Australian insurer QBE to exit thermal coal over climate change

Australia's QBE Insurance Group Ltd plans to stop offering new policies for thermal coal mines and coal-fired power stations to help encourage a low carbon economy and combat climate change.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2FPR1xx

Most northern China cities fail to meet winter smog targets: data

A majority of 39 northern Chinese cities have failed to meet anti-pollution targets over the six-months to end-March, a Reuters study of official data showed, adding to fears the war on smog has lost momentum.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2UkwhWU

Severe thunderstorm in Nepal leaves 25 dead, hundreds injured

Over two dozen people were killed in a severe thunderstorm that swept through parts of southern Nepal late on Sunday and hundreds more were injured, police and officials said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2FLXoBP

6.2-magnitude earthquake hits coast of Ecuador

LONDON - A 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of the city of Santa Elena on the coast of Ecuador on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2TK4fzB

Eiffel Tower goes dark for Earth Hour

The Eiffel Tower was plunged into darkness late on Saturday as the city of Paris switched off the lights on its best-known tourist attraction to mark this year's Earth Hour.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2HNnerF

Iran calls emergency in flood-threatened southwest province

Iran said on Saturday it faced an emergency in a southwestern province threatened by flooding and worked to evacuate dozens of villages as forecasters predicted more of the heavy rains that have killed at least 45 people this week, state media reported.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2HYdY2W

Cholera cases increase to 271 in Mozambique's cyclone-hit Beira

The number of confirmed cases of cholera in Mozambique's cyclone-hit port city of Beira has nearly doubled to 271 in the last 48 hours, the southern African nation's government said on Saturday.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2FNVil5

Iran evacuates flood-threatened villages after heavy rains kill dozens

Authorities in Iran worked on Saturday to evacuate villages threatened by flooding in southwestern areas as forecasters predicted more of the heavy rains that have killed at least 45 people this week, state media reported.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2CNoC9m

Afghanistan floods kill 32, worsen already desperate situation

Flash floods have killed at least 32 people in western Afghanistan, destroyed homes and swept through makeshift shelters that housed displaced families, a government official said on Saturday.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2FMstWd

Magnitude 6.1 earthquake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit Papua New Guinea's New Britain island, 186 km (115 miles) east of Kandrian, on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2TGuHu5

Egypt shuts three ports due to bad weather

Egypt closed the Red Sea port of Sharm al-Sheikh and the Mediterranean ports of Alexandria and Dekheila on Saturday due to bad weather, the Red Sea Port Authority and a spokesman for the Alexandria Port Authority said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2Yy8MZL

Magnitude 5.3 tremor shakes central Greece, no word on damage

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries after a 5.3 magnitude earthquake jolted central Greece on Saturday, authorities said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2Ulmtf8

Egypt shuts two Mediterranean ports due to bad weather

Egypt closed the Mediterranean ports of Alexandria and Dekheila early on Saturday due to bad weather, a spokesman for the Alexandria Port Authority said.

from Reuters: Environment https://ift.tt/2V1i0LI