Europe’s cold snap claims more victims, travel hit
By Richard Balmforth and Michael Holden KIEV/LONDON | Sun Feb 5, 2012 6:41am EST KIEV/LONDON (Reuters) – Bitterly cold weather sweeping across Europe claimed more victims on Sunday and brought widespread disruption to transport services, with warnings that the chilling temperatures would remain into next week. Hundreds have lost their lives in eastern Europe as [...]
Canada, Alberta seek to assuage oil sands critics
By Jeffrey Jones and Scott Haggett CALGARY, Alberta | Fri Feb 3, 2012 6:07pm EST CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) – Canada will set up a new environmental monitoring system for the northern Alberta oil sands as it seeks to fend off harsh international criticism following revelations that oversight of the huge petroleum development has been insufficient. [...]
Bill would block export of Keystone fuels
By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON | Fri Feb 3, 2012 5:02pm EST WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Democrats unveiled legislation on Friday that would block export of any oil transported by the Keystone XL pipeline, as they challenged claims that the delayed project would boost U.S. energy security. TransCanada’s $7 billion Keystone pipeline has become a political lightning [...]
Somali regions no longer famine stricken: U.N.
By Katy Migiro NAIROBI | Fri Feb 3, 2012 2:00am EST NAIROBI (Reuters) – An exceptional harvest after good rains and food deliveries by aid agencies have ended famine in Somalia although conditions remain fragile and could worsen, the United Nations said on Friday. The U.N. declared famine in two parts of southern Somalia last [...]
Villagers scramble for fuel in Europe’s big chill
By Marton Dunai FARKASLYUK, Hungary | Thu Feb 2, 2012 4:21pm EST FARKASLYUK, Hungary (Reuters) – Hungarian villagers were scavenging for coal with their bare hands on Thursday as a blast of Siberian air killed scores in Eastern Europe and looked set to keep its icy grip on the continent for another week. At least [...]
Japan governor wants nuclear safety pledge in writing
By Risa Maeda TOKYO | Thu Feb 2, 2012 6:00am EST TOKYO (Reuters) – Japanese governor Tokihiro Nakamura believes nuclear power is vital for the resource-poor land, but even he says the central government must put safety pledges in writing before he’ll agree to restart off-line reactors — a sign of the tough battle ahead [...]
Europe freeze kills 89, fears rise over Russian gas
By Richard Balmforth and Matt Robinson KIEV/BELGRADE | Wed Feb 1, 2012 9:44pm EST KIEV/BELGRADE (Reuters) – Record-low temperatures in parts of Eastern Europe pushed the death toll from Arctic conditions to at least 89 people Wednesday, and have forced Russian gas provider Gazprom to warn over supplies to Europe. Europe had enjoyed a relatively [...]
China streams live panda video to foster conservation
BEIJING | Wed Feb 1, 2012 3:49am EST BEIJING (Reuters) – China began Wednesday streaming live video footage of its pandas around the world via webcam in an attempt to boost awareness of conservation efforts for its beloved but endangered animal ambassadors. High-definition cameras are set to feature pandas in two reserves at the Bifengxia [...]
Analysis: Warm winter creates winners and losers in economy
By Edward McAllister and Jeanine Prezioso Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:36pm EST (Reuters) – Halfway through what might turn out to be the second mildest U.S. winter on record, major parts of the nation’s economy are feeling the impact, for better or worse. Apparel sales have been dented, ski slopes are emptier, and there has [...]
U.N. agency approves Japan’s reactor stress tests
By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO | Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:28am EST TOKYO (Reuters) – U.N. experts endorsed tests designed to show Japanese nuclear plants could withstand a repeat of last year’s earthquake and tsunami on Tuesday, with the government keen for public acceptance to restart reactors and avoid a summer power crunch. The government still [...]
