Scientists are blaming spacecraft for the deaths of nearly 1,000 rare saiga antelope over the past two weeks in Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstan Ministry of Agriculture has attributed the deaths to a strain of bacteria that affects the animal's lungs. But some ecologists are linking the deaths to a Russian space capsule that landed in the northern part of the country in April. Others are blaming the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch site in central Kazakhstan. “It could be from chemical elements left... Read More
In an effort to combat rising obesity, New York City plans to ban the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks at restaurants and entertainment venues, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Wednesday. A policy first, the ban would prohibit vendors from selling sweetened drinks larger than 16 fluid ounces, but wouldn't include diet sodas, fruit juices, dairy-based drinks, or alcoholic beverages. Food service establishments, movie theaters, street carts, and sports venues would all be subject to ... Read More
A decision made by Administrative Law Judge Kenneth Welsch yesterday in an Orlando courtroom will fundamentally change SeaWorld's killer whale shows. In a landmark case, Judge Welsch ruled in favor of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), concluding that the only way to keep Seaworld trainers safe is to either keep them away from close contact with the killer whales (which means no waterwork in the pools with them during shows), or to use physical barriers or other safety m... Read More
A self-built airplane crashed in Colorado on Tuesday, instantly killing the pilot and injuring the only passenger. Richard Tackabury, 65, built the twin-engine Air Cam experimental plane in December. He was flying it for the third time Tuesday when he crashed into the grass between two runways during landing. Tackabury died on impact, and his 42-year-old daughter was airlifted to the hospital, where she is now reported to be in fair condition. The cause of the crash is under investigation, but... Read More
On Monday, the Associated Press named California's Sequoia National Park as having the worst air pollution of any national park in the country. With startlingly high smog levels and an ozone reading that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers "unhealthy for everyone," conservation officials are raising concerns that the air is unsafe for visitors and the park's iconic trees. “Ozone levels here are comparable to urban settings such as L.A.,” said Emily Schrepf of ... Read More
