World briefs 1/26/07

Calif. enacts ban on dry-cleaning chemical

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California regulators on Thursday enacted the nation's first statewide ban on the most common chemical used by dry cleaners, pleasing environmentalists but worrying some small businesses. By 2023, no more dry-cleaning machines that use the toxic solvent perchloroethylene, a potential carcinogen, will be permitted in the state. Environmental and health advocates urged the board to accelerate the ban because of the chemical's health effects. The solvent has contaminated one in 10 wells in California.

Employers of illegal immigrants face penalty

WASHINGTON -- Federal contractors caught hiring illegal immigrants would be banned from government work for up to a decade under sanctions the Senate added unanimously to a minimum-wage bill. The Senate's action Thursday, pushed by Republican senators, was this Congress' first foray into immigration regulation, and it prompted an outcry of opposition from business groups. By a vote of 94-0, the Senate approved an amendment by Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., that would impose a contract ban on companies, even if they inadvertently hired illegal workers, from seven to 10 years.

Justice Dept. wants spying lawsuit dropped

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration sought on Thursday to drop its appeal of a federal court ruling that concluded the government's domestic spying program is unconstitutional, saying the entire issue is moot since the surveillance now is monitored by a secret court. Responding, lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union said they would continue to push for their day in court since President Bush retains authority to continue the warrantless spying program.

Damage to brain region may erase urge to smoke

WASHINGTON -- A longtime smoker, a patient code-named Nathan simply forgot his two pack-a-day addiction after a stroke. He had no cravings, no desire to quit. His experience inspired research that suggests damage to a silver dollar-sized spot deep in the brain can wipe out the urge to smoke. The surprising discovery may shed important new light on addiction. The finding, reported in today's edition of the journal Science, points scientists toward new ways to develop anti-smoking aids by targeting this little-known brain region called the insula. And it sparked excitement among addiction specialists who expect the insula to play a key role in other addictions, too.

Venezuela may ask U.S. ambassador to leave

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Chavez to United States: Shape up or ship out. President Hugo Chavez warned Thursday that the U.S. ambassador could be asked to leave the country if he continues "meddling in Venezuela's affairs." The outspoken Venezuelan leader lashed out after William Brownfield said U.S. companies and investors must receive a fair price for their shares of Venezuela's largest telephone company when it is nationalized.

China reports fastest growth in a decade

BEIJING -- China reported Thursday that its sizzling economy grew at its fastest rate in a decade last year as the government struggled to contain the strains of an export-driven boom. The economy grew by 10.7 percent, moving China closer to overtaking Germany as the world's third-largest, according to figures issued by the government. It was the fastest rate since 1995, when the economy expanded by 10.9 percent.

Strokes often missed with traditional scans

LONDON -- The most common method of diagnosing a stroke in the emergency rooms catches only about one out of every four cases -- far fewer than an MRI scan, which also was better at spotting the type of stroke, a U.S. government funded study showed. The study led some experts, writing in the medical journal The Lancet, to declare that MRI scans should replace CT X-rays as the standard of care. The journal published the stroke study in Friday's issue.

-- From wire reports