In the news…

Compiled from wire reports

Venezuela slams Robertson for remarks

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela’s vice president accused religious broadcaster Pat Robertson on Tuesday of making “terrorist statements” by suggesting that American agents assassinate President Hugo Chavez. Vice President Jose Vicente Rangel said Venezuela was studying its legal options, adding that how Washington responds to Robertson’s comments would put its anti-terrorism policy to the test.

Kilgore v. Kaine: Coming to a TV near you

Democratic and Republican nominees for governor tentatively agreed Tuesday to a televised statewide debate in October.
Some differences remained open to negotiation by both Republican Jerry W. Kilgore’s campaign and that of Democrat Timothy M. Kaine, including the date of what is likely to be the only broadcast encounter between the two men of the campaign.
The debate will be held at the Richmond studios of WWBT-TV, jointly sponsored by the television station and the University of Virginia Center for Politics, and moderated by the center’s director, political science professor Larry J. Sabato.

Bush: Iraq Withdrawal Would Weaken U.S.

DONNELLY, Idaho — President Bush charged Tuesday that anti-war protesters like Cindy Sheehan who want troops brought home immediately do not represent the views of most U.S. military families and are “advocating a policy that would weaken the United States.”
In brief remarks outside the resort where he is vacationing, Bush gave no indication that he would change his mind and meet with Sheehan after he returns to his Texas ranch Wednesday evening. Sheehan lost a son in Iraq and has emerged as a harsh critic of the war.
Israel completes historic withdrawal

SANUR, West Bank – Israeli soldiers cleared two militant strongholds Tuesday without major violence, completing the country’s historic evacuation of 25 settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank — the first time Israel has abandoned Jewish communities in lands the Palestinians claim for their future state.
About 6,000 troops — armed with riot gear, circular saws, water hoses and wirecutters — were mobilized to overwhelm the last stand against the pullout in the West Bank settlements of Sanur and Homesh. The resistance was staged largely by 1,600 Israelis from other locations — some of them youths known for their extremism and rejection of the Israeli government’s authority.

Bush: Light SUVs must improve efficiency

The Bush administration proposed new fuel economy standards for pickup trucks, minivans and some sport utility vehicles on Tuesday, calling upon automakers to make modest improvements to gas mileage amid rising prices at the pump. The plan, announced by the Department of Transportation in Atlanta, would require the auto industry to raise standards for most light trucks beginning in 2008 and to be completed by 2011. The largest SUVs, such as the Hummer H2, and cars would not be affected by the plan.