As the human death toll from the China earthquake on May 12 tops 50,000, emergency rations are being sent to some of the most endangered survivors - giant pandas.
The China Daily reports that some 4500 kilograms of bamboo leaves and 1050 kg of bamboo shoots, as well as apples, soya beans, eggs and milk powder are being sent to feed giant pandas at the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in Wolong, Sichuan province, just 30 kilometres from the epicentre. Five of the centre's workers were killed in the quake, and 2 of 53 pandas were injured.
Earth Changes
Texans are battling a plague of insects that sounds right out of the book of Exodus. So-called "crazy Rasberry ants," named after Tom Rasberry, the exterminator who first identified them, and called "crazy" for their erratic marching pattern, have begun appearing in huge numbers in the Houston area. The ants have been wreaking havoc on homes by destroying electrical wiring, according to the Houston Chronicle, which offers this fear-inducing introduction:
You won't be able to hear them.
Don't even try.
But somewhere out there, maybe as near as your backyard, the crazy Rasberry ants are marching. Hundreds, thousands, millions, billions of them are coming in a near-unstoppable zig-zagging insect army intent on making your home, yard and life a living hill.
Three giant pandas are missing from the world's most famous panda reserve located less than 20 miles from the epicenter of China's earthquake.
CHENGDU, China - One of the most powerful aftershocks to hit quake-ravaged central China killed one person, left dozens more injured and leveled homes Sunday, as soldiers carrying explosives hiked to a blocked-off river to alleviate the threat of floods.
New Zealand's largest active volcano, Mount Ruapehu in the North Island, has been showing signs of increased activity and scientists are warning it may erupt.
But up on the mountain tourism operators are not too concerned. They are more worried that the media reports have scared off visitors.
Meanwhile newspaper headlines in New Zealand are reading "Restless Ruapehu emits danger signs" and "Molten rock on the move".
Dr Tony Hurst is a volcanologist based in Wellington and has been monitoring volcanoes across New Zealand for 30 years.
He says close attention needs to be paid to Ruapehu, particularly because of the number of people who ski on its slopes. Dr Hurst says Mount Ruapehu began stirring three weeks ago.
But up on the mountain tourism operators are not too concerned. They are more worried that the media reports have scared off visitors.
Meanwhile newspaper headlines in New Zealand are reading "Restless Ruapehu emits danger signs" and "Molten rock on the move".
Dr Tony Hurst is a volcanologist based in Wellington and has been monitoring volcanoes across New Zealand for 30 years.
He says close attention needs to be paid to Ruapehu, particularly because of the number of people who ski on its slopes. Dr Hurst says Mount Ruapehu began stirring three weeks ago.
Supercell storms plowed across northern Oklahoma state Saturday spawning several tornadoes that crushed structures and sent debris flying miles away, US media reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storms would drop "a few tornadoes near an outflow boundary where wind shear is very favorable for rotation. Other scattered severe storms are possible farther southward through Oklahoma this afternoon and evening."
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that the storms would drop "a few tornadoes near an outflow boundary where wind shear is very favorable for rotation. Other scattered severe storms are possible farther southward through Oklahoma this afternoon and evening."
A fairly strong earthquake shook the ocean floor near the Solomon Islands at 3:24 a.m. today Hawaii time, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The 5.9 magnitude temblor's epicenter was estimated to be almost 42 miles below the earth's surface.
The 5.9 magnitude temblor's epicenter was estimated to be almost 42 miles below the earth's surface.
BOGOTA - A shallow earthquake measuring 5.7 magnitude hit central Colombia on Saturday, shaking buildings in the capital, Bogota, witnesses and the U.S. Geological Survey said.
KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Emergency workers were picking through debris after tornadoes rampaged in western and central Kansas and northern Oklahoma for a second night in a row.
For the second year in a row, Alberta beekeepers are hearing less buzzing from their hives.
A pest manager with the provincial government says bee populations in over-wintered colonies are down by 25 per cent -- 10 per cent more than normal.
Honey farmer Ernie Martens, who normally runs 1,000 hives in northern Alberta, estimates he's lost 70 per cent of his insects.
"We're trying to figure out ways to rebuild, but I'm not sure how," he said from his farm in La Crete, which is about 800 kilometres north of Edmonton.
A pest manager with the provincial government says bee populations in over-wintered colonies are down by 25 per cent -- 10 per cent more than normal.
Honey farmer Ernie Martens, who normally runs 1,000 hives in northern Alberta, estimates he's lost 70 per cent of his insects.
"We're trying to figure out ways to rebuild, but I'm not sure how," he said from his farm in La Crete, which is about 800 kilometres north of Edmonton.
