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In 2014, Virginia removed a dam that had blocked migrating fish for over 70 years; nearly 130 miles of upstream spawning and nursery habitat reopened

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In 2014, Virginia removed a dam that had blocked migrating fish for over 70 years; nearly 130 miles of upstream spawning and nursery habitat reopened

For decades, a concrete barrier on Virginia’s Appomattox River stood between migratory fish and more than 120 miles of upstream habitat. In 2014, its removal changed that. The Harvell Dam in Petersburg was taken out as part of a collaborative restoration effort, reconnecting roughly 127 miles of river for migratory and resident fish, according to … Read more

Scientists sent a robot two miles below California and found a bigfin squid; it was the first live Northeast Pacific sighting

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Scientists sent a robot two miles below California and found a bigfin squid; it was the first live Northeast Pacific sighting

Photo credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute Two miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, in a world of near total darkness and crushing pressure, a remotely operated vehicle glided silently through the water. Its cameras were scanning the deep for the strange and the seldom-seen when something extraordinary … Read more

Michael Bloomberg was fired from a Wall Street bank after 15 years. He used his $10 million payout to build a $109 billion fortune and has given away $25.4 billion

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Michael Bloomberg was fired from a Wall Street bank after 15 years. He used his $10 million payout to build a $109 billion fortune and has given away $25.4 billion

Michael Bloomberg was 39 when his 15-year career at Wall Street investment bank Salomon Brothers came to an end in 1981. A general partner at the firm, Bloomberg left as Salomon was being acquired by Phibro Corporation and received about $10 million for his stake. Rather than use the money to retire or join another … Read more

Lightning struck an 1890 Georgia mansion; its owners drove away unaware the turret was burning until passersby spotted flames, and firefighters kept the main floor undamaged

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Lightning struck an 1890 Georgia mansion; its owners drove away unaware the turret was burning until passersby spotted flames, and firefighters kept the main floor undamaged

A lightning strike set fire to the turret of a historic Georgia mansion Saturday night, damaging its distinctive steeple and balcony but leaving the business operating inside largely untouched, according to FOX 5 Atlanta, which reported the incident on September 6. The fire broke out at the Maple Street Mansion at 401 Maple Street in … Read more

An Alabama developer paid $4.6 million for 65 acres after the city unanimously backed the project; the land will become housing, shops, medical offices and workplaces

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An Alabama developer paid $4.6 million for 65 acres after the city unanimously backed the project; the land will become housing, shops, medical offices and workplaces

An Alabama developer has acquired about 65 acres in Hoover for $4.6 million, securing the remaining land needed for the third phase of Stadium Trace Village, a large mixed-use development that is already reshaping one of the city’s major commercial corridors. Broad Metro LLC completed the purchase on August 17, according to the company and … Read more

Mississippi teen Madalyn Sullivan wrote an autism-acceptance book inspired by her sister and sent it to libraries in all 82 counties; she has now finished second at Miss America’s Teen

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Mississippi teen Madalyn Sullivan wrote an autism-acceptance book inspired by her sister and sent it to libraries in all 82 counties; she has now finished second at Miss America’s Teen

As Miss Mississippi’s Teen, Sullivan planned to use her platform to support families affected by autism. Madalyn Sullivan, Miss Mississippi’s Teen and an Oxford native, has finished as first runner-up at Miss America’s Teen. The high school student reached the national stage after years of advocating for autism acceptance, inspired by her sister, and using … Read more

EU debate takes shape as Macron backs under-15 social media ban

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EU debate takes shape as Macron backs under-15 social media ban

French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: AP) France is preparing a second attempt at restricting social media for children under 15 while President Emmanuel Macron presses Brussels to turn the same age limit into a common European rule.He made the EU push in an August 29 letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling … Read more

In 2004, Toronto began using cold water from 83 metres beneath Lake Ontario to cool downtown buildings; today the system serves 200 buildings across 40 million sq ft

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In 2004, Toronto began using cold water from 83 metres beneath Lake Ontario to cool downtown buildings; today the system serves 200 buildings across 40 million sq ft

Representative Image (AI-generated) Deep beneath the surface of Lake Ontario, a layer of naturally cold water has become an unlikely part of Toronto’s urban infrastructure. Instead of relying entirely on conventional air-conditioning systems to cool its downtown buildings, the Canadian city uses the lake’s cold temperature as a source of cooling energy. According to a … Read more

In Japan, local authorities have installed signs warning drivers that cats may suddenly dash into the road, using playful illustrations to make the danger memorable

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In Japan, local authorities have installed signs warning drivers that cats may suddenly dash into the road, using playful illustrations to make the danger memorable

An unusual road-safety idea in Japan is turning an everyday danger into something drivers are unlikely to forget. In parts of the country, signs featuring cats warn motorists that an animal could suddenly run into the road. Some of the designs are deliberately playful, using striking cat illustrations rather than conventional wildlife-warning imagery. The idea … Read more

As the 9/11 attacks collapsed his office, a blind man’s guide dog helped him down 78 flights to safety and saved his life

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As the 9/11 attacks collapsed his office, a blind man's guide dog helped him down 78 flights to safety and saved his life

September 11, 2026, will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks which collapsed the World Trade Centre and led to the loss of thousands of lives. It also marks 25 years since Michael Hingson’s life was saved by his guide dog, who helped him escape from the 78th story of the north tower of … Read more