Philippine leader OKs pollution act MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Philippine President Joseph Estrada signed a landmark Clean Air Act into law Wednesday despite lobbying by businesses and oil companies that complained the law would increase their costs. Air pollution in the Southeast Asian country has already reached alarming levels, according to the Asian Development Bank. "In the long run, this will be good for our government and our people, especially the poor," Estrada said. The three major Philippine oil companies - Petron Corp., Pilipinas Shell, and Caltex Philippines - estimated they will spend at least $158 million to upgrade their refineries to meet the new air standards. A key feature of the law is a ban on the use of incinerators. Biomedical waste incinerators now in operation will be phased out over three years. Only cremation and agricultural burning practices, already covered by existing laws, will continue. The environmental group Greenpeace described the law as an "environmental milestone." ### Update: Senate panel cuts money for parks WASHINGTON (AP) - In twin blows to environmentalists, a Senate panel decided Tuesday to cut a high-profile proposal by President Clinton for buying parkland and to limit an effort to restrict waste dumping at some hard-rock mines. The provisions were included in a $13.9 billion measure financing the Interior Department and federal land and cultural programs for the coming fiscal year. The bill was approved by voice vote by a subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The action came as word circulated that the Congressional Budget Office next week will project that for the first time in decades, there will be a fiscal 2000 surplus on the non-Social Security side of the federal budget. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560035089-d70> Wild horses causing trouble in N.C. CURRITUCK, N.C. (AP) - Wild horses have been raiding lawns, garbage cans and a produce stand among vacation homes on one of the islands of the Outer Banks, and officials are trying to figure out what to do. The islands are home to about 30 horses, believed to be descendants of mustangs left behind by Spanish explorers. A fence running across Bodie Island, the northernmost island in North Carolina's Outer Banks chain, is supposed to keep them away from neighborhoods around the town of Corolla. However, a mare and a stallion named Little Red Man have repeatedly led their colt and four other horses on raids to the south side of the fence. The horses were corralled last week and officials and conservationists are trying to find them a permanent home. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560046297-51f>
