told more than 140 presidents, premiers, princes and a king at the opening of the three-day U.N. Mil- lennium Development Goals sum- mit. "Let us not fall back into our old bad habits." WASHINGTON * Conservative wins not expected to alter Clinton's agenda Secretary of State Hillary Rod- ham Clinton says election wins by supporters of the conserva- tive tea party movement probably wouldn't have much impact on her diplomatic agenda. In an interview for broadcast Sunday on ABC's "This Week," Clinton says that regardless of the outcome of this year's midterm elections, she'll continue to make the case that the international efforts of the White House are in "furtherance of America's inter- est." Clinton says she finds support for national security, defense and diplomatic efforts is bipartisan. Regardless of what someone may say when they're running for office, Clinton says, they "become very sobered, very quickly" about the challenges facing the country, both internationally and domesti- cally, once they take office. - Compiled from Daily wire reports. Promise of Fed. to help . economy boosts stocks Dow Jones average jumps 146 points to its highest close since May 13 NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks rose to their highest level in four months yesterday as hopes grew for more action by the Federal Reserve to prop up the economy. The gains extended the market's rally into a fourth consecutive week. Buying accelerated after the Standard & Poor's 500 index, the market measure most often used by professional traders, . broke through the high end of its recent range. Technical analysts see that as a bullish sign. The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 146 points to its highest close since May 13. An announcement from a group of economists declaring that the recession ended in June 2009 was a mild positive, but that assessment was in line with what many analysts already believed. Deal news also helped lift shares. IBM Corp. said it would buy data storage provider Netez- za Corp. for about $1.7 billion in cash. Investors see acquisitions as a sign companies are more comfortable spending cash to expand, and suggests that other stocks may also become targets rate-setting committee could relaunch programs to buy Trea- surys and mortgage bonds in an effort to stimulate the economy. At the very least, it might hint at future plans. "The Fed will hint at it, put it on the table, but not do anything," predicted Brian Gendreau, a market strategist at Financial Network Investment Corp. A number of economic indi- cators have topped forecasts in recent weeks, propelling stocks higher, but the economy is far from strong. If the Fed starts buying bonds again it could drive interest rates lower, enabling companies and consumers to get cheaper loans. The Fed had a similar bond-buying program in place earlier this year. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 145.77 points, or 1.4 percent, to close at 10,753.62. The Dow has now risen in 12 of the last 14 days. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 17.12, or 1.5 percent, to 1,142.71. The Nasdaq compos- ite rose 40.22, or 1.7 percent, to 2,355.83. The S&P 500 climbed solidly above the key technical level of 1,131, the high end of its recent trading range. The S&P briefly crossed that barrier on Friday for the first time since June 21, but not for long enough to con- vince analysts that the market had enough momentum to surge Five stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where consolidated volume came to 3.9 billion shares. Investors have been encour- aged by better economic reports this month, especially on jobs and manufacturing, to send stocks steadily higher in Septem- ber. The Dow is up 7.4 percent in the month to date, the S&P 8.9 percent. The gains have defied predictions that September would follow a historical pattern of being dismal for stocks. Investors also see hope in a softer stance in recent weeks by President Barack Obama's administration about tax and business-related programs. Keith Goddard, co-manager of the Capital Advisors Growth Fund, said a shift in policy could mean the Bush-era tax cuts will be extended. That would help dividend-paying stocks, which have been in "no man's land" recently because investors are uncertain the tax rate they'll have to pay on the dividends, Goddard said. Extending the tax cuts and announcing other policies like a payroll tax holiday could be "worth a 10 percent move in the stock market," Goddard said. Deal news sent IBM shares up $1.60, or 1.2 percent, to $131.79. Its acquisition target, Netezza, rose $3.67, or 14.9 percent, to $28.27. Ronnie Jamil, owner of Bella Vino Fine Wine and Spirits in Farmington Hills, Mich., holds up a can of Four Loko Cranberry Lemonade alcohol energy drink, left, and Arizona Iced Tea and Mango drink. Alcoholic energy.1 drinks under reviewerby Mi'ch. Labels of stimulant alcoholic drinks scrutinized by state longer - it was something they needed to start to address," said Steven Schmidt, spokesman for the National Alcohol and Bever- age Control Association. Last year the FDA notified for buyers. higher. Bond edged higher as inves- DETROIT (AP) - Got caf- about two dozen alcohol-energy The Fed meets today to discuss Many automatic buy and sell tors await word from the Fed. feine? Got alcohol? drink makers that the agency has interest rates, and investors are orders are set around market The yield on the benchmark If they're blended in the same never specifically approved the hoping for a sign that the central milestones such as these, and 10-year Treasury note, which beverage and sold in stores, then addition of caffeine to alcoholic bank might make more moves to investors watch those levels moves opposite its price, fell to Michigan's Liquor Control Com- drinks. Officials noted a Wake keep rates low. There is a grow- closely for clues about which way 2.70 percent from 2.74 percent mission is looking at the label. Forest University study that stu- ing expectation that the Fed's the market may go next. late Friday. The state regulatory agency dents who combine those ingre- unanimously passed a motion dients are more likely to suffer this month to examine the pack- alcohol-related injuries than aging of flavored alcoholic drinks those drinking alcohol without with caffeine and other stimu- caffeine. U .S . u rg e s I lants. Michigan is among the first Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles states to independently target the Schumer of New York recently " " drinks, which are also under fed- sent a letter to the Federal Trade itt I 131 \.reg 1 tio lseral scrutiny over concerns about Commission urging it to investi- health effects and whether they gate the marketing of the drinks. are marketed to minors. He said the colorful cans are US plans to keep its intentions," U.S. Energy Sec- ing the latest round of Security "We have directed our staff to designed to confuse parents and retary Steven Chu told delegates Council sanctions "unjustified bring to us these alcohol-energy police with labels that resemble pressuring Iran over in Vienna for the IAEA'S General and illegal." drinks that have a stimulant. nonalcoholic energy drinks and Conference. IAEA chief Amano also said We're goingto look at their labels other beverages. nuclear program While Washington remains North Korea's nuclear program and see if they are in any way The Associated Press left mes- committed to pursuing a diplo- remains "a matter of serious con- confusing or misleading," said sages seeking comment from VIENNA (AP) - The United matic solution, Chu said it was cern" and efforts should be made commission chairwoman Nida Chicago-based Phusion Projects States will continue to pressure clear there was a "broad and to resume talks on it. Samona. Inc., maker of Four Loko, and Iran to meet its international growing international consensus The autocratic Asian state "We believe that these prod- La Mesa, Calif.-based United commitments and come clean that will hold Iran accountable if has not permitted the Vienna- ucts sometimes are misleading Brands Co., which makes Joose. about its nuclear program, a it continues its defiance. based watchdog to implement people. ... You've got an upper United Brands Chief Execu- senior U.S. official said Monday "We will continue to pressure safeguards in the country since and a downer all in one package." tive Michael Mikhail has said as diplomats gathered for the the Iranian government to fulfill December 2002 and no inspec- Under the mule, the Liquor the company markets nation- U.N. nuclear agency's annual its international commitments," tors have been allowed in since Control Commission can inform ally through beer distributors meeting. Chu said. April, making it impgsible for a manufacturer if regulators find and targets consumers who can Iran is under four sets of U.N. Washington's strong words inspectors to report > about its labels or packages do not clearly legally drink alcohol. Security Council sanctions for followed similar comments by atomic activities, Amano said. show the presence and percent- Ronny Jamil, who co-owns refusing to stop its uranium the European Union. North Korea walked out of age of alcohol and other stimu- Bella Vino Fine Wine and Spirits enrichment and ignoring other Paul Magnette of Belgium, international talks onrestarting lants. The beverage maker then in the Detroit suburb of Farm- U.N. demands meant to ease whose country currently holds negotiations on its nuclear disar- has 90 days to make changes and ington Hills and three other area global concerns that it is seeking the bloc's rotating presidency, mament last year to protest inter- submit it for approval. stores that sell alcoholic bever- to make atomic weapons. said the EU has urged Iran to national criticism of a long-range "If they don't comply, it comes ages, offers several different vari- Last week, Yukiya Amano, the address the IAEA's concerns rocket launch. off the shelves," Samona said. eties of the alcohol-energy drinks head of the International Atomic and to meet with members of the "I again call on all parties con- Michigan joins such states as and said they can be confusing. Energy Agency, said he cannot international community "with cerned to make concerted efforts California, Montana and Utah "Even when you stand at the confirm that all of Iran's nuclear the ultimate goal of establishing for a resumption of the six-party that have instituted rules or counter, first you think they're activities are peaceful, as Teh- a comprehensive relationship." talks," Amano said. limited access to the category of juice cans - you wouldn't even ran claims, because the country Meanwhile, the head of Iran's Amano also mentioned the drinks often sold in single cans look at them as liquor," Jamil has only selectively cooperated nuclear program, Ali Akbar failure of Iran and Syria to fully containing hip, colorful designs. said. with the U.N. watchdog and has Salehi, said the IAEA was suffer- comply with his agency. Many other sittes have called Jamil said he considers the rejected several nuclear inspec- ing from a "moral authority and "My basic approach has been on the federal government to alcohol content to be appropri- tors. credibility crisis." that all safeguards agreements investigate and are waiting for ately clear and big on the label. "Iran must do what it has thus "Certainly, the uncivilized between member states and the the results of a'health and safety Still, he stocks the alcoholic far failed to do - meet its obliga- double-track approach of threat agency and other relevant obli- study by theV.S. Food and Drug energy drink cans with beer and tions and ensure the rest of the and dialogue ... cannot be condu- gations should be implemented Adminiistration. believes it would lower risks if world of the peaceful nature of cive and fruitful," he added, call- fully," he said. IM)icl sga' couldn't wait any they resembled each other. Thousands flee as Yemeni forces clash with al-Qaida United States aids Yemeni forces in anti-terrorist fight SAN'A, Yemen (AP) - Thou- sands of people have fled a village in southern Yemen where security forces are laying siege to al-Qaida militants, a security official said yesterday, signaling an escalation in the government's U.S.-backed campaign to uproot the terror net- work's local offshoot. Government forces have moved into the village of Hawta with tanks and armored vehicles and 90 percent of its residents have fled, said Abdullah Baouda, police chief for the surrounding district. One family fleeing Hawta said forces have shelled the village indiscriminately for the past two days to flush out the militants. Troops also fired on vehicles of residents fleeing the village and another nearby trouble spot, the city of Lawder, killing two civil- ians and wounding three others, according local government and medical officials. Hawta is in Yemen's moun- tainous Shabwa province, one the areas where al-Qaida in the Ara- bian Peninsula has taken rootover the past year and a half beyond the reach of a weak central govern- ment that has little control beyond the capital. The United States is deeply concerned about the threat from Yemen's al-Qaida branch. The group claimed responsibility for the December attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound airliner, linking the plot to Yemen's cooperation with the U.S. military in strikes on al-Qaida targets. The U.S. has shared intelligence and provided financial aid and training to Yemeni forces, generat- ing backlash among Yemenis who feel their government is too closely allied with America. Around 120 al-Qaida militants are believed to be taking refuge in Hawta, the police chief said. Three militants were killed and four were wounded in the fighting, said the provincial governor, Ali Hassan al-Ahmadi. One anti-ter- rorism officer was injured, he said. "The siege will remain until those elements hand themselves in and we manage to uproot ter- rorist groups from the region," al- Ahmadi said. Soldiers from the anti-terrorism force of the Yemeni Defense Ministry take part in an exercise in a training camp at the Sarif district, north of the capital San'a. For months, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has hammered Yemen's security forces in attacks on checkpoints and other security outposts. The group said in an Internet statement yesterday thatitabduct- ed a senior security official and demanded the release of two of its imprisoned members within 48 hours. Brig. Ali Hossam disap- peared Aug. 26. The group did not say what it would do if its demand was not met. Yemen's government has had trouble gaining control of areas in the south that are under the control of powerful tribes, some sympathetic to al-Qaida and other Islamic militants roaming the area. Yemen is the poorest nation in the Arab world and is beset by other major internal security threats - an on-and-off rebellion on the north and a separate seces- sionist movement in the south.