News Snippets

• A new parody by the US-based
Union of Concerned Scientists kicks off a campaign to counter a Bush administration proposal to revamp fuel economy standards. The animation -- which spoofs the popular ABC reality show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- asks players to work with a team of engineers to design the fuelefficient car of your dreams. It then asks players
to send a letter to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration during the public comment period on
the fuel economy.

• Time magazine's annual "Person of the Year" for 2005 may not be a person. "Mother Nature" topped the unofficial list of nominees at a panel discussion held by the magazine to debate who would its annual issue's cover.