Other Stories

Hundreds of Australian cattlemen muster protest

The state of Victoria, Australia wants to end the practice of grazing cattle in the alpine mountain region, saying the cattle's hooves are causing damage to the ecosystem. Over 500 cattlemen rode to parliament in protest. The national Environment and Heritage Minister sides with the cattlemen.

Mass. Gov. Declares Red Tide a Disaster

Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts has declared a state of emergency as a result of the red tide algal bloom off the coast of Massachusetts.

Moths May Fight Coca, Scientists: Insect Would Kill Coca Crops

Colombian scientists believe that releasing large numbers of laboratory-bred beige-colored Eloria Noyesi moths into coca-growing regions would lead to mass destruction of coca plants. Where U.S. and Columbian programs of fumigation have killed coca plantations, they have simply been replanted, but moths could reproduce and kill the new plantations too. The moths are native to the Andean region of South America, but not in great concentrations. Critics fear that such concentrations may attack other plants. Use of a fungus has also been suggested.

China battles new outbreak of deadly bird flu

An outbreak of bird flu caused by the H5N1 virus has occurred in the region of Xinjiang, China. Hundreds of geese died and thousands more were slaughtered. The area has been quarantined. The source of the outbreak is not known. The virus can be fatal for humans.

Mexican Volcano Rumbles Back to Life

More people are being evacuated as Mexico's Volcano of Fire continues to rumble. Ash has reached the state capital, Colima, 20 miles away.

Officials Downgrade Fire Outlook in West

The danger of an above average fire season in the West of the USA has receded, due to mountain snow, below average temperatures and rain. This could change if the weather turns hot.

British Official Warns of Possible Gridlock

British transport secretary Alistair Darling says that the nation faces gridlock if motorists are not charged for every mile they drive using a satellite system. Critics say that the plan would favour the wealthy, switch traffic to quieter country roads, and violate people's privacy.

Brazil Working on Gas Contingency Plan

Brazil's Energy Ministry is concerned that the political crisis in Bolivia may interrupt supplies of natural gas. Brazilian protestors are calling for nationalization of the country's oil and gas industry.

Top Saudi Says Kingdom Has Plenty of Oil

Saudi Arabia's top foreign policy adviser says that Saudi Arabia has enough oil to last for a very long time. Last year the oil minister said that the oil would last 50 years. Saudi Arabia does not want the price to rise so high that demand will be affected. It has also built more refineries so that the oil can be turned into gasoline.

Tropical Storm Arlene Forms in Caribbean

The first tropical storm of the current Atlantic hurricane season, Arlene, is approaching western Cuba.

How can we be so cruel and wasteful?

[Views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of CompuServe, Netscape, any government, agency, or news organization. External Websites are "At Your Own Risk," and no endorsement is expressed or implied.]