New Zealand: Landslide Hits Mount Maunganui 3

Six people, including two teenagers, are missing after a major landslide struck a local campground in Mount Maunganui on Thursday, January 22. Police are also seeking information on three others as search and rescue operations continue in a dangerous environment, with authorities describing the incident as a national tragedy and the community rallying to support affected families.

US: Brush Fire Burns 10 Acres in Antioch, California, Prompts Health Advisory

A three-alarm brush fire known as the Willow Fire broke out in Antioch, California, on Tuesday, July 15, burning at least 10 acres near Oakley Road and Willow Avenue. Thick black smoke spread across the area, prompting Contra Costa County officials to issue a public health advisory at 5:45 p.m. for nearby communities. By around 6 p.m., firefighters managed to contain the fire's perimeter, and the advisory was lifted at 8 p.m. No serious injuries were reported.

US: Strong Winter Storm Brings Blizzard Conditions To Sierra Nevada 3

A strong winter storm hit the Sierra Nevada on Friday, March 1, bringing heavy snow and high winds. Blizzard Warnings were issued for the area, including Lake Tahoe and eastern Nevada. The Sierra Avalanche Center warned that the danger of avalanches was high. Yosemite National Park and many ski resorts in the region announced they were closing at least for the day.

Phi Phi islands' drive to balance tourism, environmental conservation

STORY: Phi Phi islands' drive to balance tourism, environmental conservation DATELINE: Feb. 21, 2023 LENGTH: 0:02:37 LOCATION: KRABI, Thailand CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT SHOTLIST: 1. various of the Maya Bay beach 2. Marine Discovery Center's marine biologists and staff releasing the bamboo sharks to the ocean 3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): KULLAWIT LIMCHULARAT, Sustainability development senior specialist at Singha Estate 4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): BART CALLENS, Cluster General Manager of Saii Resorts STORYLINE: Phi Phi islands, a group of stunningly beautiful islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, were once plagued by the problems of over-tourism, prompting local authorities to close its most famous tourist spot Maya Bay in mid-2018. As tourism begins to pick up in the islands after the pandemic-induced lull, local authorities are striving to balance the need to attract visitors with the need to protect the environment. The number of people entering Maya Bay beach now has been reduced from around 7,

AUSTRALIA-LARGEST PLANT-DISCOVERY

AUSTRALIA-LARGEST PLANT-DISCOVERY

(220603) -- CANBERRA, June 3, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo provided by Rachel Austin from the University of Western Australia on June 1, 2022 shows the Posidonia australis seagrass meadow in Shark Bay, Western Australia, Australia. Australian researchers have discovered the world's largest plant off the country's west coast. In a study published on Wednesday, researchers from Flinders University in South Australia (SA) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) revealed they have discovered a seagrass stretching 180 km in Western Australia's Shark Bay. The researchers sought to understand the diversity of seagrass meadows in Shark Bay using genetic tools and were surprised to discover it was one vast organism of the Posidonia australis species. They estimate that it is at least 4,500 years old. (University of Western Australia/Handout via Xinhua)

Z-1 truss attached to International Space Station

Z-1 truss attached to International Space Station

HOUSTON, United States - An exterior framework known as the Z-1 truss (C) is installed onto the International Space Station (ISS) on Oct. 14. Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata began assembly work on the ISS using the space shuttle Discovery's robot arm, on the fourth day of an 11-day mission to add critical components to the expanding outpost. Wakata, one of seven Discovery crew members, plucked the Z-1 truss from the shuttle's cargo bay with the Canadian-made arm.

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY KEIR DULLEA, GARY LOCKWOOD 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY KEIR DULLEA, GARY LOCKWOOD HAL spies on the two astronauts in the space pod bay on Discovery Date: 1968