Coal supplies 56 percent of electricity in the United States . Critics warn that depleting the reserves would leave the United States vulnerable to oil-supply disruptions should the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries retaliate by pumping less oil, war erupt again in the Middle East, Iraq decide to use its oil exports for political gain or an errant hurricane damage key U.S. production facilities. Chinese company that produces abortion pill for U.S. market was cited for violation of federal laws, House committee learns. Nationwide debate rekindled by the Food and Drug Administration's decision to approve the abortion drug mifepristone, RU-486. By a 5-4 vote, the justices said the Boy Scouts can bar homosexuals from serving as troop leader and reject homosexuals as members.
Fires consume the West's forests, showing how poorly politicians manage the environment.
Money to prevent forest fires now ravaging the West went instead to President Clinton's prized lands legacy initiative and to his new national monuments. By a 5-4 vote, the justices said the Nebraska law violates a woman's constitutional right to the destruction of a child while being born.