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Scientists struggle to protect infant corals from hungry fish

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. —  South Florida researchers trying to prevent predatory fish from devouring laboratory-grown coral are grasping at biodegradable straws in an effort to restore what some call the rainforest of the sea. Scientists around the world have been…

Top US general warns Ukraine on brink of being overrun by Russia

WASHINGTON —  The tenacity of Ukrainian troops will soon be no match for Russia’s manpower and missiles should U.S. lawmakers fail to approve additional security assistance for Ukraine, the top American general in Europe told lawmakers, part of a stark…

US restricts trade with companies tied to drones used by Russia, Houthis

WASHINGTON —  The United States restricted trade with five companies on Wednesday that it said help produce and procure drones for use by Russia in Ukraine and by Iran-backed Houthis in Red Sea shipping attacks. The companies from Russia and…

UN climate chief warns humanity has 2 years ‘to save the world’

The head of the United Nations’ climate agency says humanity only has two years left “to save the world,” and is calling for dramatic changes to curb heat-trapping emissions and financial decisions that prioritize the climate. In comments Wednesday, U.N….

Angolan fishermen blame Chinese trawlers for declining fish stock

In the port of Benguela on Angola’s Pacific coast, fishermen and fish traders are struggling to make ends meet. They say their catch is getting smaller and they blame illegal fishing by Chinese trawlers. For Joao Marcos, Barbara Santos has…

Ukrainian civilians help build up their country’s drone fleet

Inexpensive first-person view – or radio controlled – drones have become a powerful weapon in Ukraine’s war against Russian invaders. As the country presses the West for more military aid, many Ukrainian civilians are stepping in to help by making…

Biden administration imposes first-ever national drinking water limits on toxic PFAS

The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured. Officials say this will reduce exposure for 100…

Activists urge Nigeria to refuse Shell’s oil selloff plans

London —  Environmental and human rights activists are calling on the Nigerian government to withhold approval of plans by the London-based oil giant Shell to sell off its operations in the Niger Delta, unless the oil giant does more to…

China’s credit rating outlook downgraded

The credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded its outlook on China’s credit rating Wednesday. The agency released a statement citing “increasing risks to China’s public finance outlook” as its reason for cutting its outlook from stable to negative. Fitch is predicting…

Ukraine says Russian drone attacks targeted energy infrastructure

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that Russia targeted the country with 17 aerial drones, two cruise missiles and a ballistic missile. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 14 of the drones, with the intercepts taking place over the Mykolaiv and…