Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 16, 2024 A new study published in Environmental Research: Infrastructure and Sustainability reveals that lifespan caps for passenger vehicles have minimal impact on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and may increase costs and material use. Although light-duty vehicles (LDVs) contribute 17% to the annual GHG emissions in the United States, a 15-year lifespan cap on these fleets under a business-as-uhttp://dlvr.it/T794T7 Continue reading Early retirement of old vehicles will not significantly reduce emissions

Taipei (AFP) May 20, 2024 New Taiwan President Lai Ching-te on Monday vowed to defend the island’s democracy, as he called on China to end its military intimidation of the self-ruled island. Beijing, which has in the past branded Lai as a “dangerous separatist”, responded hours later saying that “Taiwan independence is a dead end”. In his inauguration speech, Lai directly addressed the threat of … Continue reading New president Lai vows to defend Taiwan’s democracy

Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 20, 2024 A team led by University of Maryland chemists has found a new method to create carbenes, highly reactive molecules essential for many chemical reactions, including those that produce carbohydrates. Carbenes are important precursors to the building blocks of life on Earth and potentially in space. The researchers created hydroxymethylene (HCOH), a carbene, by breaking down methanol (CH3OH)http://dlvr.it/T794S5 Continue reading Researchers Discover New Insights into Carbene Formation

Beijing (AFP) May 18, 2024 A Chinese official responsible for agricultural affairs is under investigation for corruption, state media reported Saturday, as President Xi Jinping’s extensive anti-graft campaign continues to bring down high-level figures. Tang Renjian, the head of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, is “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law”, state broadcaster CCTV said.http://dlvr.it/T794Rc Continue reading China investigates agriculture minister for corruption

Noumea (AFP) May 17, 2024 French marines on Friday patrolled the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, which local authorities said was “calmer” after days of riots over voting reform that have left five dead and hundreds injured. Military and police “reinforcements will control areas that have got out of our hands in recent days,” said French high commissioner Louis Le Franc, the highest-ranking state … Continue reading French marines patrol New Caledonia after deadly riots

Houston (AFP) May 18, 2024 The death toll from severe weather that lashed the Texas city of Houston has risen to seven, authorities said Friday. The three additional deaths came after Houston, the fourth-largest US city, was hit Thursday by heavy rain and winds up to 100 miles (160 kilometers) per hour, leaving downtown streets covered in glass from blown-out windows. Downed trees and power … Continue reading Death toll from Texas storm rises to 7

Kabul (AFP) May 19, 2024 Fresh floods killed 66 people in northern Afghanistan, a provincial official said Sunday, after weeks of flooding that has inundated farms and villages and swept away swathes of communities. Hundreds of people have died in flash floods this month that have also swamped agricultural lands in a country where 80 percent of the population depends on farming to survive. The … Continue reading Fresh floods kill 66 in northern Afghanistan

Kleinblittersdorf (AFP) May 18, 2024 German emergency workers on Saturday started a major clean-up after heavy rains triggered massive flooding, while parts of Belgium, the Netherlands and France were also affected. The southwestern German state of Saarland was the worst-hit region after a long downpour on Friday flooded buildings, left streets deep underwater and sparked evacuations, with boats carrying stranded residents to shttp://dlvr.it/T76bDk Continue reading Parts of northern Europe clean up after floods

Dakar (AFP) May 17, 2024 Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has questioned the military presence of former colonial ruler France, which has several bases in the West African nation, saying it impinged on Dakar’s sovereignty. Addressing students at Dakar University on Thursday, Sonko also slammed French President Emmanuel Macron for turning a blind eye to political “persecution” in Senegal. Sonko, a firebrandhttp://dlvr.it/T76bCW Continue reading Senegal PM questions French military presence

Miami (AFP) May 16, 2024 Democrats on Thursday slammed a new law introduced by Florida that makes climate change a lesser priority and largely removes the phrase from statutes in the hottest state in the mainland United States. The legislation, which was signed Wednesday by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis and comes into effect in July, also bans power-generating wind turbines offshore or near the coast … Continue reading Florida slammed for bill striking climate change from state law