SpaceX rocket accident leaves Starlink satellites in wrong orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A SpaceX rocket failed for the first time in nearly a decade, leaving the company’s internet satellites in an orbit so low that they’re doomed to fall through the atmosphere and burn up. The Falcon 9…
America’s pioneering sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer dies at 96
NEW YORK — Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the diminutive sex therapist who became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics, has died. She was 96. Westheimer died on Friday at her home…
Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in US
MOUNT STORM, West Virginia — Down a long gravel road, tucked into the hills in West Virginia, is a low-slung building where researchers are extracting essential elements from an old coal mine that they hope will strengthen the nation’s energy…
Groups try save Africa’s only penguin species
Experts warn that the African penguin could be extinct in the wild by 2035. That’s why two environmental groups are taking legal action against the South African government to help save the species. Reporter Vicky Stark in Cape Town, South…
Poll: 60% of US adults support protection of access to in vitro fertilization
WASHINGTON — Relatively few Americans fully endorse the idea that a fertilized egg should have the same rights as a pregnant woman. But a significant share say it describes their views at least somewhat well, according to a new poll…
Eswatini-Belarus ties spark health care advances
MBABANE, ESWATINI — Eswatini, in an ambitious bid to overhaul its health care system, is partnering with Belarus, paving the way for what officials in the southern African nation hope will be increased access to critical medicines, and the sharing…
WHO: Limited surveillance hampers bird flu risk assessment
The World Health Organization said its ability to assess and manage the risk posed by H5N1 avian influenza — bird flu — cases around the world is hampered by limited surveillance of animal and human cases of the disease. At…
Las Vegas hits record of fifth consecutive day of 46.1 Celsius or greater
LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas baked Wednesday in its record fifth consecutive day of temperatures sizzling at 46.1 Celsius or greater amid a lengthening hot spell that is expected to broil much of the U.S. into the weekend. The temperature…
Astronauts confident Boeing space capsule can safely return to Earth
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Two astronauts who should have been back on Earth weeks ago said Wednesday that they’re confident that Boeing’s space capsule can return them safely, despite breakdowns. NASA test pilots Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams launched aboard…
Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully launches for first time
Kourou, France — Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket successfully blasted off for the first time on Tuesday, releasing satellites into orbit and restoring the continent’s independent access to space. European space efforts have suffered a series of blows, including four…