"California has approved an unprecedented plan to protect the iconic Joshua tree from climate change and development."

"The plastics contaminating every corner of the Earth contain thousands of unregulated toxic chemicals. As global plastic talks end without a treaty, health experts say negotiators must consider their toxic cargo."

"A Hong Kong court is hearing closing arguments in the landmark trial of Jimmy Lai, one of the fiercest critics of the Chinese state". "The 77-year-old is the founder of pro-democracy publications including the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper".

"In El Paso, heat deaths hit record highs in 2023 and 2024. Advocates say not enough is being done to protect the region’s most vulnerable people."

"The agency plans to fast-track these projects through the development process. Nuclear energy experts worry about the feasibility and safety of the plan." 

"One of the largest deer-smuggling networks in the state’s history aimed to skirt chronic wasting disease-containment rules, officials say." 

"EPA expressed alarm at contamination in a creek near a predominantly Black neighborhood. Then the agency eliminated its civil-rights office and has taken no further action."

"The recently passed spending bill sets logging targets that federal officials don’t have the capacity to meet"  "The new law sets aggressive timber harvesting goals and slashes spending for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. Environmental advocates and industry insiders say those goals are contradictory and unworkable."