Found: Whale thought extinct for 2 million years

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Science on NBC News By Staff Writer updated 12/18/2012 9:00:15 PM ET

Image: Pygmy whale

The pygmy whale, a mysterious cetacean that looks radically different from all living whales, is actually the last living member of a group thought to have gone extinct 2 million years ago.

The pygmy right whale, a mysterious and elusive creature that rarely comes to shore, is the last living relative of an ancient group of whales long believed to be extinct, a new study suggests.

The findings, published Tuesday in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, may help to explain why the enigmatic marine mammals look so different from any other living whale.

Russian winter continues to kill

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Pravda - 12/19/12

Abnormally low winter temperatures in Russia continue to claim more and more lives. Twenty-one people froze to death in only one day; 147 others were hospitalized with frostbite. The cold weather in central Russia is not going to get any warmer soon. On December 19, the cold has reached St. Petersburg, where temperatures fell below -20 degrees Centigrade. It is 30 degrees below zero in the Ivanovo region, -22C in the Kaluga region, and -25 in Tver.

For the time being, the winter of 2012 has killed 45 people (266 have been hospitalized).

To read the rest of this story, visit Pravda.ru.

Weather: Flood Threat In Run-Up To Christmas

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Yahoo News - 12/18/12, Sky News

Forecasters have warned people to expect up to seven days of unsettled conditions as a series of wet weather systems engulf the UK.

And pockets of England have been told to prepare for yet more flooding after the Environment Agency issued another round of warnings.

To read the rest of this story, visit UK.News.Yahoo.com.

Tropical Cyclone Evan Hammers Fiji, Samoas

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Weather.com - 12/18/12, AP

Infrared satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Evan as its center hovers north of the Fiji island of Vanua Levu on December 17, 2012 at 2:30 a.m. local time.

Fiji residents are beginning to clean up after a powerful cyclone blew through the Pacific island nation.

Tropical Cyclone Evan on Monday ripped roofs from homes and churches, flooded roads and forced thousands to evacuate their homes. Strong seas near the capital, Suva, pulled two container ships onto a reef. Authorities say they hope to refloat them.

To watch the video and read the rest of this story, visit Weather.com.

"Good" Tornado Record Set, Expert Says

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Weather.com - 12/18/12, Jess Baker

The words "good" and "tornado" don't typically appear in the same sentence, so when Dr. Greg Forbes, the Weather Channel's Severe Weather Expert, said he uncovered a "good" tornado stat, we knew it was worth noting.

"By my count, today will be the 177th straight day without a tornado fatality in the USA," Dr. Forbes says. The expert says that's the longest streak in two decades.

To read the rest of this story, visit Weather.com.

Ukraine Cold Spell Leaves Dozens Dead

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Weather.com - 12/18/12, AP

SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP/Getty Images

A woman walks past a a snow-covered artillery piece during a winter's day in Kiev on December 18, 2012.

KIEV, Ukraine -- Ukrainian health officials say 37 people have died from the severe cold spell that hit the country this month.

Temperatures have dropped as low as minus-17 C (2 F).

To read the rest of this story, visit Weather.com.

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