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Science & Health

Mpox cases in Congo may be stabilizing, but more vaccines needed to stamp out virus

Goma, Congo —  Some health officials say mpox cases in Congo appear to be “stabilizing” — a possible sign that the main epidemic for which the World Health Organization made a global emergency declaration in August might be on the…

Lahore air pollution hits historic high, forcing school closures

KARACHI —  Unprecedented air pollution levels in Pakistan’s second-largest city of Lahore prompted authorities to take emergency measures on Sunday, including issuing work-from-home mandates and closing primary schools. The city held the top spot on a real-time list of the…

Ethiopia bans imports of gas-powered private vehicles, but switch to electric is bumpy ride

ADDIS ABABA —  As the price of fuel soared in Ethiopia earlier this year, Awgachew Seleshi decided to buy an electric car. That aligned with the government’s new efforts to phase out gas-powered vehicles. But months later, he’s questioning whether…

Will people leave Florida after devastating hurricanes? History suggests not

orlando, florida —  The news rippled through Treasure Island, Florida, almost like a third storm: The mayor planned to move off the barrier island a month after Hurricane Helene flooded tens of thousands of homes along the Gulf Coast and…

Nevada lithium mine will crush rare plant habitat US said is critical to its survival, lawsuit says

RENO, Nevada —  Conservationists and a Native American tribe are suing the U.S. to try to block a Nevada lithium mine they say will drive an endangered desert wildflower to extinction, disrupt groundwater flows and threaten cultural resources. The Center…

Time to ‘fall back’ an hour as daylight saving time ends

The good news: You will get a glorious extra hour of sleep. The bad: It’ll be dark by late afternoon for the next few months in the United States. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time Sunday, which…

Agreement signed at UN summit gives Indigenous groups voice

CALI, Colombia —  After two weeks of negotiations, delegates on Saturday agreed at the United Nations conference on biodiversity to establish a subsidiary body that will include Indigenous peoples in future decisions on nature conservation, a development that builds on…

Robot retrieves first melted fuel from Fukushima nuclear reactor

TOKYO —  A remote-controlled robot has safely returned with a tiny piece of melted fuel it collected from inside one of three damaged reactors at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant for the first time since the 2011 meltdown….

Winter depression is real, and there are many ways to fight back

As winter approaches and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains. “It’s a feeling of panic, fear, anxiety and dread all in one,” said Germaine Pataki, 63, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan….

World’s largest captive crocodile dies in Australia

sydney —  A 5.48-meter Australian crocodile that held the world record as the largest crocodile in captivity has died, a wildlife sanctuary said on Saturday. He was thought to be more than 110 years old. Cassius, weighing in at more…