AFP - US President George W. Bush announced on Saturday restrictions on imported gasoline had been suspended in response to Hurricane Ike, which disrupted operations at Gulf Coast oil refineries and prompted gas price-gouging in southeastern states.

AP - A massive Hurricane Ike ravaged southeast Texas early Saturday, battering the coast with driving rain and ferocious wind gusts as residents who decided too late they should have heeded calls to evacuate made futile calls for rescue.

LiveScience.com - As Hurricane Ike pummels the Texas coast, the only thing standing in the way is a thin stretch of land called Galveston.

AP - It's not the best-researched global-warming theory, but it could be the most horrifying to certain fans of college football: Environmentalists said Friday that climate change might push the growing range of Ohio's iconic buckeye tree out of the state, leaving it for archrival Michigan.

AFP - Japan has given Kyoto University a patent for groundbreaking stem cell research in what is believed to be a world first for such scientific research, officials said Friday.

AFP - UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Friday touted his commitment to promoting alternative energy sources by commuting to work aboard a fully solar-powered taxi.

AFP - Officials pleaded Friday with thousands of diehard residents of the Texas coast to flee to escape "certain death" as powerful Hurricane Ike bore down on Houston, the fourth largest US city and a major oil hub.

AP - Amid the engines' roar, the Air Force Reserve pilots and navigator worked calmly as their huge plane neared the eyewall of Hurricane Ike.