http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorMon, 06 Oct 2008 14:02:11 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/39199/ike-spilled-500k-gallons-of-gulf-oil.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHurricane Ike knocked at least a half million gallons of crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico and nearby waterways, according to an AP analysis of environmental reports. Worst hit were oil platforms near the coast of Louisiana, but about half of the spill occurred at a facility on Goat Island, Texas. More than 50 platforms were destroyed in all and 32 others took damage.http://www.newser.com/story/39199/ike-spilled-500k-gallons-of-gulf-oil.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 05 Oct 2008 16:48:43 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38800/ike-returnees-battle-chronic-mold-outbreak.html?refid=rss_all_defaultInitial relief that their Texas property survived Hurricane Ike quickly dissipated for many returning to Galveston Island who discovered colorful mold breeding wildly on virtually everything left standing. Damp, hot buildings were left sealed for two weeks when residents evacuated, giving the fungus plenty of time to nestle into the foundations and create a health nightmare, the Houston Chronicle reports.http://www.newser.com/story/38800/ike-returnees-battle-chronic-mold-outbreak.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 30 Sep 2008 13:56:40 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38606/kyle-drenches-maine-guns-for-canada.html?refid=rss_all_defaultHurricane Kyle soaked Maine this weekend and continued churning toward Canada, the AP reports. Maine's coastal areas, which have already absorbed 5.5 inches of rain, expect to get winds as high as 60mph and waves up to 20 feet. The state enacted its first hurricane warning in 17 years, but planned no evacuation—although many lobstermen were surprised by the storm and scampered for shelter in coves.http://www.newser.com/story/38606/kyle-drenches-maine-guns-for-canada.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSun, 28 Sep 2008 12:53:38 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38448/how-to-detect-earthquakes-from-your-desk.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSeismologists have found a way to harness the power of a built-in feature of many laptops and create a new wide-ranging earthquake-detection system, the Economist reports. The "Quake-Catcher Network" capitalizes on laptops' accelerometers, little devices that detect when the computer is falling or shaken, to provide widespread—and highly sensitive—recordings of the earth's vibrations.http://www.newser.com/story/38448/how-to-detect-earthquakes-from-your-desk.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 26 Sep 2008 9:22:18 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38486/storms-threaten-east-coast-pounding.html?refid=rss_all_defaultA storm system threatened East Coast cities with heavy winds and rain, and Tropical Storm Kyle moved toward hurricane strength further out in the Atlantic, Bloomberg reports. Flights were delayed along the coast, with planes in New York City waiting 90 minutes or more on runways. Meanwhile, Kyle, 645 miles south-southwest of Bermuda, was expected off the coast of New England this weekend.http://www.newser.com/story/38486/storms-threaten-east-coast-pounding.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 26 Sep 2008 8:10:51 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38383/media-focus-elsewhere-hurts-gulf-coast-relief-efforts.html?refid=rss_all_defaultRelief organizations are struggling to raise funds for their work in hurricane-battered areas of Texas and Louisiana, a marked difference from 2005, when millions flowed in to help Katrina victims. “The camera and the lights didn't stay on” this time, a Red Cross worker tells MSNBC, distracted by fresher stories about the financial crisis and political campaigns.http://www.newser.com/story/38383/media-focus-elsewhere-hurts-gulf-coast-relief-efforts.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 25 Sep 2008 8:42:58 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38237/hurricanes-prompt-calls-to-soften-restrictions-on-cuba.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe devastation Hurricanes Gustav and Ike wrought on Cuba has prompted the US to offer direct aid for the first time in the 47-year history of its embargo on the island, but even ardent anti-Castro Cuban Americans are pushing for more, the Washington Post reports. While not all favor lifting the embargo, there is a broad consensus that limits on travel and remittances from the US are oppressive, particularly in this time of crisis.http://www.newser.com/story/38237/hurricanes-prompt-calls-to-soften-restrictions-on-cuba.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 24 Sep 2008 8:46:57 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/38200/officials-texas-needs-40b-from-feds-for-ike-cleanup.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTexas officials told Congress today they might need up to $40 billion in aid to rebuild the state's hurricane-hit areas, the Houston Chronicle reports. The state's lieutenant governor sought at least $11.5 billion of aid and as many trailer homes as available to help the 770 communities damaged by Hurricane Ike. Houston's mayor requested an immediate $2.5 billion injection to help his metropolis.http://www.newser.com/story/38200/officials-texas-needs-40b-from-feds-for-ike-cleanup.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 23 Sep 2008 13:48:35 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/37803/irs-loosens-deadlines-for-taxpayers-pummeled-by-ike.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTaxpayers in Texas counties and Louisiana parishes hit by Hurricane Ike will get until Jan. 5 to take care of tax filings and payments due this fall, the Internal Revenue Service said today. The IRS said the deadline extensions apply to 29 Texas counties and 14 Louisiana parishes declared presidential disaster areas.http://www.newser.com/story/37803/irs-loosens-deadlines-for-taxpayers-pummeled-by-ike.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 18 Sep 2008 13:58:46 CDT