The European Parliament has backed a ban on cat and dog fur imports, in a move to curb the slaughter of millions of cats and dogs in China.
MEPs say shoppers buy goods made with the fur unknowingly, because exporters attach false labels.
It is used in coats, linings for boots and gloves, stuffed toys, and even homeopathic aids for arthritis.
MEPs have agreed with EU member states on the text of the law, which will come into effect from 31 December 2008.
Earth Changes
Areas worst affected will be the NSW mid-north coast, the Hunter, Sydney, as well as the Illawarra and south coast regions.
Alpine areas above 1200 metres in the southern tablelands, south-west slopes and the ACT will also be lashed by the storm.
Widespread damaging winds and locally destructive gusts of up to 125km/h in some coastal areas, as well as flash flooding, are expected later today.
Alpine areas above 1200 metres in the southern tablelands, south-west slopes and the ACT will also be lashed by the storm.
Widespread damaging winds and locally destructive gusts of up to 125km/h in some coastal areas, as well as flash flooding, are expected later today.
Residents living near Calgary have been placed on notice after tributaries of the Bow River surged with as much as 70 millimetres of rain over the weekend.
Flood watches were in effect in several soggy communities, including Ghost River, Jumpingpound Creek and Waiparous Creek.
Flood watches were in effect in several soggy communities, including Ghost River, Jumpingpound Creek and Waiparous Creek.
Svitlana Nadich is almost beyond hoping that even a little rain will fall on her brittle, parched wheatfields in southern Ukraine.
The $20,000 investment made by four village families, the sowing and care in applying fertilizer, all appear to be in vain as the region endures its worst drought in more than a century.
The $20,000 investment made by four village families, the sowing and care in applying fertilizer, all appear to be in vain as the region endures its worst drought in more than a century.
EAGLE COUNTY - With each new day, city officials in Aspen find more dead or dying aspen trees. They say the culprit is a tiny insect known as the Willow Scale.
GLENWOOD SPRINGS - A wildfire continues to grow quickly in Garfield County, forcing authorities to shut down roads and issue evacuations as the flames spread.
The event's duration has scientists unsure what will be left when the shaking stops
Geologists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are baffled by a swarm of more than 260 small earthquakes that shook the upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea over the course of several hours yesterday.
Geologists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are baffled by a swarm of more than 260 small earthquakes that shook the upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea over the course of several hours yesterday.
What is believed to be the first giant manta ray born in captivity has arrived at a southern Japanese aquarium, the facility said Sunday.
The baby manta, a female, was born late Saturday in a huge fish tank at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, more than a year after its parents mated, the aquarium said in a statement posted Sunday on its Web site.
In a video capturing the birth, the baby manta, rolled up like a tube, came sliding out of the mother manta, then quickly spread its fins and began swimming around.
The scene, recorded by the aquarium, was broadcast by national broadcaster NHK on Sunday.
The baby manta, a female, was born late Saturday in a huge fish tank at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, more than a year after its parents mated, the aquarium said in a statement posted Sunday on its Web site.
In a video capturing the birth, the baby manta, rolled up like a tube, came sliding out of the mother manta, then quickly spread its fins and began swimming around.
The scene, recorded by the aquarium, was broadcast by national broadcaster NHK on Sunday.
Torrential overnight rainfall flooded a handful of north Texas towns Monday, killing two people and stranding residents and their pets on the roofs of their homes awaiting rescue.
Creeks swollen by as much as 8 inches of rain inundated parts of the towns of Gainesville and Sherman near the Oklahoma state line.
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Creeks swollen by as much as 8 inches of rain inundated parts of the towns of Gainesville and Sherman near the Oklahoma state line.
SAN FRANCISCO - Full grown, the light brown apple moth is roughly the size of a nickel: a little dirt-colored insect with an adult life span shorter than the average summer vacation.
