2012 doomsday prophecy false, says Canadian archeologist

TORONTO - A Canadian archaeologist has debunked the prophecy that the world will come to an end in December 2012.

German government plans financial support with aim to see 1 million electric cars by 2020

BERLIN — Germany launched a campaign Wednesday to put 1 million electric cars on the road by 2020, making battery research a priority as it tries to position the country as a market leader.

Energy Dept lends $8B to Ford, Nissan, Tesla to develop fuel-efficient vehicles, retool plants

DEARBORN, Mich. — Cultivating the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Obama administration said Tuesday it would lend $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and about $2.1 billion to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc. in a government-industry partnership to build green cars.

Officials to recognize selection of Cheyenne as site of GE coal research plant

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Construction of a $100 million research plant to refine and improve technology on turning coal into clean-burning natural gas will start next year with the goal of having the plant up and running by late 2012, officials said.

Government to lend Ford, Nissan, Tesla $8B to develop fuel-efficient vehicles, retool plants

DEARBORN, Mich. — The Energy Department said Tuesday it would lend $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and provide about $2.1 billion in loans to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc., making the three automakers the first beneficiaries of a $25 billion fund to develop fuel-efficient vehicles.

Spokesman: Attention to SC Gov. Mark Sanford’s secretive vacation will bring him home early

COLUMBIA, S.C. — After a political mystery — “Where in the World is South Carolina’s Governor?” — Mark Sanford’s aides said he was stunned by all the fuss over his five-day absence and would cut short a secretive hike along the Appalachian Trail.

Power minister seeks coal linkages, clearances for new plants

NEW DELHI - Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde Tuesday asked the coal and environment ministries for coal linkages and quick environmental clearance for upcoming power projects.

Nissan to mass produce ‘affordable’ electric cars in 2012

YOKOHAMA, Japan — Nissan Motor Co. said Tuesday its electric vehicles will be affordable, setting sights on the potentially lucrative market with a plan to mass produce zero-emission cars globally from 2012.

Ozone protecting HFCs may increase global warming

WASHINGTON - A new research has suggested that hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are good for protecting the ozone layer from destruction, could increasingly contribute to global warming.

AP source: Government to lend Ford, Nissan, Tesla money to develop fuel-efficient vehicles

WASHINGTON — A congressional official says the Energy Department is lending $5.9 billion to Ford Motor Co. and providing about $2.1 billion in loans to Nissan Motor Co. and Tesla Motors Inc. from a $25 billion fund to develop fuel-efficient vehicles.

Crews begin work on world’s deepest underground science lab in quest to understand dark matter

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Far below the Black Hills of South Dakota, crews are building the world’s deepest underground science lab at a depth equivalent to more than six Empire State buildings — a place uniquely suited to scientists’ quest for mysterious particles known as dark matter.

Judge: NYC’s effort to force purchase of hybrid taxis is pre-empted by federal law

NEW YORK — A federal judge has blocked New York City’s latest attempt to force taxicab owners to buy fuel-efficient hybrids.

Truck explodes near Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, killing more than 60 people

BAGHDAD — A truck bomb exploded as worshippers left a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq on Saturday, killing at least 63 people and wounding nearly 200 in the deadliest bombing in nearly two months.

Truck explodes near Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, killing at least 55 people, police say

BAGHDAD — A truck bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq following prayers, killing at least 55 people and wounding nearly 200, police said, making it the deadliest blast in nearly two months.

Truck bomb explodes near Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, killing 30 people, police say

BAGHDAD — A truck bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq following prayers, killing at least 30 people and wounding dozens, police said.

Medvedev: Washington must ease Russian concern about missile defense to proceed with nuke cuts

AMSTERDAM — Russia is ready for deep cuts of strategic nuclear weapons in a new deal with the United States if the U.S. eases Moscow’s concerns about plans for a missile defense system, President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday.

Truck bomb explodes near Shiite mosque in northern Iraq, killing 25 people, police say

BAGHDAD — A truck bomb exploded near a Shiite mosque in northern Iraq following prayers, killing at least 25 people and wounding dozens, police said. The attack highlighted fears of more violence as U.S. troops face a June 30 deadline to withdraw from urban areas.

Iraqi leader says US withdrawal from cities by June 30 is a ‘big victory’ for the nation

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister says the withdrawal of U.S. troops from urban areas by the end of this month will be a “big victory” for the nation.

Analysis: Obama’s popularity may be threatened by federal deficit now approaching $2 trillion

WASHINGTON — The solid armor of President Barack Obama’s popularity may have a crack — a nearly $2 trillion-sized one.

Iraq unveils findings of prison abuse investigation, dozens of police officers face charges

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s interior minister said Tuesday more than 40 police officers face charges after an investigation into prison abuse found inmates incarcerated without warrants and others with their rights violated.

AP INTERVIEW: HHS Secretary Sebelius says coverage for all could take years to phase in

WASHINGTON — Covering the uninsured could take several years, even if Congress passes a bill and President Barack Obama signs it into law this fall, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday.

Bangladeshi experts to visit controversial Indian dam project

DHAKA - A Bangladeshi team of parliamentarians and water experts is to visit an Indian dam construction project to assess its possible ecological effects on the country, a parliamentary panel said Tuesday.