Farmers’ Almanac predicts cold winter

Farmers’ Almanac predicts cold winter

LEWISTON, Maine — People worried about the high cost of keeping warm this winter will draw little comfort from the Farmers’ Almanac, which predicts below-average temperatures for most of the U.S.

“Numb’s the word,” says the 192-year-old publication, which claims an accuracy rate of 80 percent to 85 percent for its forecasts that are prepared two years in advance.

The almanac’s 2009 edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, says at least two-thirds of the country can expect colder-than-average temperatures this winter, with only the Far West and Southeast in line for near-normal readings.

“This is going to be catastrophic for millions of people,” said almanac editor Peter Geiger.

Gas prices drop 15 cents nationally in two weeks

CAMARILLO, Calif. — A national survey shows gas prices have dropped 15 cents a gallon in the last two weeks.

The average price of a gallon of regular gasoline at self-serve stations was $3.70 Friday. Mid-grade was at $3.83 and premium was at $3.95. That’s according to the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations nationwide, released Sunday. Diesel was at $3.82.

The California average was $3.94, down 16 cents from two weeks ago. Gas was cheapest in St. Louis, Mo., at $3.37 for a gallon of regular. It was most expensive in Anchorage, Alaska, at $4.34.

Despite the drop, gas nationally was almost 95 cents higher than a year ago. Prices so far this summer peaked July 11 at $4.11 for a gallon for regular.

68 killed in plane crash

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — A passenger jet carrying 90 people, including a Kyrgyz high school sports team, crashed shortly after takeoff Sunday near the Kyrgyz capital, killing 68, government officials said.

The Boeing 737 was headed to Iran when it crashed near Bishkek’s Manas International Airport, said government spokeswoman Roza Daudova. Twenty-two people, including two crew members, survived the accident.

Earlier, Daudova, had said there were at least 71 dead and 25 survivors, but she later gave lower figures.

An airport official said the crew reported a technical problem about 10 minutes into the flight and that the plane was returning to the airport when it crashed. The official said she was not authorized to give her name.

Iran’s supreme leader defends Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s top leader strongly backed the nation’s embattled president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, praising him for “standing up” to the West and urging him to plan for a second four-year term, state media reported Sunday.

The comments by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei represent unusually glowing praise of the president, who upon his election in 2005 sparked a confrontation with the West by resuming uranium enrichment and vociferously denouncing Israel.

It is the first time that Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters in Iran, has expressed such strong support for any other Iranian politician.

“Do not think that this year is your final year. No. Work as if you will stay in charge for five years. In another words, imagine that in addition to this year, another four years will be under your management, and plan and act accordingly,” IRNA quoted Khamenei as saying Sunday.

Pakistan ruling coalition faces deadline on judges

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s ruling coalition was at risk of collapsing today if its junior partner carries out a threat to quit unless judges ousted by ex-President Pervez Musharraf are restored immediately.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who heads the second-largest party in the coalition, set a deadline today for reinstating the judges, a response to the surprise announcement that federal and provincial lawmakers will select the new president Sept. 6.

Asif Ali Zardari, head of the Pakistan People’s Party and widower of the party’s assassinated leader, Benazir Bhutto, agreed Saturday to run for the presidency.

The political instability has Pakistanis and their foreign backers, including the United States, worried that the government is too distracted to tackle rising Islamic militancy and serious economic problems.

Associated Press