Maysak weakens but thousands being evacuated in Philippines
Manila (AFP) April 4, 2015 -
Around 24,000 coastal residents of the Philippines were being evacuated as a precaution from approaching Tropical Storm Maysak on Saturday, officials said, even as experts downgraded the threat from what was at one point a super typhoon.
Maysak, which days earlier hit several small islands in the Pacific Ocean, has weakened into a 115-kilometre (71-mile) an hour storm, state weather forecast ...
more
California unveils historic water restrictions over drought crisis
Los Angeles (AFP) April 1, 2015 -
California announced sweeping statewide water restrictions for the first time in history Wednesday in order to combat the region's devastating drought, the worst since records began.
Governor Jerry Brown issued the declaration at a press conference in a parched, brown slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains that would normally be covered by deep snow.
"Today, we are standing on dry grass wh ...
more
Researchers map seasonal greening in US forests, fields, and urban areas
Asheville NC (SPX) Apr 05, 2015 -
Using the assessment tool ForWarn, U.S. Forest Service researchers can monitor the growth and development of vegetation that signals winter's end and the awakening of a new growing season. Now these researchers have devised a way to more precisely characterize the beginning of seasonal greening, or "greenup," and compare its timing with that of the 14 previous years. Such information helps land ...
more
In the poisonous breath of sleeping volcanos
Jena, Germany (SPX) Apr 05, 2015 -
The "Villa trans lacum" at the eastern shore of the Laacher See (lake) in the volcanic part of the Eifel - a rural landscape in Germany - was a highly dangerous place. In the 19th century the Jesuit order bought the abbey Maria Laach and built a villa at the shore of the lake.
This is where the friars congregated to pray far away from everyday life. But numerous Jesuits paid with their liv ...
more
Oxygen-depleted oceans had key role in mass extinction over 200M years ago
Southampton UK (SPX) Apr 05, 2015 -
Changes in the biochemical balance of the ocean were a crucial factor in the end-Triassic mass extinction, during which half of all plant, animal and marine life on Earth perished, according to new research involving the University of Southampton.
The study, published in the upcoming edition of Geology, reveals that a condition called 'marine photic zone euxinia' took place in the Panathal ...
more
Woodside Petroleum closes on Apache grab
Perth, Australia (UPI) Apr 3, 2015 -
More than $2 billion was spent on acquiring liquefied natural gas assets in Australia from Apache Corp. and more deals are expected, Woodside Petroleum said.
Woodside announced it closed on a $2.8 billion deal with Apache to take on a minority stake in the Wheatstone LNG project and a majority interest in the Julimar-Brunello gas project.
The deal was announced first in December. ...
more
Zhou Yongkang: oil man whose well of power finally ran dry
Beijing (AFP) April 3, 2015 -
Former top Communist Zhou Yongkang rose through China's state oil industry to become the country's internal security chief - and amassed so much power, according to analysts, that he brought about his own downfall.
Zhou was charged Friday with bribery, abuse of power and intentional disclosure of state secrets following his arrest and expulsion from the Communist Party in December.
His ...
more
