Environment

Large tornado hits south of Oklahoma City, one death

  (REUTERS) A large and violent tornado hit an area south of Oklahoma City on Monday, causing at least one death and reducing at least three homes to splinters. The hardest-hit areas were about 70 to 80 miles southeast of Oklahoma City, where a tornado reported to be more than a mile wide ripped through the area. One person was killed in Garvin County, about 60 miles south of Oklahoma City, when a home was […]

Drought takes toll at Palau’s famed Jellyfish Lake

A severe drought in Palau is killing marine life at the island nation’s popular Jellyfish Lake, researchers say, forcing tourism operators to cancel trips to the unique Pacific destination. The lake near the capital Koror normally provides a tranquil, otherworldly experience for tourists, mostly from China, who snorkel and float among throngs of non-stinging, golden jellyfish. But with the tiny nation of 18,000 in the grip of its worst drought on record, scientists last month […]

Chilean surfing star on quest to save hometown coast

by Giovanna FLEITAS Ramon Navarro is one of the world’s top big-wave surfers, but this fisherman’s son still has a place in his heart for the spot where he learned his trade — a stretch of Chilean coastline he is now fighting to save. Navarro, a wiry 37-year-old with the deeply tanned face of those who have spent their lives on the sea, is from Punta de Lobos, a remote, rocky stretch of coast in […]

Largest ever lion airlift

Thirty-three lions removed from circuses in Peru and Colombia will be in Africa by next week, after spending years in South America. Two dozen of the lions were rescued from Peruvian circuses during surprise raids organised by Animal Defenders International (ADI) that says they were living in deplorable conditions. ADI President Jan Creamer said the scope of the operation sends a clear message to people around the world. “This is a hugely important rescue mission […]

INC conducts clean up drive in Eastern Canada

The Iglesia ni Cristo members in Eastern Canada are giving back to the community by conducting a clean up drive. The “Clean Toronto Together” activity is an annual city-wide initiative of keeping Toronto clean and green. The city holds the event every April. Camille Enriquez and Monica de Jesus reports.

What you need to know about the Islamic State group

https://youtu.be/II_X8QUeUEs Vidoegraphics explaining the origins of the IS organisation, videographics by AFP TV   Islamic State took control of Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul, before declaring a caliphate across Iraq and Syria. The Jihadist organisation and its leader, Abu Bakr al­Baghdadi, took the world by surprise. But the group has existed under various names for more than a decade, born during the US­led invasion of Iraq which ousted Saddam Hussein in 2003. Jordanian Abu Musab […]

Europe launches environmental satellite

The European Space Agency launched a satellite on Monday (Aprli 25) to track the progress of global warming, as part of its Copernicus project. The Sentinel-1B joins its identical twin, Sentinel-1A, in orbit to deliver information for various services, from monitoring ice in polar seas to tracking land subsidence, the ESA said. It will also respond to disasters such as floods. Both satellites carry an advanced radar that images Earth’s surface through cloud and rain […]

Solar-powered plane lands in California after Pacific crossing

MOUNTAIN View, United States (AFP) — Solar Impulse 2, an experimental plane flying around the world without consuming a drop of fuel, has landed in California, one leg closer to completing its trailblazing trip. “The Pacific is done, my friend. I love it, but it’s done,” said clearly relieved Swiss adventurer Bertrand Piccard, who piloted the craft from Hawaii to California, just before landing late Saturday. “It’s great to be in California, the land of […]

German scientists seek way to end live chick shredding

by Mathilde RICHTER In a basement of Dresden University, German scientists are busy refining a technique that could save millions of fluffy chicks from being shredded to death moments after they hatch. The young hatchlings are usually condemned to a violent end simply because they are male, as roosters are deemed largely useless in the world of livestock farming. Not only are they unable to lay eggs, their meat is not particularly popular. Male chicks […]

Wind Power! The windmills of Pililla, Rizal

QUEZON City, Philippines (April 24) – Other than providing a great backdrop for photos, what can these windmills in Pililla, Rizal,  possibly be useful for? As it turns out, these windmills are actually very important. They are part of the Alternative Energy initiative of the government of the Philippines. The Philippines is no stranger to wind power. For years, the windmills in Bangui, Ilocos Norte reigned supreme and was a popular tourist spot. But aside from […]

China, US join record UN signing of Paris climate deal

    by Carole Landry UNITED Nations, United States (AFP) — A record 175 countries, including the world’s top polluters China and the United States, signed the Paris climate deal Friday, boosting hopes of quick action on combating global warming. French President Francois Hollande was the first leader to put his signature to the accord during a ceremony at the United Nations, followed by leaders from island-states hardest hit by climate change. US Secretary of State […]