Free Republic

<p>SAN FRANCISCO ­ West Coast docks sped toward renewed labor unrest today as shipping lines accused longshoremen of staging work slowdowns after their union expressed frustration over contract talks by urging members to work "in strict accordance" with safety regulations. Longshoremen began staging slowdowns this afternoon in Oakland, as well as Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., according to Pacific Maritime Association, which represents shipping lines and terminal operators.</p>

Countries relying on oil, tourism suffer after attacks on United States CAIRO: As the world prepares to commemorate Sept. 11, Arabs states and Iran published figures this week showing the damage inflicted by the terror attacks on their oil- and tourism- dependent economies. Reassuring remarks by regional oil producers on supply in case of US attacks on Iraq made the other economic news headlines in the Middle East. The US threats to attack Iraq have bent the petroleum prices curb upward, the market fearing a disruption of Middle East oil supply. An official from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries...