Environment

Four elephants, including two calves, were killed by lightning in northern Sri Lanka earlier this month Officials called it one of the worst wildlife tragedies to hit the country in years. The Economic Times reports: A female elephant, aged about 25 years, and two of her calves, aged 10 months and two years, and an eight-year-old female were found dead Sunday just outside the Wilpattu wildlife sanctuary, an official said. “Villagers from neighbouring areas alerted the authorities and we carried out autopsies,” ..

More than 400 demonstrations took place around the world with people voicing their anger at US biotech Monsanto. The company is facing a possible takeover from big pharma company Bayer. The German pharmaceutical and chemical corporation, is reportedly considering a bid for the agrochemical and biotechnology corporation, Monsanto. RT reports: “The whole world hates Monsanto!” read the banners among a throng in Paris, marching to the sound of a drum band.

The Portland Public Schools board have unanimously approved a resolution aimed at eliminating any doubt about climate change and its causes in schools. The school board is planning to ban all textbooks and other materials that denies the existence of man-made climate change Is it right to completely stop students from learning about scientific evidence that contradicts the orthodox climate change narrative?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  say that health officials are monitoring nearly 300 pregnant women infected with the Zika virus across the U.S. and its territories. RT reports: Health officials are keeping tabs on 157 pregnant women who have been infected within the 50 US states, the CDC said on Friday. That is more than three times higher than the CDC previously reported on May 11, when it said that 48 pregnant women in the US had the virus.

The sale of genetically modified salmon has been approved by Canadian health authorities, making it the first genetically altered animal to be allowed for consumption in the country. As Health Canada does not believe there are any health and safety risks, there will be no special labeling requirements for the new product. However, Canadian activist groups are concerned about the decision and are calling for mandatory labeling of all genetically modified foods produced in the country.