Free Republic

SACRAMENTO - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday is expected to sign into law the United States' first state cap on greenhouse gas emissions, after striking a deal with legislative Democrats that brought California and the governor global publicity. But even before the bill is signed, the law's future is in doubt. Federal lawsuits related to greenhouse gas issues, involving California, Vermont and Massachusetts, could cloud California's latest attempt to be a leader in the fight against global climate change. At the heart of California's attempt to curb the gases believed responsible for global warming are state auto regulations that are...

JERUSALEM - Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said Monday he was ready for a summit with Ariel Sharon (news - web sites), but only if the Israeli premier agreed to move on some tough Palestinian demands, including halting the construction of a West Bank security barrier. Sharon said he would not accept preconditions for a summit, and the dispute threatened hopes for a decisive effort to end three years of violence and jump-start the stalled "road map" peace plan. Momentum seemed to be building in recent days toward such a push after the main Palestinian militant groups agreed to a...