Nature & Environment
Environment ministers prepare for UN climate change summit
Copenhagen - Some 40 environment ministers gathered Monday in Copenhagen for preparatory talks ahead of the UN climate change conference that opens next month in the Danish capital. Ministers from key emitting countries including the United States...
Heavy snow storms in northern China kill 40
BEIJING — Unusually early snow storms in north-central China have claimed 40 lives, caused thousands of buildings to collapse and destroyed almost 500,000 acres (200,000 hectares) of winter crops, the Civil Affairs Ministry said Friday.
Floods kill 18 in southern Thailand
More than a dozen people have died in southern Thailand where days of flood and mudslides have affected more than 300,000 residents.
15 people die in flooding in southern Thailand
Floods caused by heavy rains have claimed 15 lives in southern Thailand, officials said Monday.
Indonesia's quake kills one, wounds 88
A powerful quake of 6.7 on Richter scale in West Nusa Tenggara province on Monday has killed one person, wounded 88 others and damaged hundreds of houses, the Health Ministry said here.
US Senate panel passes climate change bill
WASHINGTON — A key Senate panel on Thursday passed a sweeping climate change bill despite a boycott of deliberations by Republicans opposed to the measure.
Full climate deal unlikely by Copenhagen - Barroso
A full-fledged international climate deal to fight global warming will not be reached next month in Copenhagen but a framework pact is still possible, the head of the European Commission said on Tuesday.
Oily Aussie protesters in bikinis oppose spill in Timor Sea
Protesters in Perth's CBD have smeared oil over their bikini-clad bodies to protest against the oil spill in the Timor Sea, leaking for more than two months.
Typhoon Mirinae on track to hit flooded Manila
MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Mirinae, the fourth cyclone to wallop the Philippines in a month, was barreling toward the capital of Manila, where some districts are still submerged by recent massive flooding, forecasters said Friday.
UN signals delay in climate change treaty
UNITED NATIONS — Just weeks before an international conference on climate change, the United Nations signaled it was scaling back expectations of reaching agreement on a new treaty to slow global warming.
World's largest striped giant soft-shelled turtle debuts
Thailand has unveiled a giant striped soft-shelled turtle believed to be the world's largest at the Chiang Mai Zoo Aquarium’s exhibit tunnel in this northern province.
1,200 called to fight fire near Santa Cruz
SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAINS -- More than 1,000 firefighters raced into the Santa Cruz Mountains on Sunday as a wind-whipped blaze burning in rugged canyons threatened dozens of homes in the same community that was devastated by flames last year.
Yosemite bears know big picnics come in minivans
YOSEMITE — There are plenty of luxury cars and shiny SUVs parked in Yosemite National Park, but it's no surprise to federal officials that the humble minivan is the vehicle of choice for bears who want a midnight snack.
Obama Presses Case for Renewable Energy
BOSTON — Taking aim at business interests that have lobbied against an energy and climate bill moving through Congress, President Obama urged lawmakers on Friday to rally around the push toward using more renewable energy.
British Science Museum unveils climate change map showing impact of 4C rise
The British government today raised the political stakes on climate change when it published a new map of the world that details the likely effects of a failure to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Europe offers to cut emissions 95% by 2050 if deal reached at Copenhagen
Europe attempted to reassert its international leadership in the fight against global warming today, offering to slash its greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% by 2050 and by 30% by 2020 if a climate change pact is sealed in Copenhagen in six wee...
Thailand sets up nursing home for elderly elephants
BANGKOK - Thailand has set up its first nursing home for elderly elephants in Lampang province, already the home of two elephant hospitals, media reports said Tuesday.
Gordon Brown Says 5 Billion Tons of Carbon Cuts Needed by 2020
Leaders need to find up to 5 billion tons of additional greenhouse-gas cuts by 2020 to help limit temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said.
US Energy Secretary Chu hopeful about climate bill
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said on Monday he was still hopeful President Barack Obama would be able to sign a domestic carbon-cutting bill before a crunch global climate meeting in Copenhagen in December.
Floods affecting Thailand nationwide
Floods are continuing in varied areas of Thailand, with critical needs in some areas due to more overflowing torrents, while the national weather service warned that the weather system from China now covers the North and Northeast.