Category : Environment

Kansas City area hit by floods after three days of downpour

(Reuters) - The Kansas City area was flooded late Friday after a three-day downpour, forcing emergency services to conduct about 10 water rescues in Missouri's largest city, officials said.

Tropical Storm Gaston expected to become hurricane Saturday: NHC

(Reuters) - Tropical Storm Gaston is expected to become a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory.

Tropical Storm Madeline forms east of Hawaiian Islands: NHC

(Reuters) - Tropical storm Madeline has formed in the northern Pacific ocean, well east-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory on Friday.

Italy quake death toll hits 284 on day of mass funeral

ASCOLI PICENO, Italy (Reuters) - The number of people killed in an earthquake that has wrecked parts of central Italy rose to 284 on Saturday, as the country started a day of mourning and prepared for a mass funeral for some of the victims.

Pacific Tropical Storm Lester now a hurricane: NHC

(Reuters) - Tropical Storm Lester has developed an eye and is now a hurricane as it moved west in the Pacific Ocean away from the mainland of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in an advisory on Friday.

Brazil climate pledge questioned after ethanol snub

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Biofuel and climate experts have questioned Brazil's commitment to a plan to cut carbon emissions by raising ethanol use after the country's government this week said it planned to scrap a tax break on the biofuel.

NHC says 30 percent chance of cyclone between Cuba, central Bahamas

(Reuters) - A weak area of low pressure located between the northeastern coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas has a 30 percent chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Friday.

Foreign seed firms rally behind Monsanto in Indian alliance

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Major international seed companies in India formed an alliance on Friday, seeking the support of their peers after a flurry of regulatory steps in recent months by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Japan holds largest quake drill

Over four thousand people participated in a largest-scale earthquake drill in the center of Tokyo on Friday (August 26), simulating a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hitting the nation's capital.

Foreign seed firms team up to oppose new India GM crop rules

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Major international seed companies formed an alliance on Friday to oppose a proposal by India that would force them to share their genetically modified crop technology with local players.

Smoke from Indonesian fires hits 'unhealthy' level in Singapore

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) - Air pollution in Singapore rose to the "unhealthy" level on Friday as acrid smoke drifted over the island from fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

Number of dead in Italy quake climbs, first funerals to be held

AMATRICE, Italy (Reuters) - The number of people killed in an earthquake that flattened parts of central Italy rose to 267 on Friday as rescue workers pulled more bodies from mounds of debris and families prepared to hold the first funerals.

Acrid smoke from Indonesian fires drifts over Singapore

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Air pollution in Singapore rose on Friday as acrid smoke drifted over the island from fires on Indonesia's Sumatra island, the city-state's National Environment Agency (NEA) said.

China seeks to assuage consumer fears over GMO foods

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's agriculture ministry said it would back new laws on genetically modified (GMO) food labeling "at a suitable time" as it seeks to assuage public concerns over safety, but added that current laws protect consumers.

Obama expands Hawaii marine reserve in final push on climate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama will dramatically expand the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument off the coast of Hawaii on Friday, the White House said, an action that will ban commercial fishing from more than 582,500 sq m...