AP – Residents from two towns in an expanded exclusion zone around Japan’s damaged nuclear power complex were adjusting to life in evacuation centers Monday after leaving their homes on government orders.
AP – Oil prices fell to near $98 a barrel Monday in Asia amid investor concern soaring U.S. fuel costs are undermining crude consumption.
AP – Economists are dialing back their expectations for U.S. economic growth this year.
AFP – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he has temporarily assumed the duties of the oil ministry, as the oil cartel OPEC prepares for a biannual meeting in Vienna.
AP – Oil giant BP could announce as early as Monday that it plans to buy out the Russian partners in its joint venture TNK-BP Ltd., according to a story posted Sunday night by the Wall Street Journal.
AFP – The remote valley of Mesohori in northeastern Greece seems an unusual choice for a stand against genetically modified crop conglomerates who are knocking on Europe’s door.
Reuters – A sharp retreat in oil prices has lent fresh credibility to Federal Reserve officials’ predictions that the spike in energy and commodity prices would be a passing phenomenon.
ContributorNetwork – A gas supply in Western Pennsylvania seems unlikely according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Disruptions in the gasoline supply chain caused some headaches around the region over the past few weeks; some gas stations even briefly ran out of fuel. The shortage stems from pipeline breakdowns, power outages, and even flooding the Southern United States, which affects transportation of the fuel.
Reuters – A ministerial panel is to decide on hiking fuel prices next week, local media reported on Sunday, a day after state-run oil firms raised petrol prices by a record amount as the government risks fuelling high inflation as it battles to bolster public finances.
Reuters – Sudan said on Sunday the northern ruling party won an election for governor in the north’s main oil state after a vote the south said was rigged, creating a fresh flashpoint before the south secedes in July.
