Category: World

As temperatures rise in the U.S. West, so do the flames. The years with the most acres burned by wildfires have some of the hottest temperatures, an Associated Press analysis of fire and weather data found. As human-caused climate change has warmed the world over the past 35 years, the land consumed by flames has more than doubled. Experts say the way global warming worsens wildfires comes down to the basic dynamics of fire. Fires need ignition, oxygen and fuel. And what’s really changed is fuel — the trees, brush and other plants that go up in flames. “Hotter, drier weather means our fuels are drier, so it’s easier for… Read More

ROME — The Italian engineer who designed the Genoa bridge that collapsed and killed dozens warned four decades ago that it would require constant maintenance to remove rust given the effects of corrosion from sea air and pollution on the concrete. RAI state television broadcast excerpts Sunday of the report that the late engineer Riccardo Morandi penned in 1979, 12 years after the bridge bearing his name was inaugurated in Genoa. The Associated Press downloaded the English-language report from an engineering news portal. At the time of writing, Morandi said there was already a “well-known loss of superficial chemical resistance of the concrete” because of sea air and pollution from… Read More

CARACAS, Venezuela — Residents across Venezuela’s capital spent a nervous weekend bracing for dramatic measures that President Nicolas Maduro has announced to rescue a downward-spiraling economy, including a more-than-3,000 percent hike in the minimum wage. The changes start to kick in Monday with the introduction of a new currency that lops five zeros off the country’s fast-depreciating bills. Maduro says he’ll also raise gasoline prices to international levels — a combination of measures critics say will only make things worse. Opposition leaders seized on tension among residents, calling for a nationwide strike and protest Tuesday. They hope to draw masses into the streets against Maduro’s socialist ruling party — something… Read More

CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelans are bracing for dramatic economic measures the government has announced, including a 3,000 percent hike in the minimum wage. The changes start to take effect Monday with introduction of a new currency that lops five zeros off the country’s fast-depreciating bills. President Nicolas Maduro is also raising gasoline prices in hopes of rescuing a plummeting economy. Opposition leaders are seizing on the public’s unease to call a nationwide protest. Economists say Maduro’s measures are likely to accelerate hyperinflation rather than address core economic troubles, like plunging oil production. Johns Hopkins University economist Steve Hanke compares the changes to a superficial face-lift. Butcher Jesus Pacheco says he… Read More

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has called for a conditional cease-fire with Taliban insurgents for the duration of the Eid al-Adha holiday. President Ghani made the announcement Sunday during celebrations of the 99th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence in the capital Kabul. “The cease-fire should be observed from both sides, and its continuation and duration also depends on the Taliban stand,” Ghani stressed. He added that, should the Taliban agree, it will start on Monday. He said he hoped it could even last until Nov. 20, which will mark the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammed. The Taliban did not immediately respond to the announcement. The government had previously announced… Read More

As temperatures rise in the U.S. West, so do the flames. The years with the most acres burned by wildfires have some of the hottest temperatures, an Associated Press analysis of fire and weather data found. As human-caused climate change has warmed the world over the past 35 years, the land consumed by flames has more than doubled. Experts say the way global warming worsens wildfires comes down to the basic dynamics of fire. Fires need ignition, oxygen and fuel. And what’s really changed is fuel — the trees, brush and other plants that go up in flames. “Hotter drier weather means our fuels are drier so it’s easier for… Read More

LOS ANGELES — Glitz has won out over guns at the North American box office this weekend as the gilded romance “Crazy Rich Asians” took No. 1 over Mark Wahlberg’s action-packed “Mile 22.” Studios on Sunday say that “Crazy Rich Asians” took in an estimated $25.2 million from 3,384 locations over the weekend. The film starring Constance Wu has banked $34 million since opening Wednesday, far surpassing early industry expectations. It’s a surefire win for the film distributed by Warner Bros., which cost $30 million to produce. “Crazy Rich Asians” outshone Warner Bros.’ shark movie “The Meg,” which fell to second place with $21.2 million in its second weekend. Wahlberg’s… Read More

WASHINGTON — Conserving oil is no longer an economic imperative for the U.S., the Trump administration declares in a major new policy statement that threatens to undermine decades of government campaigns for gas-thrifty cars and other conservation programs. The position was outlined in a memo released last month in support of the administration’s proposal to relax fuel mileage standards. The government released the memo online this month without fanfare. Growth of natural gas and other alternatives to petroleum has reduced the need for imported oil, which “in turn affects the need of the nation to conserve energy,” the Energy Department said. It also cites the now decade-old fracking revolution that… Read More

ATLANTA — Women are not just running for office in record numbers this year — they are winning. More women than ever before have won major party primaries for governor, U.S. Senate and House this year — setting a U.S. record and paving the way for November battles that could significantly increase the number of women in elected office and change the public debate on issues such as health care, immigration, abortion rights, education and gun control. Some of these candidates could also play a pivotal role in whether Democrats are able to take control of the U.S. House. Most of these female hopefuls are Democrats, some of whom are… Read More

CHENGANNUR, India — Some 800,000 people have been displaced and over 350 have died in the worst flooding in a century in southern India’s Kerala state, officials said Sunday, as rescuers searched for people stranded in the worst-affected areas. The downpours that started Aug. 8 have triggered floods and landslides and caused homes and bridges to collapse across Kerala, a picturesque state known for its quiet tropical backwaters and beautiful beaches. Thousands of rescuers were continuing efforts to reach out to stranded people and get relief supplies to isolated areas by hundreds of boats and nearly two dozen helicopters, said P.H. Kurian, a top disaster management official in Kerala. He… Read More