Science news

• U.S. concerned execution of Nimr will exacerbate sectarian tensions

  02-01-2016 23:56
  By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government expressed concern on Saturday that Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric, could exacerbate sectarian tensions, and urged all leaders in the Middle East to "redouble efforts" to de-escalate regional tensions. "We reaffirm our calls on the Government of Saudi Arabia to respect and protect human rights, and to ensure fair and transparent judicial proceedings in all cases," John Kirby, a spokesman for the U.S. State Dep
  
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• Search for more victims as deadly US floods stress levees

  02-01-2016 20:46
  
  Record flooding from the rain-swollen Mississippi River and its tributaries stressed dams and levees to the breaking point in parts of Illinois, one of several central US states reeling from winter storms that have killed some two dozen people.
  
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• Wolf hunting begins in central Sweden

  02-01-2016 20:17
  
  Hunters in central Sweden killed a wolf on Saturday as they began an authorized cull of the predators that has been clouded by legal uncertainty.
  
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• Shi'ite Muslims worldwide decry execution of Saudi cleric

  02-01-2016 18:32
  By Sam Wilkin DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of a leading cleric from the Shi'ite Muslim minority drew protests from around the world against the ruling Al Saud family and threatened to further intensify a wave of sectarian conflict in the Middle East. Lebanon's Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council called Saturday's execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr a "grave mistake", and the Hezbollah group termed it an assassination as Shi'ites took to the streets in protest from Tehran to Kashmir. Saudi
  
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• Search for more US flood victims as water stresses levees

  02-01-2016 16:58
  
  Record flooding from the rain-swollen Mississippi River and its tributaries stressed dams and levees to the breaking point in parts of Illinois, one of several central US states reeling from winter storms that have killed some two dozen people.
  
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• Nova Scotia issues tender for mine greenhouse gas consultant

  02-01-2016 16:37 via cbc.ca
  
  With the reopening of Cape Breton's Donkin coal mine expected in late spring, the province is looking for some guidance on minimizing the greenhouse gases coal mines produce.
  
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• Iraq's Sadr calls for protests in Gulf, Iraq, after Nimr execution

  02-01-2016 15:02
  Prominent Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called on Saturday for demonstrations in Gulf countries and in Iraq to protest the execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia."I ask that the Shi'ites of Saudi Arabia ... show courage in responding even through peaceful demonstrations, and the same for the Shi'ites in the Gulf, so as to deter injustice and government terrorism in the future," he said on his website. "I urge ... angry demonstrations in front of Saudi sites and interests, and I
  
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• Shi'ites across the Middle East decry execution of Saudi cleric

  02-01-2016 14:44
  By Sam Wilkin DUBAI (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's execution of a leading cleric from the Shi'ite Muslim minority drew warnings of a backlash against the ruling Al Saud family and threatened to further intensify a wave of sectarian conflict in the region. Lebanon's Supreme Islamic Shi'ite Council called the execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr a "grave mistake", and the Hezbollah group termed it an assassination. Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, an establishment cleric in largely Shia rival Iran, said repercuss
  
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• Saudi-led coalition ending Yemen ceasefire, state news agency says

  02-01-2016 13:14
  A Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi movement in Yemen for nine months announced on Saturday the end of a ceasefire that began on Dec. 15, the Saudi state news agency SPA said, in a setback to attempts to end the conflict. The ceasefire began in tandem with peace talks sponsored by the United Nations, but it was repeatedly violated by both sides. The coalition began its military campaign in prevent the Houthis, whom it sees as a proxy for Iran, from taking complete control of Y
  
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• South African group reports slight drop in rhino poaching

  02-01-2016 13:13
  JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The number of rhinos poached in South Africa in 2015 was slightly lower than in the previous year, representing modest progress by law enforcement in countering poachers who have killed rhinos in record numbers, according to a conservation group.
  
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• Humpback whales slow to arrive in Hawaii

  02-01-2016 06:37
  HONOLULU (AP) — December usually marks the start of humpback whale season in Hawaii, but experts say the animals have been slow to return this year.
  
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• Advance 'can help find other worlds'

  02-01-2016 01:18 via bbc.co.uk
  
  The pull of gravity on a distant star can now be measured more accurately, shedding light on other worlds, say astronomers.
  
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