13.1 million U.S. coastal residents could face flooding because of rising sea levels
As many as 13.1 million people living along U.S. coastlines could face flooding by the end of the century because of rising sea levels, according to a new study that warns that large numbers of Americans could be forced to relocate to higher ground. The estimated number of coastal dwellers affected by rising sea level is three times higher than previously projected, according to the study published Monday in the science journal Nature Climate Change. As many as 1 million California residents could be affected. If protective measures are not implemented, the study says, large numbers of Americans could be forced to relocate in a migration mirroring the scale of the Great Migration of African Americans from Southern states during the 20th century.（LA Times）
Southern California’s Paul J. Watford is among Obama’s top choices for Supreme Court
President Barack Obama is edging closer to announcing his choice to fill the vacancy left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. With his decision expected to be unveiled any day now, here’s a roundup of the latest nomination coverage: The shortlist: President Obama appears to have narrowed his choice to three candidates, reports the Washington Post: D.C. Circuit Chief Judge Merrick Garland, D.C. Circuit Judge Sri Srinivasan and Ninth Circuit Judge Paul J. Watford. If nominated and confirmed, Judge Watford would be the third African-American to sit on the nation’s highest court. He would also be the fifth person from California and the first from Southern California. (The Wall Street Journal）
17 elephants jet into the U.S. from Swaziland despite protests
Seventeen elephants flown out of Swaziland on a chartered plane are now in their new home country — the United States. The elephants, from a game reserve run by nonprofit Big Game Parks, landed in Fort Worth, Texas, over the weekend aboard the cargo plane. In January, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved their relocation to the three facilities amid an outcry from conservationists. The zoos defended the transfer, saying the animals were set to be killed to make room for rhinos at the Swaziland facilities. The country is also undergoing a drought. “It escalated to a rescue mission last fall due to this state-of-emergency drought,” said Gregg Hudson, president of Dallas Zoo. In exchange for the elephants, the three U.S. zoos will donate funds toward the rhino conservation efforts at Big Game Parks. Conservationists have scrambled to stop the relocation, saying moving the elephants from the natural setting of the game reserve to zoos half a world away is detrimental to their health.（CNN）
Delta Plans to Begin Daily Service Between Los Angeles and Beijing
Delta Air Lines today announced plans to begin daily nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport on Dec. 16, pending U.S. Department of Transportation and foreign government approval.The launch of service is timed to capture peak holiday and Chinese New Year traffic. （Reuters）
Officer Accidentally Shot Fellow Officer During Videotaped Maryland Shootout
The police officer fatally shot outside Prince George’s County Police headquarters in Maryland on Sunday was accidentally hit by another officer during a videotaped shootout between police and a man who opened fire “unprovoked,” police say. Officer 1st Class Jacai Colson, 28, died after Michael DeAndre Ford, 22, opened fire about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Police Chief Hank Stawinski said at a news conference Monday evening. Ford’s brothers, Elijah Ford, 18, and Malik Ford, 21, were with Michael Ford, of Fort Washington, at the time of the shooting, police said. At least one of the brothers recorded the attack.（NBC）
