Sci-tech
Hurricane watch posted as Lane approaches
On Tuesday morning, Lane was positioned 450 miles south-southeast of Kona, tracking west at 12 mph. "Slight weakening is expected during the next couple of days, but Lane is forecast to remain a unsafe hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands", forecasters said. [Full Article...]
EPA proposes relaxing coal plant emissions rule
President Trump's plan broadly increases the leeway given states to decide how and how much to regulate coal power plants. Coal fired power plants have always been a staple of the US power grid, but are declining due to competition from natural gas, which is cheaper , and wind and solar power, which are far more agreeable to the environment and human health. [Full Article...]
Malcolm Turnbull says unity is 'critical' after surviving leadership spill
One lawmaker abstained and another was away on sick leave. Since 2007, no Australian leader has succeeded in serving a full three-year term as prime minister. Australia's prime minister on Monday abandoned plans to legislate to limit greenhouse gas emissions to head off a revolt by conservative lawmakers. [Full Article...]
Australia boosts aid by AUS$1.8 billion for drought-hit farmers
Recently retired senior military officer Major General Stephen Day was appointed national drought coordinator to help farmers and other organisations determine where support is most needed. Mr Guerin thanked all Australians for their continued support of drought-affected farmers through donations to charities and the various appeals that have been established, including the Farm Aid Telethons be... [Full Article...]
Hurricane Lane Heads Over Pacific, Could Get Close to Hawaii
At 5 a.m. HST on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, the center of Hurricane Lane was located 615 miles SE of Hilo 665 miles SE of Kailua-Kona; 615 miles SE of South Point; 710 miles SE of Hāna; 735 miles SE of Kahului; 770 miles SE of Kaunakakai; 755 miles SE of Lānaʻi City; and 830 miles SE of Honolulu (near latitude 13.7 North, longitude 148.2 West). [Full Article...]
WOTUS Now in Effect in 26 States
Beetle in 99-million-year-old amber found with ancient cycad pollen
Because locked in the amber with it was evidence of how insects helped with pollination long before the arrival of flowering plants. Millions of years ago, cycads were much more abundant and diverse. Liqin Li, an ancient pollen expert at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, confirmed the pollen grains belonged to an ancient cycad species. The researchers also conducted an extensive phylogenetic anal... [Full Article...]
Prepare for sub-tropical Storm Ernesto
It is set to arrive on the United Kingdom in the early hours of Sunday morning, but will only hit certain areas. According to the Met Office , Storm Ernesto will no longer be classified as a storm when it arrives in the United Kingdom, as it is expected to have lost some of its power by the time it reaches the country, but it will still bring with it heavy rain and strong winds. [Full Article...]