Uganda reintroduces rhinos into protected area where they had been extinct

KARAMOJA, Uganda (AP) – Ugandan wildlife authorities have reintroduced rhinos into a remote protected area where they were once poached into extinction, an event seen by conservationists as a milestone in efforts to support the recovery of a species threatened by poaching.

Pope Leo moves Father Flanagan of Boys Town fame closer to sainthood

Pope Leo XIV put the Rev. Edward Joseph Flanagan a step closer to possible sainthood Monday as he proclaimed the “heroic virtues” of the founder of Boys Town, a Nebraska home for at-risk youths that gained national renown and inspired an Oscar-winning biopic performance.

A real possum appears among plush toy animals in Australian airport gift shop

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – On shelves crammed with cuddly toy native animals in an Australian airport gift shop, one fluffy possum stood out: Its big brown eyes were moving. A browsing passenger first spotted a living Australian brushtail possum peering out from among the kangaroos on the display shelf at the departure terminal shop at Hobart Airport.

How notorious billionaire Leona Helmsley's foundation is saving lives

When Marcy Smith’s oncologist told her she needed radiation treatment for breast cancer, her first response was no. She’d already had a lumpectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. The radiation would require six weeks of treatment in Billings, Montana – 220 miles from her Glendive home.

A rare look inside the Sistine Chapel for a private concert about angel encounters

VATICAN CITY (AP) – The Vatican’s Sistine Chapel hosted a concert Sunday evening, debuting a composition focused on interactions with angels found throughout the Bible. The Vatican sometimes hosts concerts for visiting musicians and other special occasions. But the events are always invite-only, and it is extremely rare for photojournalists to receive access.

OpenAI Foundation pledges $1B to ensure AI 'benefits all of humanity'

OpenAI Foundation, the nonprofit that controls the artificial intelligence company OpenAI and its flagship product ChatGPT, pledged Tuesday to grant out $1 billion over the next year and to build up its capacity as a philanthropic funder.

People 'bathe' in nature to get respite from chaotic news cycle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – For two hours, Claire Jefferies wanted to get away from the war in Iran and the rising gas prices and just commune with nature. And, so, she treated herself to a little forest bathing.

Brazil rolls out law boosting online protection of minors

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) – A Brazilian law that seeks to shield minors from addictive, violent and pornographic online content took effect this week, with experts calling it a milestone in the protection of children and adolescents.

French bulldog frenzy may be cooling in US, but dachshunds ride high

NEW YORK (AP) – Americans still dig French bulldogs, retrievers and German shepherds. But dachshunds are increasingly hot dogs. For the first time in over two decades, the sausage-shaped hounds were among the top five most prevalent dog breeds, according to American Kennel Club rankings released Wednesday.