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Boil water advisory affecting 1.3 people in Montreal lifted

The Canadian PressMay 23, 2013 16:34

MONTREAL - A huge boil-water advisory affecting 1.3 million people in Montreal, described by local officials as unprecedented in the recorded history of the city, was lifted late Thursday. City officials ended the two-day-old advisory at 10:15 p.m., after tests concluded the water quality was fine. Mayor Michael Applebaum said the warning had been issued as a precaution after an abnormal drop in levels inside a filtration plant under renovation. “You can drink the water,” Applebaum told a news conference.

Oil market extends losses on China data, Bernanke

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 13:01

Global oil prices sank on Thursday in line with sharp falls on world stock markets, as traders worried about weak Chinese manufacturing data, and the strong dollar following comments from Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke, dealers said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July dived to a three-week low at $100.64 a barrel. It later stood at $101.86, down 74 cents from Wednesday's closing level. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for July, slipped 81 cents to $93.47 per barrel.

Oil market extends losses on China data, Bernanke

Agence France-PresseMay 23, 2013 07:45

Global oil prices sank on Thursday in line with sharp falls on world stock markets, as traders worried about weak Chinese manufacturing data and the strong dollar following comments from Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke, dealers said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July fell to a three-week low at $101.06 a barrel. It later stood at $102.06, down 54 cents from Wednesday's closing level. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for July, slipped 71 cents to $93.57 a barrel.

Montreal tells 1.3 million residents to boil their drinking water

Thomson ReutersMay 22, 2013 14:46

(Reuters) - Montreal, Canada's second-largest city, has asked 1.3 million people to boil their drinking water after a problem at one of the city's water treatment facilities. The advisory, posted on the city's website on Wednesday, covers much of the south and east of the city of 1.65 million. The order followed reports of brown-tinged water in parts of the city, and Montreal Fire Department division chief Gordon Routley told CTV News that the advisory was likely to be in effect for at least 24 hours.

Over one million affected by boil-water advisory in Montreal

The Canadian PressMay 22, 2013 14:15

MONTREAL - Over one million Montrealers were affected by a boil-water advisory Wednesday after an apparent malfunction at Canada's second-biggest filtration plant. The incident resulted in brownish water gushing from fire hydrants and an unpleasant aroma wafting, at least temporarily, over parts of the city. The boil-water advisory applied to most of the island and even some neighbouring areas. Local officials described it as unprecedented in the recent history of the city.

Scientists warn of human impact on world's water

Agencia EFEMay 21, 2013 13:00

Toronto, May 21 (EFE).- Human activity is altering the world's water system to a degree it has not experienced in more than 11,000 years, an international group of scientists says. "We have altered the Earth's climate and its chemistry, the snow cover, the permafrost, the extent of ice in the sea and glaciers, and the volume of the oceans. All of those are fundamental elements in the hydrological cycle," Anik Bhaduri, executive officer of the International Project Office of the Global Water System Project, told Efe.

Chinese rice mills investigated following reports of large-scale rice contamination

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 09:15

BEIJING, China - Authorities are investigating rice mills in southern China following tests that found almost half of the staple grain in one of the country's largest cities was contaminated with a toxic metal. The mills in Hunan province's Youxian county were ordered to suspend business and recall their products after samples showed excessive levels of cadmium, according to an official notice issued Tuesday by the county government. It said the mills had been operating legally and sourced their rice from local farmers.

Oil prices slide as traders take profits

Agence France-PresseMay 20, 2013 13:45

World oil prices slid on Monday as investors locked in profits from last week's gains that were made on the back of positive US consumer sentiment data, analysts said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July dropped 51 cents to $104.13 a barrel in London midday deals. New York's main contract, light sweet crude or West Texas Intermediate for June, fell 49 cents to $95.53 a barrel.

Oil rallies after jump in US consumer confidence

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 16:45

World oil prices rose for the third day in a row Friday after a better-than-expected reading on US consumer confidence boosted hopes for stronger energy demand in the top global economy. The US benchmark contract, West Texas Intermediate for June delivery, rose 86 cents from Thursday to close at $96.02 a barrel. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July also rose 86 cents, settling at $104.64 a barrel in London.

Pemex makes deep-water Gulf of Mexico find

Agencia EFEMay 17, 2013 14:15

Mexico City, May 17 (EFE).- Mexican state-owned oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos said it detected the presence of oil at a deep-water field in the Gulf of Mexico. "There are clear signs of the presence of hydrocarbons in Maximino, but final tests are still needed to fully confirm it," Pemex announced on Twitter. It said exploration work was continuing at the field, which is located on Mexico's side of the Perdido basin in a zone very near U.S. territorial waters. Pemex has previously found crude at other deep-water fields in the Perdido area.