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ARCTIC ICE SHELVES CRUMBLING Arctic sea ice extent stands at the second-lowest on record, because of an alarming rate of ice loss in August. According to satellite data, the sea ice extent was 526 hectares on August 26. Nearly 23 per cent of the total Arctic has disappeared since 2007, when the rate of ice loss was at an all-time low.

Kaziranga National Park authorities confirmed the death of 7 hog deer, 3 rhino calves and a swamp deer during floods. Two rhino calves were eaten by tigers, they said.

Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board asked people not to immerse plaster of Paris idols in water bodies during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

A garbage incineration plant in Beijing that remained closed during the Olympics has resumed operations to the ire of local residents.

Nigeria's minister has called for separating urban development issues from the environment ministry to manage rapid urbanization in Africa.

A pre-war deal between China and Iraq has been revived to develop Ahdab oil field even though there is no law yet governing its oil sector.

Droughts and anti-drug campaigns slashed Afghan's poppy cultivation by 19 per cent this year, says un. Taliban-dominated southern provinces show no improvement.

Patients waiting for nuclear imaging tests may face delays because of a global shortage of medical isotopes (molybdenum-99). Three isotope production reactors in Europe were closed for maintenance.

Radiation leak from a nuclear research institute in Belgium prompted authorities to caution against taking fruits, vegetables or dairy products grown in its vicinity.

The Netherlands has developed a mobile lab, Environm-ental Assessment Module, to support international response to environmental emergencies.

China launched two satellites named 'Environment 1' for monitoring ecological environment and natural disasters.

900 wildlife species, including many endangered ones, were relocated to give way to Dubai's largest industrial hub.

A giant panda cub has been successfully bred in Japan's Oji zoo by artificial insemination.

Mad cow disease can now be detected using a test similar to the pregnancy test. Scientists discovered high protein levels in the urine of infected cattle.

Oil leak from a ship is blamed for thousands of oil-slicked penguins who washed up dead on Brazil's beaches recently.

Energy-starved Uruguay is considering resorting to nuclear energy. Its constitution doesn't allow production and distribution of nuclear energy.

Eating less meat will help tackle global warming, says fao. Livestock sector generates more ghgs (18 per cent) than transport, degrades land and water bodies.

Rooftop gardens, more tree planting, compulsory water metering and greater awareness of flood risks are some of the measures suggested by London mayor to adapt to global warming challenges.

Japan plans to spend us $4 billion, a 27 per cent budget increase, in the next fiscal year on measures to cut ghg emissions. us $166 million will go to buy carbon credits.

Average emissions from new cars sold in Europe fell from 160 g/km in 2006 to 158 g/km in 2007, notes a study. Green groups say this is not enough to meet climate targets.

South Korea introduced a discounts scheme to promote energy efficient products. Buyers will get carbon points, which can be used to pay utilities, transport and other bills.

American Petroleum Institute and four business groups have joined Alaska in suing the federal government; they want polar bear's listing as a threatened species be reversed.

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70 UK MPs have asked the government to levy one-off windfall tax on energy and utility companies to ring-fence their profits for social and environmental causes.

A civilization was thriving inside the Amazon forests in west Brazil during the 15th century. Satellite images show signs of towns, villages, road networks, farming and wetland management in the area.

China will build its first scientific observatory in Antarctica's highest peak, Dome A, soon.

UN plans to develop Iraq's famed Fertile Crescent, a wetland ecosystem that was ravaged during the war, as a World Heritage Site.

Amazon deforestation increased by 69 per cent in the last one year. 308,800 ha of land was illegally cleared for cattle grazing and plantations.

Sri Lanka has asked all foreign aid workers to move out of the ltte -controlled north zone after fighting intensified.

12 USA states have sued epa for not issuing emissions standards to oil refineries.

IUCN classified African lions as vulnerable, with a 30-50 per cent estimated drop in population in the last 20 years. They are fewer than 1,000 now.

Climate change will melt the 21 remaining glaciers in the Pyrenees mountains before 2050, said Spanish researchers. 94 glaciers melted between 1880 and 1980.

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