Science

Strong quake hits Japan's northeast coast; no tsunami alert

By Yuri Kageyama, Associated Press

A strong earthquake hit off the coast of northeastern Japan late Saturday, shaking Fukushima, Miyagi and other areas, but there was no threat of a tsunami, officials said.

Judge overturns Trump action that lifted mining ban in U.S. West

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

U.S. District Judge Lynn Winmill said in Thursday's ruling that the decision under Trump to cancel a prior effort to ban mining failed to fully consider how the move would affect greater sage grouse.

U.S. agency cancels Trump policy on conservation purchases

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega on Thursday rescinded a November order from former Secretary David Bernhardt that was criticized by lawmakers from both parties in Congress.

Audit raises concerns about wildfire risks at U.S. nuclear lab

By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

Los Alamos National Laboratory is the birthplace of the atomic bomb and has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in losses and damage from previous wildfires.

WHO expert group recommends use of AstraZeneca vaccine

By Jamey Keaten, Associated Press

Independent experts advising the World Health Organization have recommended the use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine to fight COVID-19 even in countries that have turned up worrying coronavirus variants in their populations.

Turkey sets sights on moon mission in 2023

By Suzan Fraser, Associated Press

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unveiled an ambitious 10-year space program that includes missions to the moon, sending Turkish astronauts into space and developing internationally viable satellite systems.

Next stop Mars: 3 spacecraft arriving in quick succession

By Marcia Dunn, Associated Press

After hurtling hundreds of millions of miles through space since last summer, three robotic explorers are ready to hit the brakes at Mars. The stakes — and anxiety — are sky high.

Pentagon deploys troops to fuel COVID-19 vaccine drive

By Lolita C. Baldor, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Associated Press

The Pentagon will deploy more than 1,100 troops to five vaccination centers in what will be the first wave of increased military support for the White House vaccination campaign.

AP report: Biden delays Trump rule that weakened wild bird protections

By Matthew Brown, Associated Press

U.S. wildlife officials said the rule could mean more birds die, including those that land in oil pits or collide with power lines. Under Trump, the government sided with industry groups seeking to end prosecutions of accidental but preventable bird…

Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez seek climate emergency declaration

By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

A week after President Joe Biden signed signed executive orders intended to combat the worst effects of climate change, progressive lawmakers are urging him to go even further and declare a national emergency on climate change.