In today's news roundup, heavy rains trigger deadly mudslides in Brazil, Zimbabwe teachers are on strike in an effort to earn the same amount they earned four years ago, and some drivers in Seattle discover that their car radios will only play one station.
Published in “Environment”
Every year, as many as 50,000 elephants in Africa are killed illegally for their ivory tusks. Now scientists have improved DNA methods that allow them to match up tusks, and help track down criminal gangs that are selling the ivory.
The Western United States has been struggling with a serious drought for years. A new study shows that this "megadrought" is the most serious dry period to hit the area in 1,200 years. The report makes it clear that climate change has made the drought worse.
In 1992, five villages in Galicia, Spain were flooded on purpose when a river was dammed up to create a large reservoir. Now, because of a drought, low levels of water have revealed much of one of those villages, rising out of the water like a ghost village.
Cyclone Batsirai plowed into Madagascar on Saturday, with strong winds and heavy rains. The cyclone left a trail of destruction, and brought serious new problems to Madagascar, which is still struggling after being pounded by Tropical Storm Ana two weeks ago.
On Tuesday, the United Nations' weather agency reported on the longest lightning flash ever recorded. The lightning bolt shot through the sky over the US in 2020, crossing three states. It covered a total distance of 477 miles (768 kilometers).
The recent cold weather in the United States has had some unusual effects. In South Florida, temperatures dropped so low that iguanas began falling out of trees.
When a volcano in Tonga erupted on January 15, the effects were felt around the world. Peru - all the way across the Pacific Ocean - is now trying to clean up an oil spill caused by the eruption. The spill is killing animals and polluting the area.
Worldwide, many groups are pushing governments to protect 30% of the world's oceans by 2030. Today, NFK looks at new marine reserves created by Ecuador and Bangladesh in an effort to protect large areas of the oceans near them.
Antarctica is one of the hardest to reach places on Earth. But a recent report reveals that ships going to Antarctica have connections to ports around the world. That greatly raises the chance that plants or animals from outside could invade this protected area.
Scientists exploring the ocean floor in Antartica have found the largest group of fish nests ever discovered. The huge area of nests came as a surprise, and will help scientists develop a more complete idea of the ocean food web in the area.