White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has breast cancer but will keep working

WASHINGTON (AP) – White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer but plans to continue working through her treatment, retaining her place as one of President Donald Trump’s closest aides during a period of political turbulence.

After attacks on Iran's oil facilities, toxic black rain endangers the public

Clouds of toxic smoke unleashed into the atmosphere by U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian oil facilities made a dangerous return to Earth in the form of “black rain,” prompting international health officials to warn of serious risks to the public. Residents in Tehran complained last week of burning eyes and difficulty breathing.

Raucous bird tornado as snow geese make annual flight to Arctic

KLEINFELTERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) – A few dozen birdwatchers gathered in the predawn darkness to wait for the moment when thousands of migrating snow geese stopped honking and preening to suddenly take flight from a Pennsylvania reservoir.

All but 2 of Austria's 96 glaciers have retreated over last 2 years

VIENNA (AP) – All but two of Austria’s 96 glaciers have retreated over the last two years, monitors in the Alpine country reported Friday, saying the “dramatic development” highlights the impact of climate change.

Thailand's 'Death Fest' invites visitors to embrace mortality

NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) – Thailand’s “Death Fest” invites people to confront mortality while also offering practical services and spiritual advice for the inevitable.

Louisiana's alligator farms raise the reptiles for meat, skins - and conservation

ABBEVILLE, La. (AP) – Jacob Sagrera unrolls an alligator skin and lays it flat on a metal table, brushing off flecks of salt. He holds it up to the light, looking for blemishes, and gives it a score. That score will help a tannery an ocean away prepare it to be used by a luxury designer – for items like boots, watch bands and handbags destined for fashion runways and posh shops.

NASA clears Artemis moon rocket for an April launch with four astronauts

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – NASA cleared its moon rocket on Thursday for an April launch with four astronauts. The 322-foot (98-meter) rocket will roll out of the hangar and back to the pad next week at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, leading to a launch attempt as early as April 1. It will mark humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than 50 years.

EPA weakens pollution limits on chemical used to sterilize medical equipment

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Environmental Protection Agency proposed Friday to weaken air pollution limits on a chemical used to sterilize medical equipment, a move that would reverse a Biden administration finding of high cancer risks at manufacturing facilities that use ethylene oxide to clean medical devices like catheters and syringes.