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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.

Oil prices extend gains

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 08:30

World oil prices rose further Friday on talk of a potential scaling back of US stimulus measures and despite a stronger dollar making crude more expensive for holders of rival currencies, analysts said. Brent North Sea crude for delivery in July grew 69 cents to $104.47 a barrel in London midday deals. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for June, climbed 48 cents to $95.64 a barrel.

Researchers recover rare earths from ores using salmon milt

Kyodo News InternationalMay 17, 2013 02:46

A Japanese research team has found a more effective and less costly way of recovering rare earths from mineral ores by using salmon milt, it said Friday amid global interest in the materials essential for producing high-tech products such as hybrid car motors and mobile phone parts.

Rio Tinto puts largest 'red' diamond on market

Agence France-PresseMay 17, 2013 01:15

Rio Tinto said Friday it was putting up for sale the biggest "red" diamond ever produced by its Australian mine amid an "explosion" in demand from Asia for the rare pink-hued stones. The Argyle Phoenix, a 1.56 carat gem, is one of three red diamonds on offer at the annual Argyle Pink Diamonds Tender -- the first time in the 30-year history of the exclusive sale that it has included three red stones. "This is the largest red that has ever come from the Argyle diamond mine," Argyle Pink Diamonds manager Josephine Johnson told AFP as she held the stone.