EU Holds Emergency Meeting After Migrant Boat Capsizes; Hundreds Feared Dead
With 28 survivors reported and 24 bodies recovered, only a fraction of the hundreds of people who were reportedly on board are accounted for.
Environment
Palm Oil Plantations Are Blamed For Many Evils. But Change Is Coming
In Indonesia, efforts are underway to grow palms in a sustainable way. But that's putting a squeeze on small farmers.
Sad And Smelly: Massive Fish Die-Off At Rio's 2016 Olympic Site
More than 50 tons of dead fish have been removed from a Rio de Janeiro lagoon slated to host Olympic events. Specialists blame algae blooms but water quality has been a concern for Olympic organizers.
In Northwest, A Push To Protect Forest As Geothermal Projects Near
The Forest Service is set to open more than 80,000 acres for clean, renewable geothermal power in Washington state. But environmentalists are worried about damage to streams and old-growth forests.
Burlington Sewer Waste Spill Raises Concerns
City officials in Burlington are closely monitoring a local waterway after 20,000 gallons of sewer waste spilled into a creek over the weekend.
Social Media Can Help Track Tornadoes, But Was That Tweet Real?
Researchers at Purdue are using software to mine tweets for data that can help warn that a dangerous storm is approaching. But the data may not always be reliable and analyzing it can be tricky.
How Almonds Became A Scapegoat For California's Drought
The relentless drought has turned almonds into a target for water conservationists who bemoan that it takes one gallon of water to grow one almond. Growers say the bad rap is unfair and misleading.
Desalination Plants: Drought Cure Or Growth Enabler?
Desalination facilities are under construction across California that would make ocean water drinkable. Environmentalists debate whether more plants would only worsen long-term water issues.
In Record Drought, California Golf Course Ethically Keeps Greens Green
Golf courses are water hogs, and that thirst is especially notable as California's drought grows in severity. At Pelican Hill, a top golf course near Los Angeles, water conservation is an obsession.
Why Water Markets Might Work In California
When Australia suffered a drought in the 2000s, it set up markets to trade water rights. NPR's Linda Wertheimer asks McKenzie Funk whether water markets could help California.