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☆ Weakening Hurricane Norma Still Poses Threat to Mexico's Pacific Coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - Hurricane Norma has slightly weakened but remains a major storm poised to deliver heavy rainfall and flooding to the popular tourist coast of Mexico's Baja California peninsula over the next few days, the National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said on Friday. A gradual weakening is anticipated over the next few days, but Norma is forecast to still be a hurricane when it approaches the southern portion of Baja California Sur, said the NHC. Mexico's government has issued tropical storm warnings for various areas, including La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, and extending north from Todos Santos to the Santa Fe district. The hurricane center predicts that these regions will experience tropical storm conditions within a 36-hour time frame. The storm could result in up to 15 inches (38 cm) of rain in parts of Baja California, potentially causing flooding and landslides.

Persons: Norma, La, Natalia Siniawski, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Reuters, National Hurricane Centre, NHC, La Paz, Todos Santos, US Locations: Mexico's Baja California, Baja California Sur, Todos, Santa Fe, Baja California

☆ Category 4 Hurricane Norma churns towards Mexican Pacific coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Estado de Baja California FollowMEXICO CITY, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Hurricane Norma strengthened into a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday as it neared peak strength over the Pacific, though it was forecast to weaken before reaching the coast of popular tourist resorts on Mexico's Baja California peninsula. "The hurricane is likely near its peak intensity, although some small fluctuations cannot be ruled out today," the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said, with Norma still some 245 miles (394 km) away from the port city Manzanillo. The forecaster said Norma would likely begin weakening from Friday through the weekend, and approach land from late Friday. Baja California is home to the Los Cabos beach resorts. In the Atlantic, the NHC forecast tropical storm conditions across parts of the Lesser Antilles from Friday as Tropical Storm Tammy heads west at 15 mph (24 km), nearing the Leeward Islands "at or near hurricane intensity".

Persons: Norma, Tammy, Sarah Morland, Raul Cortes, Bernadette Baum, Alistair Bell Organizations: Estado, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Saturday, Virgin Islands, Thomson Locations: California, MEXICO, Baja California, Manzanillo, Lesser, Virgin, Puerto Rico, Guadeloupe

☆ Analysis: Use of weather derivatives surges as extreme climate events rock the globe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Harry Robertson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Weather derivatives were born in the late 1990s. Climate change and the El Nino weather phenomenon combined to make the northern hemisphere summer of 2023 the hottest ever recorded, according to the European Union Climate Change Service. Weather derivatives let buyers hedge against the risk that the weather will damage their business. Average open interest in CME weather futures and options contracts in September was around 170,000 contracts, compared to roughly 10 times that for crude oil - although market participants reckon 90% of the weather derivatives market is in over-the-counter deals. "Extreme weather events tend to make good marketing for weather futures," said Samuel Randalls, a professor at University College London who focuses on weather and climate.

Persons: Andrew ., Ken Griffin's, Peter Keavey, Griffin's Citadel, Nick Ernst, Ernst, Matthew Hunt, Samuel Randalls, David Whitehead, Whitehead, UCL's Randalls, BGC's Ernst, Martin Malinow, Harry Robertson, Emelia Sithole Organizations: NYPD, REUTERS, Energy, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Enron, CME Group, El, Change, Graphics, University College London, Citadel, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, Williamsburg, New York City, U.S, Paris, New York, Ukraine

☆ Use of weather derivatives surges as extreme climate events rock the globe
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Harry Robertson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

☆ 'Extremely dangerous' Category 4 Hurricane Lidia heads to Mexico's Pacific coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/9] Men board up the storefront of a business as Hurricane Lidia barrels towards Mexico's Pacific coast, in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico October 10, 2023. REUTERS/Christian Ruano Acquire Licensing RightsMEXICO CITY, Oct 10 (Reuters) - Hurricane Lidia reached Category 4 strength on Tuesday afternoon as it barreled towards Mexico's Pacific coast, where major beach and tourist resorts were bracing for significant downpours, likely flooding as well as imminent hurricane-force winds. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Hurricane Lidia was of "extremely dangerous" strength and could strengthen further before making landfall on Tuesday night. The hurricane was about 110 miles (177 km) southwest of major beach destination Puerto Vallarta, the Miami-based NHC reported in its latest bulletin at 5:30 p.m. The Puerto Vallarta airport announced on social media it was closing from 4 p.m. (2200 GMT) until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Persons: Lidia, Christian Ruano, Max, Raul Cortes Fernandez, Brendan O'Boyle, Isabel Woodford, Stephen Eisenhammer, Stephen Coates, Sandra Maler Organizations: REUTERS, Christian, MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Tropical, Thomson Locations: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, MEXICO, Miami, Puerto, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Guerrero

☆ Mexico's Pacific beach towns brace as Lidia becomes hurricane
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hurricane-force winds and flooding rains should begin to hit Mexico on Tuesday, the center said. The NHC warned of hurricane conditions from southern Jalisco state up to the Islas Marias off the Nayarit coast, and tropical storm conditions stretching north to Mazatlan and south to Manzanillo. A storm surge could also produce "significant coastal flooding" around where Lidia makes landfall, it added. This comes as Storm Max, which hit the southern state of Guerrero on Monday, weakens as it travels inland. The NHC warned that Max would bring strong winds across the southern coastline Monday night and could still produce flash flooding and mudslides across Guerrero and neighboring Michoacan states.

Persons: Storm Lidia, Lidia, Storm Max, Max, Sarah Morland, Diego Ore, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, U.S, National Hurricane Center, NHC, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Mexico, Hurricane, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Islas Marias, Nayarit, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, Sinaloa, California, Guerrero, Michoacan

☆ Remnants of Typhoon Koinu bring floods to Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman struggles with an umbrella while walking against strong wind, as Typhoon Koinu approaches, in Hong Kong, China October 8, 2023. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu Acquire Licensing RightsHONG KONG, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong saw heavy flooding on Monday as the remnants of Typhoon Koinu brought heavy rains and strong gales, with many areas inundated with water just a month after the city was paralysed by record-breaking rainfall. Koinu had weakened into a severe tropical storm but still brought gale-force winds and heavy rain, the city's Observatory said. It is due to reopen in the afternoon as strong winds are expected to ease later in the day. Reporting by Farah Master in Hong Kong and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Stephen Coates and Lincoln Feast.

Persons: Koinu, Tyrone Siu, Typhoon Koinu, Farah Master, Liz Lee, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Tyrone, city's, . Schools, RTHK, Express, Services, MTR, China Meteorological Administration, Thomson Locations: Hong Kong, China, HONG KONG, China's, Guangdong, Hong, Taishan, Zhuhai, Hainan, Fujian, Beijing, Lincoln

☆ China warns of big waves, wind and rain as Typhoon Koinu approaches
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

FILE PHOTO: A worker cuts the metal structure of a fallen sign before carrying it to truck after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI, Oct 7 (Reuters) - China warned on Saturday of big waves, heavy rain and strong wind as Typhoon Koinu approaches the southern province of Guangdong and Hainan island. Koinu, which means "puppy" in Japanese, is heading west along China's southern coast at a speed of 5-10 kph, the National Meteorological Centre. It is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late on Monday. Koinu had killed one person and injured almost 400 people in Taiwan, causing some of the most extensive damage on remote Orchid Island off the island's east coast.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Robert Birsel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South China, State Oceanic Administration, National Meteorological, Shanghai, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, Kenting, China, Guangdong, Hainan, South

☆ Heavy rainstorms to hit southern China after Typhoon Koinu batters Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Workers lift up a turned-over food cart after Typhoon Koinu passed the southern tip of Taiwan, in Kenting, Taiwan October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Heavy rainstorms and strong winds will hit southern China in the next three days as Typhoon Koinu approaches the coast of Guangdong province after killing one and injuring hundreds in Taiwan. Typhoon Koinu, which means "puppy" in Japanese, will bring heavy rain along the coasts of Guangdong and neighbouring Fujian province in the next three days, China's National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds, the third highest in a four-coloured warning system. The typhoon is expected to weaken into a strong tropical storm from late Friday and grow weaker as it heads west along China's southern coast, it said.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Typhoon Koinu, Albee Zhang, Ben Blanchard, Michael Perry 私 Organizations: Workers, REUTERS, Rights, National Meteorological Centre, NMC Locations: Taiwan, Kenting, Rights BEIJING, China, Guangdong, Fujian, Shanwei, Beijing, Taipei

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Zimbabwe has recorded 100 suspected deaths from cholera and more than 5,000 possible cases since late last month, prompting the government to impose restrictions to stop the spread of the disease, including limiting numbers at funerals and stopping some social gatherings in affected areas. The health ministry announced the death toll late Wednesday and said 30 of the deaths had been confirmed as from cholera through laboratory tests. Political Cartoons View All 1199 ImagesZimbabwe has often imposed restrictions during its repeated outbreaks of cholera. In southern Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique have all had recent cholera outbreaks. More than 4,000 people died in Zimbabwe's worst cholera outbreak in 2008.

Organizations: —, World Health Organization, ___ AP Locations: HARARE, Zimbabwe, — Zimbabwe, Masvingo, Harare, Africa, Malawi, South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi's, ___, africa

☆ Millions off work as Typhoon Koinu brushes past Taiwan with lashing rain
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A woman sits by the shore while looking at waves breaking as Typhoon Koinu approaches, in Taitung, Taiwan October 4, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Acquire Licensing RightsTAITUNG, Taiwan, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Typhoon Koinu began brushing past the rural far southern tip of Taiwan on Thursday, injuring 190 but causing no deaths, as lashing rains and strong winds cancelled work and classes for millions in a swathe of cities across the island. Taiwan's fire department reported 190 injuries but no deaths, as well as some minor damage to buildings. Taiwan's two main domestic airlines, UNI Air and Mandarin Airlines, cancelled most of their flights for Thursday, while ferries to outlying islands were also stopped. A total of 42 international flights were also cancelled, the transport ministry, said, but the high speed rail connecting northern and southern Taiwan was unaffected.

Persons: Koinu, Carlos Garcia Rawlins, Fabian Hamacher, Carlos Garcia, Ben Blanchard, Gerry Doyle Organizations: REUTERS, UNI Air, Mandarin Airlines, Thomson Locations: Taitung, Taiwan, Koinu, Guangdong, Pingtung, Hualien, Kaohsiung, Taipei

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tropical Storm Philippe aimed for Bermuda on Thursday on a path that would eventually take it to Atlantic Canada and eastern New England. The storm was located 520 miles (835 kilometers) south of Bermuda on Thursday morning. A tropical storm warning was in effect for Bermuda, with forecasters warning of heavy rainfall starting Thursday evening. Philippe's center is expected to pass near Bermuda on Friday and then approach eastern New England and Atlantic Canada on Saturday as a post-tropical cyclone. Philippe is a large storm, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 230 miles (370 kilometers) from its center.

Persons: Philippe, Thomas, John Organizations: JUAN, Atlantic Canada, U.S . Virgin Locations: Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Atlantic Canada, New England, Atlantic, Barbuda, U.S, U.S . Virgin Islands

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Wab Kinew will soon be the only First Nations premier in Canadian history after voters in Manitoba elected a New Democratic Party government on Tuesday. "This is a great victory for all of us in Manitoba," Kinew told supporters at NDP campaign headquarters Tuesday night. He said becoming the first-ever First Nations premier would show Canada is changing for the better. "It's a very challenging role to be a First Nations premier. Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba; editing by Denny Thomas and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kinew, Justin Trudeau, Kelly Saunders, Trudeau, Real Carriere, Rod Nickel, Denny Thomas, Marguerita Choy Organizations: First Nations, New Democratic Party, CBC, NDP, Progressive Conservatives, Conservatives, Liberal, Brandon University, Reuters, Nations, University of Manitoba, Thomson Locations: WINNIPEG, Manitoba, Canada, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Winnipeg , Manitoba

☆ Insurers are seeking a way to make money from your climate change travel anxiety
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Ellen Sheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

More travel and disrupted travel plans have meant more interest in travel insurance, which covers trip cancellation, lost luggage and delays. "The baseline of normal has changed significantly," said Jeff Rolander, vice president of claims at Faye Travel Insurance. More travelers seeking out trip insuranceConsumers are reacting to increasingly extreme and unpredictable natural disasters by more often opting into travel insurance. According to Squaremouth.com, a travel insurance quoting and comparison engine, the travel insurance market has grown significantly since 2020, when travel came to a halt. But increased delays due to extreme weather are also contributing to the growth.

Persons: Jeff Rolander, Squaremouth.com, Nick Lazzari Organizations: Faye Travel Insurance Locations: Rhodes, North America, Mexico

☆ Flights cancelled, work suspended as typhoon Koinu grinds towards Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TAIPEI, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Typhoon Koinu grinded towards southern Taiwan on Wednesday bringing heavy rain and winds and causing the cancellation of 70 domestic flights and suspension of work and schools in urban areas in southern parts of the island from the evening. Kaohsiung and its neighbouring city of Tainan said they would suspend work and classes from 6 pm (1000GMT) on Wednesday as the weather worsens. After passing through Taiwan, the typhoon will head towards southern China's Guangdong and Fujian provinces and then Hong Kong, where it is likely to weaken further to become a tropical storm. Hong Kong's Weather Observatory said Koinu will enter within 800 km (500 miles) of the financial hub on Wednesday afternoon. Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Koinu, Ben Blanchard, Farah Master, Simon Cameron, Moore Organizations: Wednesday, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, Taitung, Taiwan Strait, Pingtung, Hualien, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Guangdong, Fujian, Hong Kong

☆ Flash floods foreshadow a threatening reality in New York City
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( Denise Chow | Evan Bush | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Cars drive along a flooded street on Church Avenue amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City. And more than a decade after Hurricane Sandy forced officials to rethink the meaning of climate resilience in New York City, it appears there's still much to be done. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island and the Hudson Valley, calling the storm a "life-threatening rainfall event." The storm caused about $19 billion in damage to New York City. In densely populated cities like New York, flooding risks are heightened because of the built environment and lack of green spaces.

Persons: Michael M, Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Sandy, Joseph Kane, Steve Bowen, Gallagher, Bowen, Kathy Hochul, Eric Adams, Spencer Platt, Zachary Iscol, Sandy, Superstorm Sandy, Louise Yeung, Yeung, Hurricane Sandy —, Ida, Mona Hemmati, Hemmati, Andrew Kelly Organizations: Brooklyn borough New, Santiago, Getty, Hurricane, Brookings Institute, NBC News, Gallagher Re, . New York Gov, York City, Prospect, Columbia Climate School, New York City Department of Environmental Locations: Flatbush, Brooklyn borough, Brooklyn borough New York City, New York City, Brooklyn, New York, New York , New Jersey, Connecticut, Long, Hudson, York, Brooklyn Borough, Zachary Iscol , New York, Hurricane, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Manhattan, Williamsburg, U.S

"Of course, we know, this is result of climate change. This is unfortunately what we have to expect as the new normal," Hochul said in an address. Hochul warned of "life-threatening" floods and declared a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. She hailed the response of authorities and said on Saturday that no fatalities were reported despite the heavy rain. The New York governor added she spoke to the White House and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and said they were prepared to support a federal emergency declaration of disaster if necessary.

Persons: Kathy Hochul, Hochul, Chuck Schumer, Kanishka Singh, Andrea Ricci Organizations: NYPD, New, Central Park Zoo, Metro North, Metropolitan Transportation Agency, White, Thomson Locations: Manhattan, Williamsburg, New York City, U.S, Central, Long, Hudson, New York, Washington

Manitoba had a Metis premier in the late 1800s and the Nunavut territory currently has an Inuk premier. Kinew, 41 and a former television journalist, would be the first Canadian premier who identifies as First Nations. The Conservatives, currently led by Manitoba's first female premier, Heather Stefanson, 53, have ruled the western farming, mining and manufacturing province since 2016. Manitoba's legislature has 57 seats and a party needs to win 29 to win a majority and govern without another party's support. Reporting by Rod Nickel in Winnipeg, Manitoba Editing by Denny Thomas and Marguerita ChoyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kelly Saunders, Manitoba's, Heather Stefanson, Allen Mills, Rod Nickel, Denny Thomas, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Nations, Kinew's New Democratic Party, Progressive Conservatives, First, Brandon University, Manitoba, Metis, Canadian, First Nations, NDP, Probe Research, Conservatives, University of Winnipeg, Liberals, Thomson Locations: WINNIPEG, Manitoba, First Nations, Nunavut, Winnipeg

☆ State of emergency issued for NYC area as heavy rain, flooding expected to last hours
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Maria Larosa | Janice Huff | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Forecasts are reinforcing the potential for heavy rain centered around the NYC area from Friday into Saturday morning. Parts of New York City have already seen five inches of rain as of 11 a.m. People walk under umbrellas amid heavy rain on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City. Bouts of heavy rain made morning commute nightmarish and conditions only continued to worsen; it will be even more widespread throughout the afternoon and evening. Cars drive through slight flooding on Ocean Avenue amid heavy rain on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough New York City.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Michael M, Kathy Hochul, Hochul, Ophelia, Taylor, Janno Lieber, Lieber, it's, Spencer Platt, It's, Zach Iscol, Phil Murphy, Murphy, Ravi Bhalla, Bhalla Organizations: NYPD, Reuters, LaGuardia, Brooklyn borough New, Santiago, Getty, New York Gov, Yorkers, NBC, Sunday's Chiefs, Jets, New, NOAA MTA, MTA, Prospect, The New, The New York City Emergency Management Department, Emergency, Getty Images New, Getty Images New Jersey Gov, Schools, New York Public Schools, Mets, Phillies, Citi Field Locations: Manhattan, Williamsburg, New York City, U.S, NYC, New Jersey, Hudson, Connecticut, Flatbush, Brooklyn borough, Brooklyn borough New York City, Long, NBC New York, Ocean, Monmouth, Jersey Shore, Brooklyn, Brooklyn Borough, The New York City, Getty Images New Jersey, Hoboken

[1/7] An abandoned vehicle sits in floodwaters during a heavy rain storm in the New York City suburb of Mamaroneck in Westchester County, New York, U.S., September 29, 2023. The extreme rainfall prompted New York Governor Kathy to declare a state of emergency for New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. Systems producing intense rainfalls have become more commonplace in many parts of the United States, including the New York City area, in recent years. That storm soaked New York City and caused widespread power outages in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In New York, intermittent rain this week further saturated the ground, setting up conditions conducive to flash flooding.

Persons: Mike Segar, John F, Zack Taylor, Taylor, Kathy, Carlos Ogando, Ophelia, Jonathan Allen, Brendan O'Brien, Rich McKay, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: New, REUTERS, Kennedy International Airport, National Weather Service, Center, Metro North, Metropolitan Transportation Agency, Systems, Thomson Locations: New York City, Mamaroneck, Westchester County , New York, U.S, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, College Park , Maryland, Long, Hudson, United States, New York, East, Bronxville, New York's Westchester County, Hoboken, New Jersey, North Carolina , Virginia, Pennsylvania, In New York, Chicago, Atlanta

☆ US National Zoo Bids Farewell to Pandas as Government Shutdown Looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

(Reuters) - Washington's National Zoo is honoring its three giant pandas with nine days of events ahead of their return to China but stormy weather and a looming U.S. government shutdown have put something of a damper on the festivities. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji are scheduled to be returned in early December. The zoo, operated by the Smithsonian Institute, receives federal funding, and would be forced to close to the public during a government shutdown, according to its website. Mei Xiang, 25, and Tian Tian, 26, came to the zoo in 2000 under a cooperative research and breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The zoo did not say whether it has any immediate plans to acquire more giant pandas, but said on its website that it "hopes to continue this work in the future."

Persons: Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, Xiao Qi Ji, Xiang, Zhou Enlai, Richard Nixon's, Julia Harte, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Reuters, Embassy, Smithsonian Institute, China Wildlife Conservation Association Locations: China, U.S, Washington, United States

☆ US National Zoo bids farewell to pandas as government shutdown looms
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Visitors take photos of giant panda Mei Xiang eating bamboo during the reopening morning of Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, U.S., May 21, 2021. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji are scheduled to be returned in early December. The shutdown would not disrupt animal care, but the zoo's popular live "Panda Cam" would go dark. Mei Xiang, 25, and Tian Tian, 26, came to the zoo in 2000 under a cooperative research and breeding agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The zoo did not say whether it has any immediate plans to acquire more giant pandas, but said on its website that it "hopes to continue this work in the future."

Persons: Kevin Lamarque, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, Xiao Qi Ji, Xiang, Zhou Enlai, Richard Nixon's, Julia Harte, Bill Berkrot Organizations: REUTERS, Embassy, Smithsonian Institute, China Wildlife Conservation Association, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, U.S, Washington, United States

☆ Ophelia brings more rain and flood risk to US East Coast
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Storm Ophelia makes its way up the U.S. east coast. National Hurricane Center via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSept 24 (Reuters) - Ophelia, downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, brought more rain and wind as it moved along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, forecasters said on Sunday. Between one and three inches of rain could fall in areas impacted by Ophelia, and forecasters warned that life-threatening surf and rip currents would impact much of the East Coast throughout the weekend. The National Weather Service in New York expected one or two feet of "inundation above ground level" in waterfront areas of Long Island's Suffolk County. Tropical storm Philippe was about 1,175 miles (1890 kilometers) west of the Cabo Verde islands which are near the West Coast of Africa.

Persons: Ophelia, Philippe, Maria Caspani, Chizu Organizations: National Hurricane Center, REUTERS Acquire, National Weather Service, Thomson Locations: U.S, United States, Emerald Isle , North Carolina, New England, East, New Jersey, New York, Long Island's Suffolk County, Cabo Verde, West Coast of Africa

Videos from social media showed riverfront communities in North Carolina such as New Bern, Belhaven and Washington experiencing significant flooding. Tens of thousands of North Carolina homes and businesses remained without electricity across several eastern counties as of Saturday afternoon, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility reports. A Duke Energy map showed scattered power outages across much of eastern North Carolina, as winds toppled tree limbs and snagged power lines. Brian Haines, a spokesperson for the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, said there were reports of downed trees but no major road closings. The governors of North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland each declared a state of emergency on Friday.

Persons: Ophelia, Philippe Papin, Papin, Jeff Brooks, WTVD, Brian Haines, Carl Cannon Jr, Cannon Jr, ”, Michael Brennan, “, ” Brennan, Lee, Aaron Montgomery, ___ Mattise, Jackie Quinn, Ron Todt, Sudhin, Christopher Weber Organizations: U.S, National Hurricane Center, Coast Guard, Duke Energy, North Carolina Division, Emergency Management, Beaufort Pirate, AP Radio Locations: ANNAPOLIS, Md, North Carolina, Virginia, Richmond , Virginia, Charlottesville , Virginia, Delmarva, New Jersey, Jersey, Sea Isle City, New York, New England, East Coast, Emerald Isle , North Carolina, New Bern, Belhaven, Washington, Lookout Bight, Cape Lookout , North Carolina, North, Banks, Beaufort, “, Maryland, Boston , New York City, Williamsburg , Virginia, Virginia Beach, Nashville , Tennessee, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Los Angeles

☆ How insurance companies are battered by hurricane season and climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Yun Li | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Insurance companies are in a tough spot with this year's stronger-than-average hurricane season, while climate-related perils continue to push catastrophe losses higher. Adding fuel to the industry's woes is the higher frequency of secondary perils, such as wildfires and flooding, due to climate change. These increased occurrences have been slowly adding to primary insurers' catastrophe losses and limiting profitability. While the industry is currently in the middle of peak hurricane season, insurance stocks typically rebound when the size of the insured losses become apparent or are announced by the companies, according to Piper Sandler. Insurance stocks tend to fall initially as big hurricanes near landfall and the likely extent of damage is appraised.

Persons: Piper Sandler, Paul Newsome, Newsome, Chubb, Bob Huang, Morgan Stanley, Huang Organizations: Atlantic, . Insurance, Insurance, Allstate, American International Group, Progressive, Universal Insurance Holdings, Everest Re Locations: Florida, Maui, Hawaii, California

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