Natural Disasters Cost US $145bn in 2021 - Tasnim News Agency

(Tasnim) – New research by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showed that fire, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters cost the United States $145 billion in losses last year while resulting in 688 deaths.

More than a dozen killed in New York City apartment building fire | Al Jazeera

At least 19 people have been killed, including nine children, and dozens of others injured in an apartment building fire in New York City, according to city officials and US media.

Thousands flee US towns over fast-spreading wildfires (VIDEOS) — RT World News

Grass fires fueled by strong winds have triggered evacuation orders for multiple towns in Northern Colorado, where a thick pall of smoke hangs over Boulder County and some reportedly remain trapped in their homes.

China Urges US to Act Responsibly in Space After SpaceX Satellites Endanger Space Station | Farsnews Agency

(FNA)- The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused the United States of ignoring its obligations under outer space treaties, exposing Chinese astronauts to danger.

Tornadoes through several US states with more than 60 feared dead

 

--

More than 50 feared dead in Kentucky's worst ever tornadoes - BBC News

The governor of the US state of Kentucky has warned that more than 50 people are thought to have been killed by tornadoes overnight.

Climate Change Threatens Russia’s Permafrost and Oil Economy

 

--

REKORDHITZE IN DEN USA: Über 50 Grad – Bewohner sollen wegen Waldbrandgefahr Strom sparen

 

 --

Potentially deadly heat threatens Southwest U.S., could reach 120 degrees

Dangerous and potentially life-threatening heat is expected to spread across the Southwestern United States and occasionally reach the Plains states.

GEO Martyrotop - Eco R News in brief (March 2015 - A)

--

Im Nordosten der USA nimmt der Winter kein Ende: Erneut gab es am Wochenende Sturm und rekordverdächtig viel Neuschnee. Eine eisige Kälte macht den Menschen schwer zu schaffen, in Boston liegt der Verkehr lahm......................Rekordwinter in den USA: Neuer Schneesturm lähmt Boston

--

(February 2015 - a)

- 

(February 2015 - b)

WTO Appellate Body rules against Chinese restrictions on access to rare earths and other raw materials (E.C.)

European Commission, Press release, Brussels, 7 August 2014:

The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today ruled in the EU’s favour. It confirmed the findings made by a Panel in March 2014 that China’s export restrictions on rare earth, as well as tungsten and molybdenum, are in breach of WTO rules. Backing the claims of the EU and its co-complainants, the US and Japan, the WTO found that China’s export duties and quotas were not justified for reasons of environmental protection or conservation policy.

Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev said on Tuesday that all activities related to the South Stream gas pipeline project should be put on hold until it was brought in line with European legislation.

The statement followed reports about the Bulgarian Energy Holding to prepare the decision on a contract with Russia’s Gazprom for a loan to finance Bulgaria’s participation in the project.
The president expressed surprise and indignation at the continuing project work by the government contrary to its public obligations assumed on June 8 to temporarily suspend the project, the presidential press service said.
Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski said earlier this month that Bulgaria would be able to convince the European Commission that its actions with regard to the South Stream gas pipeline project were justified and founded.

Fracking: Major Scientific Document Shows Why NY Fracking Moratorium Is Imperative

Less than two weeks ago, local communities triumphed over the fracking industry in a precedent-setting case decided by the New York Court of Appeals. The court ruled that the towns of Dryden and Middlefield can use local zoning laws to ban heavy industry, including oil and gas production within municipal borders.

While the court decision is a victory for the two towns, many New Yorkers continue to rally and push for a statewide fracking moratorium. In this vein, Concerned Health Professionals of New York (CHPNY) today released a major resource to the public, including public officials, researchers and journalists—the Compendium of Scientific, Medical and Media Findings Demonstrating Risks and Harms of Fracking................................http://ecowatch.com/2014/07/10/major-scientific-document-ny-fracking-moratorium-imperative/
10/7/14

Russia wants South Stream built as scheduled

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Sofia on Monday said the South Stream gas pipeline should be built as scheduled, and urged the European Commission to implement a reasonable approach.

He made the statement at a joint press conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Kristian Vigenin, after talks for the expansion of bilateral cooperation and the construction of a Bulgarian section of South Stream gas pipeline.

Bulgaria suspends works on South Stream project. - Plamen Oresharrski said on Sunday after a meeting with American Senators.

“We have received a request from the European Commission, after which I ordered to suspend the works," - Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharrski said...

Bulgaria suspends works on the South Stream project over the European Commission’s infringement proceedings, Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Oresharrski said on Sunday after a meeting with American Senators.  

U.S.-China Joint Statement on Climate Change. -Office of the Spokesperson U.S. State Department

Washington, DC .- In light of the overwhelming scientific consensus on climate change and its worsening impacts, and the related issue of air pollution from burning fossil fuels, the United States and China recognize the urgent need for action to meet these twin challenges. Both sides reaffirm their commitment to contribute significantly to successful 2015 global efforts to meet this challenge. 

Accordingly, China and the United States will work together, within the vehicle of the U.S.-China Climate Change Working Group (CCWG) launched last year, to collaborate through enhanced policy dialogue, including the sharing of information regarding their respective post-2020 plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions. 

Russia, US Plan to Jointly Fight Space Threats

MOSCOW, January 27 (RIA Novosti) – Russian and US experts are planning to join efforts in protecting our planet against thousands of potentially hazardous near-Earth space bodies, Russia’s emergencies minister said.

“The collision with the Chelyabinsk meteorite last year showed that space threats could be real and as destructive as huge fires or natural disasters on Earth,” Vladimir Puchkov said in an interview with Rossiiskaya Gazeta to be published on Tuesday.
The minister said a joint working group would be set up in the near future to develop solutions to counter space threats.

U.S.icebreaker Polar Star to help vessels trapped in Antarctica: AMSA

SYDNEY, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has requested the U.S. Coast Guard's icebreaker Polar Star to assist the Russian vessel MV Akademik Shokalskiy and the Chinese vessel Xue Long (Snow Dragon)which are stuck by ice in Antarctica.

AMSA has identified the Polar Star as a vessel capable of assisting the trapped vessels.

The U.S. Coast Guard accepted this request on Saturday and will make Polar Star available for the rescue operation, AMSA said in the latest statement.

Energieexperte Yergin: "Europa unterschätzt Schiefergas".

US-Ökonom in Wien: Massive Förderung sei enormer Anschub für die industrielle Wettbewerbsfähigkeit...

Die massive Förderung von Schiefergas in den USA ist nicht nur die größte Innovation in der Energiewirtschaft der vergangenen Jahrzehnte, sondern auch ein riesiger Anschub für die US-Wirtschaft.“ Daniel Yergin, US-Ökonom, Buchautor und Energieexperte, ließ bei seinem Vortrag an der WU Wien im Rahmen des OMV-Business Talk keinen Zweifel darin, für wie wichtig er Schiefergas hält.
In den USA seien dadurch zwei Millionen Jobs entstanden, die Staatseinnahmen gestiegen und die Gaspreise gefallen. Der Chemiekonzern Dow wolle nun fünf Milliarden Dollar (3,7 Milliarden Euro) in den USA investiert. „Hätten wir den Konzern vor fünf Jahren gefragt, ob er das machen würde, hätte er wohl gefragt, ob man verrückt sei“, meinte Yergin.

Fast-moving storm, tornadoes threaten US Midwest.

CHICAGO: A fast-moving storm system that produced at least one tornado in Illinois threatened some 53 million people across 10 Midwestern states on Sunday, US weather officials said.

"A confirmed large and extremely dangerous tornado" was spotted near Washington, Illinois, located about 145 miles (233 kilometers) southwest of Chicago, the National Weather Service said.

Photos taken at the scene showed structures were reduced to rubble and houses ripped open in Washington, Illinois.