Honey bees are dying off. A disease called colony collapse disorder, the cause of which is unknown, threatens extinction.
And if they're not here to pollinate, it could mean a crunch in the U.S. and world food supply.
Famine. Starvation. Some fear the worst.
But there is hope.
Recent observations at the Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center in Biglerville might just indicate that if the honey bee population does collapse, there are wild, native bees that might be able to do the job of the hard workers in honey-bee colonies.
It's all preliminary observation at this point, said tree fruit entomologist and bio-control specialist David Biddinger.
Earth Changes
Funnel cloud sightings were reported across northeast Ohio Saturday.
Residents experienced heavy rain, wind, lightning, hail during severe storms across the area.
A tornado warning was issued for some areas, NewsChannel5 reported.
Residents experienced heavy rain, wind, lightning, hail during severe storms across the area.
A tornado warning was issued for some areas, NewsChannel5 reported.
Nearly a hundred pets were reclaimed by their owners yesterday after a severe flood ravaged Iowa, while many more animals kept in makeshift emergency shelters wait to be reunited.
The number of pet-owner reunions at a shelter in Cedar Rapids is expected to grow in the coming days, as more victims begin assessing damage to their homes and finding temporary accommodations.
"[Owners] are now making plans for themselves and their pets, so we'll continue to see larger numbers of people reclaim their animals," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society of the United States.
Last week rescue workers from several private animal-welfare agencies, including the Humane Society, descended on the city after the Cedar River breached levees, filling streets with dark swirling water and forcing 24,000 people to evacuate.
With the water now receded, city officials estimate damages to reach U.S. $736 million.
The number of pet-owner reunions at a shelter in Cedar Rapids is expected to grow in the coming days, as more victims begin assessing damage to their homes and finding temporary accommodations.
"[Owners] are now making plans for themselves and their pets, so we'll continue to see larger numbers of people reclaim their animals," said Scotlund Haisley, senior director of emergency services for the Humane Society of the United States.
Last week rescue workers from several private animal-welfare agencies, including the Humane Society, descended on the city after the Cedar River breached levees, filling streets with dark swirling water and forcing 24,000 people to evacuate.
With the water now receded, city officials estimate damages to reach U.S. $736 million.
Fire crews already spread thin fighting blazes across California are dealing with a flurry of new fires on the North Coast caused from an unusual and powerful lightning storm that struck on Friday.
As of Saturday evening, CAL FIRE reported that approximately 37 lightning-caused fires were started during the past 24 hours in widely scattered areas of its Humboldt-Del Norte Unit.
As of Saturday evening, CAL FIRE reported that approximately 37 lightning-caused fires were started during the past 24 hours in widely scattered areas of its Humboldt-Del Norte Unit.
A Philippine passenger ferry capsized during a typhoon with more than 700 people on board, triggering a frantic search on Sunday for survivors.
Most of the 626 passengers and 121 crew are missing and the vessel's owner, Sulpicio Lines, said it had lost contact with the ferry, which was en route to Cebu from Manila, at around 12.30 p.m. (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
The coast guard finally reached the area where the MV Princess of Stars sank 3 km (two miles) from Sibuyan island in the centre of the archipelago. It had been forced to abort a previous rescue mission on Saturday because of high seas.
Most of the 626 passengers and 121 crew are missing and the vessel's owner, Sulpicio Lines, said it had lost contact with the ferry, which was en route to Cebu from Manila, at around 12.30 p.m. (0430 GMT) on Saturday.
The coast guard finally reached the area where the MV Princess of Stars sank 3 km (two miles) from Sibuyan island in the centre of the archipelago. It had been forced to abort a previous rescue mission on Saturday because of high seas.
Kolkata - At least 25 people have died due to floods in West Bengal that have affected 2.7 million people. The situation in parts of East Midnapore district deteriorated Saturday. "Twenty-five persons have died and over 2.7 million are affected due to floods till Saturday in West and East Midnapore districts," Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said here.
Three strong earthquakes occurred Saturday 270 kilometers (about 165 miles) southwest of Athens without causing any casualties or serious damage, authorities said.
The first earthquake, of 5.4 magnitude, occurred at 0857 local time (0557 GMT). The second, a magnitude 5.9 quake occurred at 1436 local (1136 GMT). A third earthquake, of magnitude 5.0. occurred at 1645 local (1345 GMT), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.
The first earthquake, of 5.4 magnitude, occurred at 0857 local time (0557 GMT). The second, a magnitude 5.9 quake occurred at 1436 local (1136 GMT). A third earthquake, of magnitude 5.0. occurred at 1645 local (1345 GMT), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.
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| ©Pat Brand |
| This rare albino crow was one of two recently spotted in East Vancouver. |
The first signs of another boiling summer are being felt nationwide today as the mercury has already climbed to 40C in the capital.
The Director of the Meteorological Service Kyriacos Theofilou, said that the temperature is five degrees higher than normal for this time of year, with the normal level being around 35C.
The Director of the Meteorological Service Kyriacos Theofilou, said that the temperature is five degrees higher than normal for this time of year, with the normal level being around 35C.
Athens -- A major forest fire that broke out in Lagomandra, Kalamos in northern Attica, Greece was continuing to blaze unchecked on Friday, causing extensive damages, according to Athens News Agency reports.
