Millions of people across the western United States and Canada were hit Sunday by a new round of scorching hot temperatures, with some roads closed, train traffic limited and new evacuations ordered.

In Canada, with wildfires continuing to spread -- including 50 more blazes erupting in the past two days -- the government announced new emergency measures aimed at preventing further fires.

Sweltering conditions hit much of the Pacific seaboard and as far inland as the western edge of the Rocky Mountains over the weekend. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-pacific-north-west-heatwave-killed-almost-200-people-396895">Also read | US Pacific north-west heatwave killed almost 200 people</a> 
 
"A dangerous heatwave will affect much of the western US, with record-breaking temperatures likely," the National Weather Service said on its website Sunday, while Canadian meteorologists predicted highs approaching 90 Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) in parts of western Canada -- well above seasonal norms. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-place-is-safe-reveal-scientists-amid-unprecedented-heatwave-in-parts-of-us-and-canada-395939">Also read | No place is safe, reveal scientists amid unprecedented heatwave in parts of US and Canada</a> 
 
Las Vegas on Saturday matched its record of 117 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) -- a temperature recorded in the desert entertainment city once in 1942 and three other times since 2005.

Sunday was expected to be only a few degrees cooler there, while Death Valley, California -- often the nation's hottest spot -- was headed for a high of 126 degrees Fahrenheit.

Forecasters issued an excessive heat warning for several other urban centres including the southern city of Phoenix and San Jose, the centre of the Silicon Valley tech industry south of San Francisco. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-canada-experience-heatwave-un-confirms-record-heat-in-antarctica-395224">Also read |&nbsp;As US &amp; Canada experience heatwave, UN confirms record heat in Antarctica</a>

The weekend's hot weather follows an earlier heat wave that struck the western United States and Canada at the end of June.

The scorching conditions saw the record daily temperature broken three days in a row in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Warming temperatures

Canadian transport minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday announced new emergency measures aimed at preventing further wildfires in the tinder-dry region, including steps to slow or limit train traffic.

Trains are a common cause of wildfires, often when their spark-arresting devices are poorly maintained.

Several roads and highways in the area have been closed as the government rated the wildfire risk in much of the province as "extreme." A dozen towns or locales remained under evacuation orders.

The Canadian government has sent investigators to the town of Lytton, 150 miles (250 kilometres) northeast of Vancouver, to see whether a passing cargo train might have caused a late June fire that destroyed 90 per cent of the town.

The overall deaths in British Columbia were not yet known but are thought to run into the hundreds.

As of Sunday morning, the number of wildfires across British Columbia was continuing to rise, hitting 298, authorities said.

In the US state of Oregon, the Bootleg Fire more than tripled in size between Friday and Sunday, gaining more than 100,000 acres, according to the US Forest Service.

Last month was the hottest June on record in North America, according to data released by the European Union's climate monitoring service.

Human activity has driven global temperatures up, stoking increasingly fierce storms, extreme heatwaves, droughts and wildfires.

The World Meteorological Organisation and Britain's Met Office said in May there was a 40 per cent chance of the annual average global temperature temporarily surpassing 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures within the next five years.

The past six years, including 2020, have been the six warmest on record.

Millions of people across the western United States and Canada were hit Sunday by a new round of scorching hot temperatures, with some roads closed, train traffic limited and new evacuations ordered.

Millions of people across the western United States and Canada were hit Sunday by a new round of scorching hot temperatures, with some roads closed, train traffic limited and new evacuations ordered. In Canada, with wildfires continuing to spread -- including 50 more blazes erupting in the past two days -- the government announced new emergency measures aimed at preventing further fires. Sweltering conditions hit much of the Pacific seaboard and as far inland as the western edge of the Rocky Mountains over the weekend. Also read | US Pacific north-west heatwave killed almost 200 people "A dangerous heatwave will affect much of the western US, with record-breaking temperatures likely," the National Weather Service said on its website Sunday, while Canadian meteorologists predicted highs approaching 90 Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) in parts of western Canada -- well above seasonal norms. Also read | No place is safe, reveal scientists amid unprecedented heatwave in parts of US and Canada Las Vegas on Saturday matched its record of 117 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) -- a temperature recorded in the desert entertainment city once in 1942 and three other times since 2005. Sunday was expected to be only a few degrees cooler there, while Death Valley, California -- often the nation's hottest spot -- was headed for a high of 126 degrees Fahrenheit. Forecasters issued an excessive heat warning for several other urban centres including the southern city of Phoenix and San Jose, the centre of the Silicon Valley tech industry south of San Francisco. Also read | As US & Canada experience heatwave, UN confirms record heat in Antarctica The weekend's hot weather follows an earlier heat wave that struck the western United States and Canada at the end of June. The scorching conditions saw the record daily temperature broken three days in a row in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Warming temperatures Canadian transport minister Omar Alghabra on Sunday announced new emergency measures aimed at preventing further wildfires in the tinder-dry region, including steps to slow or limit train traffic. Trains are a common cause of wildfires, often when their spark-arresting devices are poorly maintained. Several roads and highways in the area have been closed as the government rated the wildfire risk in much of the province as "extreme." A dozen towns or locales remained under evacuation orders. The Canadian government has sent investigators to the town of Lytton, 150 miles (250 kilometres) northeast of Vancouver, to see whether a passing cargo train might have caused a late June fire that destroyed 90 per cent of the town. The overall deaths in British Columbia were not yet known but are thought to run into the hundreds. As of Sunday morning, the number of wildfires across British Columbia was continuing to rise, hitting 298, authorities said. In the US state of Oregon, the Bootleg Fire more than tripled in size between Friday and Sunday, gaining more than 100,000 acres, according to the US Forest Service. Last month was the hottest June on record in North America, according to data released by the European Union's climate monitoring service. Human activity has driven global temperatures up, stoking increasingly fierce storms, extreme heatwaves, droughts and wildfires. The World Meteorological Organisation and Britain's Met Office said in May there was a 40 per cent chance of the annual average global temperature temporarily surpassing 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures within the next five years. The past six years, including 2020, have been the six warmest on record.

Millions in the US, Canada hit by new rounds of scorching hot temperatures

As per British Columbia scientists, more than 1 billion marine animals along Canada’s Pacific coast are likely to have died from last week’s heatwave.

The heatwave is believed to have killed at least 500 people in Canada, however, it has also had an impact on marine life.

Christopher Harley, a marine biologist at the University of British Columbia, calculated that more than a billion marine animals may have been killed by the unusual heat.

As per Harley, a walk along a Vancouver-area beach highlighted the magnitude of devastation brought on by the heatwave.&nbsp;

He was quoted by the Guardian saying, "The shore doesn’t usually crunch when you walk on it. But there were so many empty mussel shells lying everywhere that you just couldn’t avoid stepping on dead animals while walking around".

He added, "Harley was struck by the smell of rotting mussels, many of which were in effect cooked by the abnormally warm water. Snails, sea stars and clams were decaying in the shallow water. “

It was an overpowering, visceral experience".

Mussels are hardy shellfish, which can tolerate temperatures into the high 30s. Barnacles are sturdier, surviving the mid-40s for at least a few hours.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-heat-wave-british-columbia-sees-195-increase-in-sudden-deaths-with-486-cases-reported-395117">Also read |&nbsp;Canada heat wave: British Columbia sees 195% increase in sudden deaths with 486 cases reported</a>

As per Harley, the mass death of Shellfish would temporarily affect water quality because mussels and clams help filter the sea.

Also, they keep it clear enough that sunlight reaches the eelgrass beds, creating habitats for other species.&nbsp;

Harley also received reports from colleagues of dead sea anemones, rockfish and oysters.

As per experts, the province needs to adapt to the reality that sudden and sustained heatwaves are likely to become more common. They attributed it to climate change.

The Guardian quoted Harley saying, "“The nerdy ecologist part of me is excited to see what will happen in the coming years."

He added, “But most of the rest of me is kind of depressed by it. A lot of species are not going to be able to keep up with the pace of change. Ecosystems are going to change in ways that are really difficult to predict. We don’t know where the tipping points are.”

As per British Columbia scientists, more than 1 billion marine animals along Canada’s Pacific coast are likely to have died from last week’s heatwave. The heatwave is believed to have killed at least 500 people in Canada, however, it has also had an impact on marine life.

As per British Columbia scientists, more than 1 billion marine animals along Canada’s Pacific coast are likely to have died from last week’s heatwave. The heatwave is believed to have killed at least 500 people in Canada, however, it has also had an impact on marine life. Christopher Harley, a marine biologist at the University of British Columbia, calculated that more than a billion marine animals may have been killed by the unusual heat. As per Harley, a walk along a Vancouver-area beach highlighted the magnitude of devastation brought on by the heatwave. He was quoted by the Guardian saying, "The shore doesn’t usually crunch when you walk on it. But there were so many empty mussel shells lying everywhere that you just couldn’t avoid stepping on dead animals while walking around". He added, "Harley was struck by the smell of rotting mussels, many of which were in effect cooked by the abnormally warm water. Snails, sea stars and clams were decaying in the shallow water. “ It was an overpowering, visceral experience". Mussels are hardy shellfish, which can tolerate temperatures into the high 30s. Barnacles are sturdier, surviving the mid-40s for at least a few hours. Also read | Canada heat wave: British Columbia sees 195% increase in sudden deaths with 486 cases reported As per Harley, the mass death of Shellfish would temporarily affect water quality because mussels and clams help filter the sea. Also, they keep it clear enough that sunlight reaches the eelgrass beds, creating habitats for other species. Harley also received reports from colleagues of dead sea anemones, rockfish and oysters. As per experts, the province needs to adapt to the reality that sudden and sustained heatwaves are likely to become more common. They attributed it to climate change. The Guardian quoted Harley saying, "“The nerdy ecologist part of me is excited to see what will happen in the coming years." He added, “But most of the rest of me is kind of depressed by it. A lot of species are not going to be able to keep up with the pace of change. Ecosystems are going to change in ways that are really difficult to predict. We don’t know where the tipping points are.”

Experts believe heatwave killed 1 billion marine animals on Canada coast

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim.

A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines.

The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, Italy shall resume further investigation in the case against the marines -- Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone.

The top court termed the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation paid by Italy over and above the payment already made as “reasonable and adequate”.

It said that out of the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation, Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each shall be deposited in the name of heirs of two deceased Kerala fishermen and Rs 2 crore ($ 20 million)&nbsp;shall be given to owner of boat.

The top court said that Rs 10 crore&nbsp;($ 100 million) deposited in apex court’s registry shall be transferred to the Kerala High Court, which will make a fixed deposit of Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each in the name of heirs of the two deceased fishermen for some time.

The bench said that heirs of fishermen will be able to withdraw the interest amount during the period of fixed deposit of compensation money, so that entire money is not misappropriated.

In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India''s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

On June 11, the top court had said that it would pass orders on closure of proceedings in India against the Italian marines. Earlier, the top court was informed by the Kerala government that Rs 4 core each would be given to the heirs of two deceased fishermen and the rest Rs 2 core ($ 20 million) would be paid to the owner of the fishing vessel St. Antony on which the two were shot dead.

The top court had said that it was of the view that the compensation money be transferred to the Kerala High Court for disbursal and ensuring that the amount does not fritter away.

The Centre had informed the top court earlier that Italy has deposited Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) with it over and above the ex-gratia paid earlier and the same has been deposited by the Union Ministry of External Affairs with the apex court's registry as directed.

“There was an award by International Tribunal, which we as a Nation have accepted. The agreement is among Republic of Italy, India and the Kerala government,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said.

The dispute before the international tribunal was as to which country, Italy or India, has the jurisdiction to prosecute the marines and it was decided that both the nations have the “concurrent jurisdiction”, Mehta had said.

“But based on facts it was decided that India would not pursue the criminal case and proceedings would be started in Italy,” he had said.

The Centre has also told the top court that Italy has assured the Indian government that it would prosecute the marines there as per law and that maximum compensation will be ensured to the victims'' family members.

The Centre had referred to the last year's ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague which held that India was entitled to get compensation in the case but can't prosecute the marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them.

It had said the arbitration under United Nation Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which was instituted on a request from Italy, has delivered its Award on May 21, 2020.

Latorre, who had suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was first granted bail and allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him.

In Italy, Latorre underwent a heart surgery after which the top court granted him extension of his stay in his native country.

On September 28, 2016, the apex court had allowed Latorre to remain in his country till the international arbitral tribunal decided the jurisdictional issue.

On May 26, 2016, Girone was also granted bail with certain conditions and allowed by the top court to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue was decided.

The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat ''St Antony'' in which two Kerala fishermen were killed when marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the closure of criminal proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and asked the Kerala High Court to oversee the apportionment of Rs 10 ($ 100 million) crore compensation to the heirs of the victim. A vacation bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah quashed the FIR and proceedings emanating from the case against the two Italian marines. The bench said that as per the international arbitral award accepted by India, Italy shall resume further investigation in the case against the marines -- Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone. The top court termed the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation paid by Italy over and above the payment already made as “reasonable and adequate”. It said that out of the Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) compensation, Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each shall be deposited in the name of heirs of two deceased Kerala fishermen and Rs 2 crore ($ 20 million) shall be given to owner of boat. The top court said that Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) deposited in apex court’s registry shall be transferred to the Kerala High Court, which will make a fixed deposit of Rs 4 crore ($ 40 million) each in the name of heirs of the two deceased fishermen for some time. The bench said that heirs of fishermen will be able to withdraw the interest amount during the period of fixed deposit of compensation money, so that entire money is not misappropriated. In February 2012, India had accused the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker -- of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India''s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). On June 11, the top court had said that it would pass orders on closure of proceedings in India against the Italian marines. Earlier, the top court was informed by the Kerala government that Rs 4 core each would be given to the heirs of two deceased fishermen and the rest Rs 2 core ($ 20 million) would be paid to the owner of the fishing vessel St. Antony on which the two were shot dead. The top court had said that it was of the view that the compensation money be transferred to the Kerala High Court for disbursal and ensuring that the amount does not fritter away. The Centre had informed the top court earlier that Italy has deposited Rs 10 crore ($ 100 million) with it over and above the ex-gratia paid earlier and the same has been deposited by the Union Ministry of External Affairs with the apex court's registry as directed. “There was an award by International Tribunal, which we as a Nation have accepted. The agreement is among Republic of Italy, India and the Kerala government,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said. The dispute before the international tribunal was as to which country, Italy or India, has the jurisdiction to prosecute the marines and it was decided that both the nations have the “concurrent jurisdiction”, Mehta had said. “But based on facts it was decided that India would not pursue the criminal case and proceedings would be started in Italy,” he had said. The Centre has also told the top court that Italy has assured the Indian government that it would prosecute the marines there as per law and that maximum compensation will be ensured to the victims'' family members. The Centre had referred to the last year's ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague which held that India was entitled to get compensation in the case but can't prosecute the marines due to official immunity enjoyed by them. It had said the arbitration under United Nation Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), which was instituted on a request from Italy, has delivered its Award on May 21, 2020. Latorre, who had suffered a brain stroke on August 31, 2014, was first granted bail and allowed by the apex court on September 12, 2014 to go to Italy for four months and after that, extensions have been granted to him. In Italy, Latorre underwent a heart surgery after which the top court granted him extension of his stay in his native country. On September 28, 2016, the apex court had allowed Latorre to remain in his country till the international arbitral tribunal decided the jurisdictional issue. On May 26, 2016, Girone was also granted bail with certain conditions and allowed by the top court to go to his country till the jurisdictional issue was decided. The complaint against the marines was lodged by Freddy, the owner of fishing boat ''St Antony'' in which two Kerala fishermen were killed when marines opened fire on them allegedly under the misconception that they were pirates.

SC closes criminal case in India against Italian marines for killing 2 Indian fishermen in 2012

Indonesia has released an Iranian tanker and a Panamanian vessel that were both seized at the beginning of the year on suspicion of illegal oil transfers, officials said on Saturday.

Following legal proceedings, the crude oil tankers — Iranian-flagged MT Horse and Panama-flagged MT Freya — left Indonesia on Friday, the country's Maritime Security Agency spokesperson told AFP.&nbsp;

The captains of both tankers were found guilty on Tuesday of entering Indonesian territory without a permit.

MT Horse's Iranian captain Mehdi Monghasemjahromi and MT Freya's Chinese captain Chen Yo Qun were each handed a suspended prison sentence of one year with a two-year probational period.

The court also ordered Chen to pay a two billion rupiah ($140,000) fine for dumping oil illegally in Indonesian waters.

Both captains were released from detention and were believed to have left Indonesia with the rest of the crew Friday despite their sentences.

In January, the tankers were spotted off Kalimantan, Indonesia's section of Borneo island, and were later seized after the crew failed to respond to radio calls.

Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency or Bakamla claimed the crew were suspected of a string of violations, including failing to display the vessels' national flags, turning off their identification systems to avoid detection and illegally transferring oil.

The MT Horse "has been released (Friday) after 125 days once the legal process was successfully concluded", the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported, citing a National Iranian Oil Co. statement.

"Despite enduring challenges and isolation from their families, the crew made sacrifices to defend national interests and maintain the stream of oil and oil products exports from the country," the statement added.&nbsp;

Iran has previously been accused of trying to conceal its oil sales to avoid crippling US sanctions.

In October, the administration of former US president Donald Trump slapped sanctions on Iran's oil sector over sales to countries including Syria and Venezuela.

The move was part of a broader bid to end all of Iran's key oil exports, seeking to choke off cash sources for the regional nemesis of US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Indonesia has released an Iranian tanker and a Panamanian vessel that were both seized at the beginning of the year on suspicion of illegal oil transfers, officials said on Saturday.

Indonesia has released an Iranian tanker and a Panamanian vessel that were both seized at the beginning of the year on suspicion of illegal oil transfers, officials said on Saturday. Following legal proceedings, the crude oil tankers — Iranian-flagged MT Horse and Panama-flagged MT Freya — left Indonesia on Friday, the country's Maritime Security Agency spokesperson told AFP. The captains of both tankers were found guilty on Tuesday of entering Indonesian territory without a permit. MT Horse's Iranian captain Mehdi Monghasemjahromi and MT Freya's Chinese captain Chen Yo Qun were each handed a suspended prison sentence of one year with a two-year probational period. The court also ordered Chen to pay a two billion rupiah ($140,000) fine for dumping oil illegally in Indonesian waters. Both captains were released from detention and were believed to have left Indonesia with the rest of the crew Friday despite their sentences. In January, the tankers were spotted off Kalimantan, Indonesia's section of Borneo island, and were later seized after the crew failed to respond to radio calls. Indonesia's Maritime Security Agency or Bakamla claimed the crew were suspected of a string of violations, including failing to display the vessels' national flags, turning off their identification systems to avoid detection and illegally transferring oil. The MT Horse "has been released (Friday) after 125 days once the legal process was successfully concluded", the official Iranian news agency IRNA reported, citing a National Iranian Oil Co. statement. "Despite enduring challenges and isolation from their families, the crew made sacrifices to defend national interests and maintain the stream of oil and oil products exports from the country," the statement added. Iran has previously been accused of trying to conceal its oil sales to avoid crippling US sanctions. In October, the administration of former US president Donald Trump slapped sanctions on Iran's oil sector over sales to countries including Syria and Venezuela. The move was part of a broader bid to end all of Iran's key oil exports, seeking to choke off cash sources for the regional nemesis of US allies Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Indonesia releases Iranian and Panamanian tankers after four months

Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented pollution crisis as waves of plastic waste from a burning container ship hit the coast and threaten to devastate the local environment, a top environment official warned Saturday.

Thousands of navy ratings using mechanical diggers scooped tonnes of tiny plastic granules on the beaches that had come from the Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl that has been smouldering on the horizon for ten days.

Sri Lanka's Marine Protection Authority (MEPA) said the microplastic pollution could cause years of ecological damage to the Indian Ocean island.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/colombo-ship-fire-hull-intact-fire-considerably-reduced-and-no-oil-spill-says-icg-388102" hreflang="en">Colombo ship fire: Hull intact, Fire considerably reduced and no oil spill says ICG</a>

"This is probably the worst beach pollution in our history," MEPA chairman Dharshani Lahandapura said.

The tiny polyethylene pellets threaten tourism beaches and fish-breeding in shallow waters.

Fishing has been banned along an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of coast near the ship that has been burning for 10 days despite an international firefighting operation.

"There is smoke and intermittent flames seen from the ship," navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/colombo-ship-fire-appears-under-control-no-oil-spill-says-indian-coast-guard-387919" hreflang="en">Colombo ship fire appears under control, no oil spill, says Indian Coast Guard</a>

Orange-coloured plastic booms were set up in case oil leaks from the crippled ship reaches the Negombo lagoon that is famed for its crabs and jumbo prawns.

Thousands of small boats were beached at Negombo Saturday because of the fishing ban.

'No end in sight'

Naval rating Manjula Dulanjala said his team had almost cleared the beach on Friday evening, but were shocked to find it covered again the following morning.

"This is like the coronavirus. No end in sight. We removed all the plastic yesterday, only to see more of it dumped by the waves overnight," he said.

The pellets and waste were packed into green and white polythene sacks and taken away by trucks.

An officer leading another team said that in certain parts of the beach the microplastics and charred debris was 60 centimetres (two feet) deep.

Local fisherman Peter Fernando, 68, said he had never seen such destruction.

The December 2004 Asian tsunami devastated much of the island's coastline and killed an estimated 31,000 people, but only damaged coastal infrastructure.

Roman Catholic priest Sujeewa Athukorale said most of his parishioners were fishermen who risked becoming destitute.

"Their immediate need is to be allowed to go back to the sea," he said.

"There are 4,500 fishing families in my parish alone."

Mangroves threatened

Fisherman Lakshan Fernando, 30, said people feared the plastic waste could destroy mangroves as well as the corals where fish breed in the shallow water.

"No one is able to say how long we will have the adverse effects of this pollution," Fernando told AFP.&nbsp;

"It could take a few years or a few decades, but in the meantime what about our livelihoods?"

An oil leak from the vessel, said to be carrying 278 tonnes of bunker oil and 50 tonnes of gasoil, would increase the risk of devastation.

Much of the ship's cargo, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, lubricants and other chemicals, appeared to have been destroyed in the fire, officials said.

The X-Press Pearl caught fire as it waited to enter Colombo harbour and remains anchored just outside the port.

An international salvage operation is led by the Dutch company SMIT, which has sent specialist fire-fighting tugs. India has sent coastguard vessels to help Sri Lanka's navy.

SMIT was also involved in dousing a burning oil tanker off Sri Lanka's east coast last September after an engine room explosion killed a crew member.

The fire on the New Diamond took more than a week to put out and left a 40-kilometre (25-mile) long oil spill. Sri Lanka has demanded the owners pay $17 million for the clean-up.

Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented pollution crisis as waves of plastic waste from a burning container ship hit the coast and threaten to devastate the local environment, a top environment official warned Saturday.

Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented pollution crisis as waves of plastic waste from a burning container ship hit the coast and threaten to devastate the local environment, a top environment official warned Saturday. Thousands of navy ratings using mechanical diggers scooped tonnes of tiny plastic granules on the beaches that had come from the Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl that has been smouldering on the horizon for ten days. Sri Lanka's Marine Protection Authority (MEPA) said the microplastic pollution could cause years of ecological damage to the Indian Ocean island. Also read | Colombo ship fire: Hull intact, Fire considerably reduced and no oil spill says ICG "This is probably the worst beach pollution in our history," MEPA chairman Dharshani Lahandapura said. The tiny polyethylene pellets threaten tourism beaches and fish-breeding in shallow waters. Fishing has been banned along an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of coast near the ship that has been burning for 10 days despite an international firefighting operation. "There is smoke and intermittent flames seen from the ship," navy spokesman Captain Indika de Silva told AFP. Also read | Colombo ship fire appears under control, no oil spill, says Indian Coast Guard Orange-coloured plastic booms were set up in case oil leaks from the crippled ship reaches the Negombo lagoon that is famed for its crabs and jumbo prawns. Thousands of small boats were beached at Negombo Saturday because of the fishing ban. 'No end in sight' Naval rating Manjula Dulanjala said his team had almost cleared the beach on Friday evening, but were shocked to find it covered again the following morning. "This is like the coronavirus. No end in sight. We removed all the plastic yesterday, only to see more of it dumped by the waves overnight," he said. The pellets and waste were packed into green and white polythene sacks and taken away by trucks. An officer leading another team said that in certain parts of the beach the microplastics and charred debris was 60 centimetres (two feet) deep. Local fisherman Peter Fernando, 68, said he had never seen such destruction. The December 2004 Asian tsunami devastated much of the island's coastline and killed an estimated 31,000 people, but only damaged coastal infrastructure. Roman Catholic priest Sujeewa Athukorale said most of his parishioners were fishermen who risked becoming destitute. "Their immediate need is to be allowed to go back to the sea," he said. "There are 4,500 fishing families in my parish alone." Mangroves threatened Fisherman Lakshan Fernando, 30, said people feared the plastic waste could destroy mangroves as well as the corals where fish breed in the shallow water. "No one is able to say how long we will have the adverse effects of this pollution," Fernando told AFP. "It could take a few years or a few decades, but in the meantime what about our livelihoods?" An oil leak from the vessel, said to be carrying 278 tonnes of bunker oil and 50 tonnes of gasoil, would increase the risk of devastation. Much of the ship's cargo, including 25 tonnes of nitric acid, sodium hydroxide, lubricants and other chemicals, appeared to have been destroyed in the fire, officials said. The X-Press Pearl caught fire as it waited to enter Colombo harbour and remains anchored just outside the port. An international salvage operation is led by the Dutch company SMIT, which has sent specialist fire-fighting tugs. India has sent coastguard vessels to help Sri Lanka's navy. SMIT was also involved in dousing a burning oil tanker off Sri Lanka's east coast last September after an engine room explosion killed a crew member. The fire on the New Diamond took more than a week to put out and left a 40-kilometre (25-mile) long oil spill. Sri Lanka has demanded the owners pay $17 million for the clean-up.

Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as waves of plastic from burning ship wash ashore

Used and abused, oceans key to fighting climate change

At least four people have died and dozens more are missing after an Indonesian fishing boat sunk off the coast of Borneo island, according to media reports citing a local official.

Rescuers have deployed several boats and an aeroplane to search the waters for 31 still missing crew after the sinking, local media said, which reportedly happened on Wednesday.

The vessel lost radio contact and officials only became aware of the accident Friday after another boat found four bodies and two survivors near Matasiri island in the Java Sea, local port master Mugen Suprihatin Sartoto said.

"We think that the boat's distress radio beacon was broken," Sartoto told Metro TV.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by high waves and bad weather, he said, adding that that the search would continue for a week.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fourteen-sailors-killed-in-russia-submersible-fire-ministry-232527">Marine accidents</a> are common in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quake-with-73-magnitude-strikes-in-eastern-indonesia-usgs-235741">Indonesia</a>, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands, where many use <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-ferry-sinking-leaves-at-least-15-dead-228184">ferries</a> and other boats to travel despite poor safety standards.

Some 160 people died when an Indonesian ferry sunk into the depths of one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra island last year.

More than 300 people are estimated to have drowned in 2009 when a ferry sank between Sulawesi and Borneo.

At least four people have died and dozens more are missing after an Indonesian fishing boat sunk off the coast of Borneo island, according to media reports citing a local official.

At least four people have died and dozens more are missing after an Indonesian fishing boat sunk off the coast of Borneo island, according to media reports citing a local official. Rescuers have deployed several boats and an aeroplane to search the waters for 31 still missing crew after the sinking, local media said, which reportedly happened on Wednesday. The vessel lost radio contact and officials only became aware of the accident Friday after another boat found four bodies and two survivors near Matasiri island in the Java Sea, local port master Mugen Suprihatin Sartoto said. "We think that the boat's distress radio beacon was broken," Sartoto told Metro TV. Rescue efforts have been hampered by high waves and bad weather, he said, adding that that the search would continue for a week. Marine accidents are common in Indonesia, an archipelago nation of more than 17,000 islands, where many use ferries and other boats to travel despite poor safety standards. Some 160 people died when an Indonesian ferry sunk into the depths of one of the world's deepest lakes on Sumatra island last year. More than 300 people are estimated to have drowned in 2009 when a ferry sank between Sulawesi and Borneo.

Four dead, dozens missing in Indonesian boat sinking: Report

Four-legged whale from India, Pak also found in southern Peru

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health.

Marine researcher Vanessa Pirotta of Sydney's Macquarie University, says a drone has been used for the first time to collect whale mucus from humpback whales at sea in a technique that could help monitor the health of whales around the world.

"We're collecting...that visible plume of spray rising from the whale's blowhole, as they come to the surface to breathe," she told Reuters Television.

"This approach may ultimately enable a better understanding of the patterns and drivers of disease emergence in wild populations," Pirotta and eight co-authors say in a paper published in an online open-access journal, Viruses.

The scientists collected whale blow samples from 19 humpback whales during the 2017 annual northward migration from Antarctica to northern Australia, they added.

The spray is collected in a petri dish attached to the top of a quadcopter drone, with a flip-lid opened by the craft's pilot as the drone flies above the whale.

The method is less invasive than using a boat to get close and collecting samples on a pole, Pirotta said and represents an advance over past techniques that depended on samples from stranded whales or those killed for the purpose.

The whale spray collected by a drone contains DNA, proteins, lipids and types of bacteria.

"We can collect bacteria, in my case, to look at the types of bacteria living in whale lungs for an assessment of whale health," Pirotta said.

In this way, drones serve as an early-warning detection system to monitor potential changes in whales' health.

"We can adapt this method to other whale populations around the world not doing so well, like the North Atlantic right whale," Pirotta added.

An international ban on whaling took effect in 1986, but Japan, which says eating whale is part of its culture, last year said it would resume commercial whaling from July in its waters and exclusive economic zone.

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health.

The old cry of sailors sighting a whale's waterspout is taking on new meaning as scientists turn to drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, to gather samples of the fluids exhaled by the huge mammals and track their health. Marine researcher Vanessa Pirotta of Sydney's Macquarie University, says a drone has been used for the first time to collect whale mucus from humpback whales at sea in a technique that could help monitor the health of whales around the world. "We're collecting...that visible plume of spray rising from the whale's blowhole, as they come to the surface to breathe," she told Reuters Television. "This approach may ultimately enable a better understanding of the patterns and drivers of disease emergence in wild populations," Pirotta and eight co-authors say in a paper published in an online open-access journal, Viruses. The scientists collected whale blow samples from 19 humpback whales during the 2017 annual northward migration from Antarctica to northern Australia, they added. The spray is collected in a petri dish attached to the top of a quadcopter drone, with a flip-lid opened by the craft's pilot as the drone flies above the whale. The method is less invasive than using a boat to get close and collecting samples on a pole, Pirotta said and represents an advance over past techniques that depended on samples from stranded whales or those killed for the purpose. The whale spray collected by a drone contains DNA, proteins, lipids and types of bacteria. "We can collect bacteria, in my case, to look at the types of bacteria living in whale lungs for an assessment of whale health," Pirotta said. In this way, drones serve as an early-warning detection system to monitor potential changes in whales' health. "We can adapt this method to other whale populations around the world not doing so well, like the North Atlantic right whale," Pirotta added. An international ban on whaling took effect in 1986, but Japan, which says eating whale is part of its culture, last year said it would resume commercial whaling from July in its waters and exclusive economic zone.

'Thar she blows!' Scientists use drones to monitor whale health

A decorated former US Marine sergeant opened fire on police in Baton Rouge on Sunday, killing three officers, nearly two weeks after the fatal police shooting of an African American there sparked nationwide protests, including one shattered by the massacre of five Dallas policemen. 
 
The suspect, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was himself shot to death minutes later in a gunfight with police who converged on the scene of a confrontation that Mayor Kip Holden said began as an &quot;ambush-style&quot; attack on officers. 
 
Two Baton Rouge Police Department officers and one sheriff&#39;s deputy were killed, and one sheriff&#39;s deputy was critically wounded. Another police officer and one other deputy suffered less severe wounds and were expected to survive. 
 
Colonel Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, told a news conference the gunman was believed to have acted alone, contrary to early reports that police may have been looking for other shooters. 
 
It was not immediately clear whether there was a link between Sunday&#39;s bloodshed and unrest over the police killings of two African-Americans under questionable circumstances earlier this month -- Alton Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge on July 5, and Philando Castile, 32, near St Paul, Minnesota, on July 6. 
 
Police did not name the suspect. But a US government official told Reuters the gunman had been identified as Gavin Long, of Kansas City, Missouri, and was an African American. He was reported by other media to be 29 years old. 
 
According to Long&#39;s military record, released by the Pentagon, he served in the Marines from August 2005 until August 2010, achieving the rank of sergeant. Listed as a data network specialist for the Marines, he was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 until January 2009, earning several medals and commendations. 
 
Authorities declined to offer a possible motive for Sunday&#39;s attack in Louisiana&#39;s capital. 
 
Pandemonium caught on radio 
 
A second government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said investigators had reason to believe an emergency 911 call may have been used to lure police into harm&#39;s way. 
 
Edmonson said several officers came under fire as police were responding to a report of a man dressed in black standing behind a store holding a rifle shortly before 9 am. 
 
In the ensuing pandemonium caught on a recording of emergency radio traffic, police are repeatedly heard reporting: &quot;Officer down&quot; and &quot;deputy down&quot; as officers swarmed the area searching for and ultimately confronting the gunman. 
 
The episode was over in about eight minutes, according to Edmonson&#39;s account. 
 
President Barack Obama condemned the attack, vowed that justice would be done and called on Americans to focus on rhetoric and actions that united the country rather than divided it. 
 
&quot;We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence on law enforcement,&quot; Obama said in televised remarks from the White House. 
 
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards called the shootings an &quot;unspeakable, heinous attack&quot; that served no purpose. 
 
&quot;There simply is no place for more violence. That doesn&#39;t help anyone, it doesn&#39;t further the conversation, it doesn&#39;t address any injustice, perceived or real. It is just an injustice in and of itself,&quot; he told reporters in Baton Rouge. 
 
Obama has sought to balance concerns about police abuses, largely against African Americans, while paying tribute to fallen officers. 
 
He attended a memorial service last week for the five Dallas police officers killed by a black former US soldier who opened fire at the end of an otherwise peaceful protest on July 7 denouncing the Sterling and Castile slayings. 
 
Those two killings and the reprisal attack on Dallas police by a suspect found to have embraced militant black nationalism renewed national tensions over racial justice and gun violence just as America&#39;s presidential campaign was kicking into high gear. The Dallas gunman, Micah Johnson, 25, was killed by police deploying a bomb-carrying robot against him. 
 
The wave of violence has also heightened security concerns across the country, notably in Cleveland and Philadelphia, hosts to this week&#39;s Republican National Convention and next week&#39;s Democratic National Convention, respectively, which are expected to formally nominate Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for the November 8 election. 
 
Worries around convention 
 
&quot;We demand law and order,&quot; Trump said in a Facebook posting on Sunday afternoon. 
 
In a statement, Clinton urged Americans to &quot;stand together to reject violence and strengthen our communities.&quot; 
 
The head of a Cleveland police union called on Ohio Governor John Kasich to declare a state of emergency and suspend laws allowing for the open carry of firearms during the Republican convention. 
 
&quot;I don&#39;t care what the legal precedent is. I feel strongly that leadership needs to stand up and defend these police officers,&quot; Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen&#39;s Association, told Reuters in an interview. 
 
Loomis said he was concerned about copycat shootings at the Republican convention. 
 
A spokeswoman for Kasich said the governor did not have the power to suspend the open-carry law. 
 
Sunday&#39;s shootings occurred about a mile from the Baton Rouge Police Department headquarters, where dozens of people were arrested this month while protesting Sterling&#39;s death. The father of five was shot and killed at close quarters by law enforcement officers. 
 
A witness to the Baton Rouge shootings, Brady Vancel, told CNN he saw a man dressed in black clothing and a ski-type mask running through a parking lot amid a hail of gunfire. 
 
Vancel said the gunman &quot;looked up and saw me. We stopped. I froze, he froze for a second, and he turned around and ran in the opposite direction the same time I turned around and ran in the opposite direction.&quot; 
 
Shocked community members lined the highway about a mile from the shootings, at the site of the protests against Sterling&#39;s killing. &nbsp; 
 
&quot;It never hits home until it&#39;s in your own living room,&quot; said Redell Norman, an activist who attended the recent protests at police headquarters. 
 
(Reuters)

Shooter identified as 29-year-old Gavin Long of Kansas City. He served in Iraq from June 2008 to January 2009. He was African-American

A decorated former US Marine sergeant opened fire on police in Baton Rouge on Sunday, killing three officers, nearly two weeks after the fatal police shooting of an African American there sparked nationwide protests, including one shattered by the massacre of five Dallas policemen. The suspect, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was himself shot to death minutes later in a gunfight with police who converged on the scene of a confrontation that Mayor Kip Holden said began as an "ambush-style" attack on officers. Two Baton Rouge Police Department officers and one sheriff's deputy were killed, and one sheriff's deputy was critically wounded. Another police officer and one other deputy suffered less severe wounds and were expected to survive. Colonel Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, told a news conference the gunman was believed to have acted alone, contrary to early reports that police may have been looking for other shooters. It was not immediately clear whether there was a link between Sunday's bloodshed and unrest over the police killings of two African-Americans under questionable circumstances earlier this month -- Alton Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge on July 5, and Philando Castile, 32, near St Paul, Minnesota, on July 6. Police did not name the suspect. But a US government official told Reuters the gunman had been identified as Gavin Long, of Kansas City, Missouri, and was an African American. He was reported by other media to be 29 years old. According to Long's military record, released by the Pentagon, he served in the Marines from August 2005 until August 2010, achieving the rank of sergeant. Listed as a data network specialist for the Marines, he was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 until January 2009, earning several medals and commendations. Authorities declined to offer a possible motive for Sunday's attack in Louisiana's capital. Pandemonium caught on radio A second government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said investigators had reason to believe an emergency 911 call may have been used to lure police into harm's way. Edmonson said several officers came under fire as police were responding to a report of a man dressed in black standing behind a store holding a rifle shortly before 9 am. In the ensuing pandemonium caught on a recording of emergency radio traffic, police are repeatedly heard reporting: "Officer down" and "deputy down" as officers swarmed the area searching for and ultimately confronting the gunman. The episode was over in about eight minutes, according to Edmonson's account. President Barack Obama condemned the attack, vowed that justice would be done and called on Americans to focus on rhetoric and actions that united the country rather than divided it. "We as a nation have to be loud and clear that nothing justifies violence on law enforcement," Obama said in televised remarks from the White House. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards called the shootings an "unspeakable, heinous attack" that served no purpose. "There simply is no place for more violence. That doesn't help anyone, it doesn't further the conversation, it doesn't address any injustice, perceived or real. It is just an injustice in and of itself," he told reporters in Baton Rouge. Obama has sought to balance concerns about police abuses, largely against African Americans, while paying tribute to fallen officers. He attended a memorial service last week for the five Dallas police officers killed by a black former US soldier who opened fire at the end of an otherwise peaceful protest on July 7 denouncing the Sterling and Castile slayings. Those two killings and the reprisal attack on Dallas police by a suspect found to have embraced militant black nationalism renewed national tensions over racial justice and gun violence just as America's presidential campaign was kicking into high gear. The Dallas gunman, Micah Johnson, 25, was killed by police deploying a bomb-carrying robot against him. The wave of violence has also heightened security concerns across the country, notably in Cleveland and Philadelphia, hosts to this week's Republican National Convention and next week's Democratic National Convention, respectively, which are expected to formally nominate Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton for the November 8 election. Worries around convention "We demand law and order," Trump said in a Facebook posting on Sunday afternoon. In a statement, Clinton urged Americans to "stand together to reject violence and strengthen our communities." The head of a Cleveland police union called on Ohio Governor John Kasich to declare a state of emergency and suspend laws allowing for the open carry of firearms during the Republican convention. "I don't care what the legal precedent is. I feel strongly that leadership needs to stand up and defend these police officers," Steve Loomis, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen's Association, told Reuters in an interview. Loomis said he was concerned about copycat shootings at the Republican convention. A spokeswoman for Kasich said the governor did not have the power to suspend the open-carry law. Sunday's shootings occurred about a mile from the Baton Rouge Police Department headquarters, where dozens of people were arrested this month while protesting Sterling's death. The father of five was shot and killed at close quarters by law enforcement officers. A witness to the Baton Rouge shootings, Brady Vancel, told CNN he saw a man dressed in black clothing and a ski-type mask running through a parking lot amid a hail of gunfire. Vancel said the gunman "looked up and saw me. We stopped. I froze, he froze for a second, and he turned around and ran in the opposite direction the same time I turned around and ran in the opposite direction." Shocked community members lined the highway about a mile from the shootings, at the site of the protests against Sterling's killing. "It never hits home until it's in your own living room," said Redell Norman, an activist who attended the recent protests at police headquarters. (Reuters)

Louisiana police shootings: Decorated former US Marine sergeant identified as gunman who killed 3 police officers

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