Subdued a bologna

MOLALLA, Oregon: Crews who struggled just days ago against deadly wildfires raging unchecked across California, Oregon and Washington have now taken the offensive, making substantial progress in subduing the blazes, officials in all three states said on Thursday (Sep 17). Cooler, more favorable weather in the region since last week has enabled ground teams with hand tools and bulldozers to regroup and consolidate their gains while also allowing greater use of water-dropping helicopters and airplane tankers. The region still faces a formidable recovery from the fires, which have burned some 1.3 million hectares in California since mid-August and another 650,000 hectares in Oregon and Washington state since Labour Day. READ: Thousands of firefighters battle US West Coast blazes amid 'overwhelming' ruin The fires, which scientists and officials describe as unprecedented in scope and ferocity, roared to life amid catastrophic lightning storms, a record-breaking heat wave … [Read more...] about Firefighters make headway in subduing US western wildfires

MILAN: AC Milan's veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice and missed an open goal as he secured a 2-0 win over Bologna to get their Serie A campaign off to a winning start on Monday. The 38-year-old broke the deadlock with a towering header in the 35th minute and added the second with a penalty - the first in Serie A this season - five minutes after the break. Milan extended their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions as they started where they left off last season, suggesting they are capable of battling for a Champions League spot. "If I was 20-years-old, I’d have scored another two," said Ibrahimovic, who has 14 goals in 22 matches since returning for a second stint at Milan in January. "I don’t want people to talk about my age, I want to be treated the same as everyone else. It doesn’t matter if I am 38, I want to be treated like someone aged 20 and do the same work." Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic added that Ibrahimovic was the difference between the … [Read more...] about Football: Irrepressible Ibrahimovic scores twice as Milan win opener

MELBOURNE: Oil futures fell on Thursday on concerns the economic recovery in the United States, the world's biggest oil consumer, is slowing as the coronavirus outbreak lingers and a resurgence in European cases led to new travel restrictions there. Those fears prompted a rally in the dollar as investors turned to safer assets, adding pressure to oil prices. A stronger dollar makes oil, priced in U.S. dollars, less attractive to global buyers. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 36 cents, or 0.9per cent, to US$39.57 a barrel at 0217 GMT, while Brent crude futures fell 28 cents, or 0.7per cent, to US$41.49 a barrel. Both benchmarks climbed slightly on Wednesday after government data showed U.S. crude and fuel stockpiles dropped last week. Gasoline inventories fell more than expected, sliding by 4 million barrels, and distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and jet fuel, posted a surprise drawdown of 3.4 million barrels. Still, fuel demand in the U.S. … [Read more...] about Oil falls on fuel demand growth concerns as coronavirus lingers

REUTERS: Simona Halep is heavily favoured to add a second French Open title to her Grand Slam cabinet, brimming with confidence on the back of a 14-match winning streak and fighting fit having skipped the U.S. hardcourt season due to COVID-19. The Romanian world number two won in Dubai before the professional season was suspended in early March, and added claycourt titles in Prague and Rome ahead of the Paris Grand Slam, which starts on Sunday having been rescheduled from May. Due to concerns over travelling during the pandemic, she skipped the U.S. Open, opting to stay in Europe and prepare for Roland Garros, where she won her first Slam in 2018. The former top-ranked player feels the decision leaves her better placed, both physically and mentally, to challenge for her third Slam title overall. "It is different (this year). It is true that I am fresher," Halep told reporters after her Rome win. "Of course I did work hard at home but I didn't have many matches, so my body … [Read more...] about Clay queen Halep firm favourite for French Open after winning streak

SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief Tim Cook said on Monday (Sep 21) he views the recent increase in fires, hurricanes and floods as strong proof that climate change is real. The disasters should sway those denying science that shows greenhouse gases are dangerously changing weather patterns, Cook said in a talk streamed during an online event by the Atlantic magazine. Cook reasoned that wildfires raging on the US West Coast, hurricanes slamming the South, and flooding in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions make a compelling case for climate change. "All of these together, I do believe will convince the people that are not currently convinced about climate change," Cook said. READ: California firefighters race to subdue flames before heat and winds return His remote interview with Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was recorded last week, when smoke from wildfires turned day to night in California and ash fell like snow in some places. "It's horrendous," Cook … [Read more...] about Apple chief says fires and storms show impact of climate change