Agence France-Presse: The United States was poised to adopt measures to reduce its dependence on foreign oil after the Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would raise fuel efficiency rules for vehicles and boost ethanol production. The bill won overwhelming support from both parties in 86-8 vote but only after the Democratic majority dropped disputed provisions that would have cut billions of dollars worth of tax breaks to oil companies. The majority also removed a requirement that 15 percent of …