International

"The experimental plane called Solar Impulse 2 has taken off in Hawaii after a nine-month delay for repairs."

"About 170 countries are expected to sign today in a move the UN hopes will ensure early ratification of the deal".

"Volkswagen AG and U.S. officials have reached a framework deal under which the automaker would offer to buy back almost 500,000 diesel cars that used sophisticated software to evade U.S. emission rules, two people briefed on the matter said on Wednesday."

"Representatives from more than 150 countries will gather at the United Nations on Friday to officially sign a global accord aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing climate change. But in the four months since that historic pact was negotiated in Paris, a drumbeat of grim scientific findings has underscored that staving off the worst consequences of global warming may take far more aggressive actions."

"Global warming attribution studies consistently find humans are responsible for all global warming over the past six decades."

"Ninety to 100 percent of climate scientists agree that the planet is warming due to human activity, according to a peer-reviewed paper published Wednesday in the journal Environmental Research Letters. The study, called a 'consensus on consensus,' synthesizes findings from prior published research."

"Here are the six winners of the 2016 Goldman Environmental Prize, an annual $175,000 award given to honor and support the efforts of activists working to restore or protect the environment in communities around the world — sometimes at substantial personal risk."

"Early start date would add momentum for deeper emissions cuts and lock a future US president into the deal for four years".

"On Friday, NASA released the latest temperature data for the globe, showing that March of 2016 was the hottest March on record since reliable measurements began in 1880."

"The death toll from Saturday's earthquake has risen to 262. The new number was given to reporters Sunday night. President Rafael Correa, who cut short a trip to Rome to return to Ecuador, said he expects the death toll to rise. Government officials say there are many people who are still missing."