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Archive for January 11th, 2011
Malaysia: Preserving Kuala Langat South Peat Swamp Forest
Posted by Malaysian Star: Stuart Michael and Christina Low on January 11th, 2011
Malaysian Star: DUE to fear of losing the Kuala Langat South Peat Swamp Forest (KLSPSF) to agriculture, non-government organisations and government organisations have got together to document rare species of animals, birds, trees and plants in the area.
Their intention is to stop the state from allowing it to become an oil palm plantation and preserve one of the last remaining peat swamps in Selangor.
Recently, the Selangor government had approved a Selangor State Agricultural Corporation proposal to turn...
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Australian floods kill nine as waters threaten Brisbane
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 11th, 2011
Guardian: Nine people are dead and more than 70 are missing after flooding in the Australian state of Queensland devastated several towns and sent torrents raging through many communities. Floodwaters are now heading for Brisbane where the river, which runs through the centre of the city, has broken its banks and police have urged local residents to begin evacuations.
Police described the wall of water that swept through the city of Toowoomba, west of Brisbane, as an "inland instant tsunami". Cars were...
Australian floods could send food prices soaring
Posted by Reuters: Victoria Thieberger on January 11th, 2011
Reuters: The worst flooding in the Australian state of Queensland in 50 years could push up the nation's fruit and vegetable prices by as much as 20 to 30 percent, lifting inflation and potentially dampening retail spending.
Economists and the country's top supermarket chains said new, torrential flooding and rains across farmlands in southeastern Queensland in the past day had damaged crops and cut roads, preventing moving goods to market.
Unlike some previous natural disasters, which affected a smaller...
Australia: Eight killed and 72 missing after raging torrents rush through Queensland
Posted by Washington Post: Juliet Eilperin on January 11th, 2011
Associated Press: At least eight people were killed and 72 missing after the latest downpour to hit Australia's flood-wracked Queensland state sent raging torrents rushing through several towns, washing away cars and houses, officials said last night.
Emergency services plucked more than 40 people from houses isolated by the torrent that hit the Lockyer Valley with little warning yesterday, but thunderstorms and driving rain were keeping helicopters from reaching an unknown number of other people still in danger...