Increased activity on New Zealand volcano stymies recovery

WHAKATANE, New Zealand (AP) — Experts said geothermal activity on a New Zealand volcanic island increased significantly on Wednesday, dealing a blow to relatives waiting for crews to recover the bodies that remain there following a deadly eruption two days earlier. Volcanic tremors rose in the morning,...

Colorado authorities identify skier killed in avalanche

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Authorities have identified a woman who died when she was caught in a powerful avalanche while back country skiing in northern Colorado. Michelle Lindsay, 29, of Fort Collins was buried under snow at Diamond Peak Sunday, The Coloradoan reports. Other members of Lindsay's ski...

11 Australians missing, 13 injured in New Zealand eruption

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — Australia’s prime minister said Tuesday that 11 Australians remained unaccounted for and 13 had been hospitalized after a volcano eruption in New Zealand. Three Australians were suspected to be among the initial five confirmed dead, Prime Minister Scott Morrison told...

Landslide in Brazil capital spills 4 cars into building site

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — A landslide at a construction site in Brazil's capital Tuesday tumbled four cars parked on an adjoining road into the excavation for a planned building. The accident occurred just a few miles from Brasilia's esplanade of government buildings. A broken water pipe at the job site...

Warren's new ocean plan includes Western drought, wildfires

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Democratic presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren has updated her strategy to combat climate change with a focus on protecting ocean habitat as well as Western drought and wildfires. The Massachusetts senator is on a two-day campaign swing in Nevada with an appearance scheduled Tuesday...

Cyclone hits Madagascar, killing 2 and making 1,400 homeless

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP) — Cyclone Belna has hit northwestern Madagascar, with 2 dead and three missing from the first tropical storm of the season, according to local officials. Belna blew into the coastal town of Soalala, where more than 1,400 residents were made homeless because their houses were...

Stories of injured, missing in New Zealand volcano eruption

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Officials say 47 people from New Zealand, United States, Australia, Germany, Britain, China and Malaysia were on a New Zealand volcanic island when it suddenly erupted. Of those, dozens were killed, injured or are missing. Details are scarce because conditions on the island...

Police say an injured person has died in a New Zealand hospital, bringing the death toll from volcanic eruption to 6

WHAKATANE, New Zealand (AP) — Police say an injured person has died in a New Zealand hospital, bringing the death toll from volcanic eruption to 6.

Sydney choked by hazardous haze from Australia bush fires

SYDNEY (AP) — Wildfires engulfed the Australian city of Sydney on Tuesday in haze so thick in some places it was 11 times worse than the level considered “hazardous," and was apt to trigger fire alarms. The city canceled ferries and some offices in the downtown area were evacuated. Local health...

PG&E's $13.5B deal with fire victims removes huge obstacles

Associated Press (AP) — Pacific Gas and Electric will be able to avoid two legal obstacles that could have tripped up its efforts to bounce back from bankruptcy if California Gov. Gavin Newsom and a federal judge approve a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of catastrophic fires blamed on the utility's...