House approves plans for pipeline
WASHINGTON – The Republican-controlled House passed legislation Friday approving the Keystone XL oil pipeline, setting the stage for a Senate showdown that mixes energy politics with a fight over Louisiana’s Senate seat.
The vote was 252-161 in favor of the bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., in an effort to boost his chances to take Louisiana’s Senate seat away from Democrat Mary Landrieu. The two are headed for a Dec. 6 runoff and have been touting their energy credentials in their oil and gas-producing state.
The bill was supported by 221 Republicans, and not a single GOP lawmaker voted against it.
World leaders discuss economy
BRISBANE, Australia – As G-20 summit host Brisbane sweltered through a blistering heat wave, world leaders on Saturday got down to the business of cementing plans to drag a sagging global economy out of the doldrums.
The leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies are under pressure to take definitive action at this year’s summit, rather than simply producing a set of vague, unmeasurable goals.
The International Monetary Fund has warned about a “new mediocre” for the world’s economy, and the G-20 which represents around 85 percent of the global economy has vowed to focus on a plan to add $2 trillion to world GDP.
U.S. President Barack Obama touched down in Brisbane early Saturday to join the other leaders, with talks scheduled to begin in the afternoon.
The summit will conclude on Sunday.
Associated Press
