Dutch astronomers and ecologists are working with Leiden University on a project, MONOCLE, that allows people to measure the quality of their water, simply by taking a photo with their smartphones.
Two US oil products pipeline companies said Tuesday they have launched an assessment on whether to build what would be the first dedicated ethanol pipeline from agriculture centres in the Midwest to the heavily populated US Northeast. The companies, Magellan Midstream Partners LP and Buckeye Partners LP, said the proposed pipeline -- with a preliminary cost estimate of more than $3 billion -- would span about 1,700 miles (2,740 km) and take several years to build. The assessment could be completed later this year.
Suncorp-Metway Ltd, Australia's second-biggest car and home insurer, said on Monday the total estimated costs from storms in northern Queensland state were seen exceeding A$100 million ($93 million). Suncorp said, however, that its reinsurance arrangements would limit its liability to A$100 million. Australian insurance companies have been battered by heavy storms and a large number of major weather events in the first half of fiscal 2008. In December, Insurance Australia Group Ltd cut its insurance margin forecast for the 2008 business year because of storm damage claims. Flooding in Queensland state since the start of 2008 has forced evacuations of towns, closed mines and washed away crops. Suncorp said it would give a further update on its costs from the storms when it reports half-year results on Feb. 28. (US$1=A$1.08) Story by Denny Thomas REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
An avalanche killed five people in the Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan, the emergencies ministry said on Friday. The avalanche hit the men when they were collecting brushwood in Kyrgyzstan's eastern Issyk-Kul region near its border with China, the ministry said in a statement. Avalanches and mudslides are frequent occurences in the mountainous nation of five million, especially in spring when meltwater rushes down from its peaks. (Reporting by Olga Dzyubenko; Writing by Olzhas Auyezov) REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
- The death toll from Cyclone Ivan in Madagascar has risen to 93 people, while the total number of homeless is 332,391, a statement from the National Office for Disaster and Risk Management said.
A major earthquake and two aftershocks hit China's north-western region of Xinjiang on Friday morning, the China Earthquake Administration said, but there were no initial reports of casualties or dama
