A surge in earthquakes beneath a volcano near Alaska’s largest city is drawing increased attention from geologists. Mount Spurr, located approximately 80 miles (129 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage, last erupted in 1992, releasing an ash plume nearly 12 miles (19 kilometers) high. The eruption disrupted air travel and prompted residents to wear masks. The Alaska Volcano Observatory warns that another eruption from the 11,100-foot (3,383-meter) stratovolcano could significantly impact the city. In October, the observatory elevated Mount Spurr’s alert level from green to yellow after noticing a marked rise in seismic activity and ground deformation detected through satellite imagery. According to observatory scientist David Fee, around 1,500 minor earthquakes have been recorded beneath the volcano this year, compared to an annual average of about 100. While this uptick is notable, Fee emphasized that it is "not an enormous amount" and does not necessarily indicate an imminent eruption. Similar activity occurred between 2004 and 2006 but eventually subsided without an eruption. “We haven’t observed any major changes in our data suggesting an eruption is near,” Fee said. “This has been a period of low-level unrest, but we’re closely monitoring for any developments.” Dive team deployed after helicopter crashes into Alaska lake; all 4 on board presumed dead Scientists are using seismic instruments, satellite data, and webcam feeds to detect signs of an impending eruption, such as increased earthquakes, surface deformation, the formation of a summit lake, or fumaroles—gas and vapor-emitting vents. Mount Spurr’s last eruption in 1992 originated from the Crater Peak vent, located about 2 miles (3 kilometers) south of the summit. That event deposited roughly a quarter-inch of ash in Anchorage, forcing residents indoors or to wear masks. The ash cloud drifted as far as Greenland. A similar eruption occurred in 1953, while the summit’s last known eruption dates back over 5,000 years. Volcanic ash, composed of sharp, angular particles, can halt jet engines, which led to airport closures in Anchorage and nearby areas during the 1992 eruption. Such disruptions are especially impactful in Alaska, where limited road access makes air travel crucial. Today, the Anchorage airport is a global cargo hub, ranking among the busiest alongside Memphis, Hong Kong, and Shanghai due to Alaska’s strategic location near Asia. Mount Spurr is part of the Volcanic Ring of Fire and one of 53 Alaskan volcanoes that have been active within the past 250 years.

Iran has announced the successful launch of a satellite-carrying rocket, the latest achievement in its space programme, which has faced longstanding criticism from Western nations, reports AP The launch, conducted at the Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan province, utilised Iran’s Simorgh programme. This rocket, which had previously experienced several failures, successfully carried an "orbital propulsion system" and two research instruments into orbit at 400 kilometres (250 miles) above Earth. The payload weight of 300 kilograms (660 pounds) marked a record for Iran's successful space launches. Independent verification of the launch’s success has not yet been reported, and the U.S. military has not provided a comment on the matter. The announcement coincides with increased regional tensions, particularly related to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, and a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. The United States has argued that Iran’s satellite launches violate a U.N. Security Council resolution and has urged the country to cease activities involving ballistic missile technology that could be used for nuclear weapon delivery. Although U.N. sanctions on Iran’s ballistic missile programme ended in October 2023, U.S. intelligence has noted that the technology developed for space launches could potentially accelerate the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Under former President Hassan Rouhani, Iran had restrained its space programme to avoid heightening Western tensions, but former President Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in 2021, had pushed forward with these efforts. Raisi, a close associate of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, passed away in a helicopter crash in May. Iran’s current President, Masoud Pezeshkian, who has expressed a desire to negotiate with the West over sanctions, has not yet outlined a clear strategy regarding the country’s space programme. This latest Simorgh launch is the first under Pezeshkian’s administration, following a successful launch by the Revolutionary Guard’s parallel programme in September. Iran continues to assert that its space programme, like its nuclear activities, is purely for civilian use, despite U.S. and IAEA assessments suggesting that Iran had a military nuclear programme until 2003. The International Atomic Energy Agency has warned that Tehran now possesses enough enriched uranium for several nuclear weapons, should it decide to pursue them.

Two European satellites were launched into orbit on Thursday, marking the first mission designed to create artificial solar eclipses using advanced formation flying in space, reports AP. Starting next year, each artificial eclipse will last approximately six hours, significantly longer than the brief totality of natural eclipses on Earth. This extended duration will allow scientists to study the sun's corona, its outer atmosphere, in greater detail. The satellites were launched from India. “We are a very happy science team here,” said Joe Zender, mission scientist for the European Space Agency (ESA), via email. As part of a technological demonstration, the satellites will separate in about a month and maintain a formation 492 feet (150 meters) apart. Once positioned high above Earth, one satellite will align with the sun and cast a shadow on the other. Achieving this requires extreme precision, with alignment accuracy within one millimetre — about the thickness of a fingernail, according to ESA. To maintain this positioning, the satellites will use GPS, star trackers, lasers, and radio links to fly autonomously. Each satellite is cube-shaped, measuring under 5 feet (1.5 meters) across. The shadow-casting satellite carries a disk designed to block sunlight from the telescope on the other satellite. The setup mimics the effect of a natural total solar eclipse, with the blocking satellite resembling the moon and the telescope-equipped satellite representing Earth. “This has a huge scientific relevance in addition to testing high-precision formation flying,” said Dietmar Pilz, ESA’s director of technology and engineering. Scientists need the sun’s face entirely obscured to study the corona, particularly its wispy structure near the solar rim. They aim to understand why the corona is hotter than the sun’s surface and to investigate coronal mass ejections — massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields. These events can trigger geomagnetic storms that disrupt power and communication systems on Earth while producing spectacular auroras in unexpected regions. The satellites will follow an elliptical orbit ranging from 370 miles (600 kilometers) to 37,000 miles (60,000 kilometers) from Earth. Completing an orbit will take nearly 20 hours, with six hours at the farther end dedicated to creating eclipses. Other orbits will focus on formation flying tests, ESA reported. The first eclipse data is expected in March after initial spacecraft checks. According to Zender, eclipses will be generated at least twice weekly, with six hours of totality per event for corona observations. The frequency will depend on solar activity, providing significant opportunities for research compared to the fleeting three to five minutes of totality during natural eclipses. The $210 million mission, named Proba-3, aims to achieve at least 1,000 hours of “on-demand” totality over its two-year operational period. Afterward, the satellites will gradually deorbit and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere within approximately five years. A last-minute issue with the backup propulsion system on one satellite, critical for precision flying, delayed liftoff by a day. Engineers resolved the problem with a software fix, ESA confirmed.

The new head of the U.N. humanitarian aid agency has pledged a “ruthless” approach to prioritizing spending, emphasizing the need to maximize limited resources amid growing fundraising challenges for civilians in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine. Tom Fletcher, a veteran British diplomat who assumed leadership of the agency last month, announced a reduced funding request for 2025 compared to this year. He stressed the importance of focusing resources effectively, even as global crises become more frequent, severe, and protracted. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) unveiled its 2025 global appeal on Wednesday, seeking $47 billion to assist 190 million people in 32 countries. However, it estimates that 305 million people worldwide require aid. “The world is on fire, and this is how we put it out,” Fletcher told reporters on Tuesday, acknowledging the enormity of the task. OCHA, along with other humanitarian organizations such as the International Red Cross, has faced declining donations for enduring crises in places like Syria, South Sudan, and the Middle East, as well as newer emergencies in Ukraine and Sudan. Access to aid remains a significant challenge in certain areas, particularly Sudan and Gaza. As of last month, only 43% of OCHA’s $50 billion appeal for 2024 had been funded. One result of this shortfall was an 80% reduction in food aid for Syria, where violence has recently intensified. For 2025, the largest funding needs are for Syria, which requires $8.7 billion for assistance within the country and neighboring nations hosting Syrian refugees. Sudan’s needs total $6 billion, followed by $4 billion for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, $3.3 billion for Ukraine, and nearly $3.2 billion for Congo. Fletcher stressed the need to focus aid on those most in need, describing the decision-making process as a “ruthless” exercise in prioritization. “I choose that word carefully because it reflects the tough judgments required to allocate funds where they will have the greatest impact,” he said, admitting past struggles to secure sufficient funding. Addressing concerns about future U.S. support under President-elect Donald Trump, Fletcher said he expects to spend considerable time in Washington advocating for humanitarian funding. The United States remains the U.N.’s largest donor, but Fletcher acknowledged that some governments may adopt a more skeptical stance toward U.N. initiatives. “America is very much on our minds at the moment,” he said, recognizing the potential for greater scrutiny of humanitarian efforts. The year has been the deadliest on record for humanitarian workers and U.N. staff, largely due to the Middle East conflict ignited by the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militants in Israel.

A rare spade-toothed whale, one of only seven ever identified, is providing scientists and cultural experts in New Zealand a rare opportunity to study the elusive species. Found deceased on a beach in July, the nearly intact specimen is the first of its kind to be closely examined. Anton van Helden, a senior marine science adviser and the individual who named the species, expressed his excitement, calling the discovery extraordinary. Despite studying beaked whales for over three decades, this marked his first encounter with a spade-toothed whale dissection. The spade-toothed whale remains shrouded in mystery. Scientists know little about its habitat, diet, or physiology, and none have been observed alive in the wild. Over the coming week, researchers in Dunedin aim to uncover insights about the species, including its feeding mechanisms, sound production, and potential new parasites. A twice-yearly shot could help end AIDS The species was first recognized in 2002 through DNA analysis of skeletal remains found in New Zealand and Chile. Until a pair of spade-toothed whales washed ashore in 2010, researchers were unsure if the species was extinct. However, this is the first time a specimen has been subjected to detailed study. The dissection is being conducted with the involvement of the Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people, who consider whales sacred treasures. Members of the local iwi, Te Rūnanga Ōtākou, are observing traditional customs during the process, including prayers and the retention of the whale’s jawbone and teeth. These items will remain with the iwi, while the rest of the skeleton is set for museum display, supported by 3D-printed replicas created from CT scans. The far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes too The whale’s discovery has drawn international attention, with scientists eager to understand its life and behavior. Beaked whales are known for deep diving, and it is believed that spade-toothed whales inhabit the vast Southern Pacific Ocean. The findings could shed light not only on this enigmatic species but also on broader oceanic ecosystems and human-related applications.

A new HIV prevention shot, hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against AIDS, has demonstrated near-perfect results in clinical trials. The drug, known as lenacapavir, requires administration only twice a year. A study showed it was 100% effective in preventing HIV infections among women and nearly as effective in men. Its potential has drawn global attention as a game-changer in HIV prevention. Pharmaceutical company Gilead, which developed the drug under the brand name Sunlenca, plans to provide affordable generic versions in 120 low-income countries heavily impacted by HIV, including many in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. However, its exclusion of most Latin American nations, where infection rates are climbing, has sparked criticism from health experts and advocates. “This is the most effective prevention tool we’ve seen,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, emphasizing the need to ensure widespread access. UNAIDS' latest report marks a critical moment in combating AIDS, with global deaths from the disease at a record low of 630,000 in 2022. China's new crew has arrived at space station in sign of growing influence in space field While lenacapavir is already approved for HIV treatment in parts of North America and Europe, its availability for prevention remains limited. Advocacy groups from Latin America have urged Gilead to include their region in the generic distribution deal. Many worry that stigma, discrimination, and unequal access could hinder efforts to curb rising infection rates. Dr. Alma Minerva Pérez, a researcher in Mexico, highlighted the reluctance of vulnerable groups, such as gay men, to seek daily prevention pills due to societal stigma. For them, a semi-annual injection would be life-changing. Despite Mexico's provision of free daily pills since 2021, the government has yet to announce plans to make Sunlenca accessible. Advocacy groups have called for compulsory licensing, a strategy used in past health crises, to bypass patents and make the drug affordable. The pricing disparity has also raised concerns. While Sunlenca costs over $40,000 annually in high-income countries, experts estimate it could be manufactured for as little as $40 per treatment with generic production. A similar issue exists with Viiv Healthcare's bi-monthly HIV prevention shot, Apretude, which costs $1,500 annually in middle-income nations. Advocacy groups argue these high prices block access for populations in need. Chinese lunar probe returns to Earth with world's first samples from far side of moon Health leaders stress the importance of making lenacapavir universally accessible, especially in regions with the highest HIV burden. While Gilead has pledged to streamline access to the drug, experts believe governments must act decisively to integrate it into public health programs. “The missing piece is ensuring equitable distribution,” said Dr. Salim Abdool Karim, a South African AIDS expert. With over 1 million new HIV infections reported annually, lenacapavir offers an unprecedented opportunity to prevent the spread of the virus. The global health community now faces the challenge of translating this scientific breakthrough into accessible care for vulnerable populations.

Cucumbers shipped to the U.S. and Canada, and organic eggs sold in 25 Costco stores in five southern U.S. states, were recalled this week for potential salmonella contamination. The cucumber outbreak sickened 68 people, including 18 who were hospitalized, in 19 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. No one has died. Produce grown in Sonora, Mexico, by Agrotato S.A. may be the culprit, the agency said. A recall announced Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was tied to the outbreak. SunFed Produce, based in Arizona, recalled cucumbers sold between Oct. 12 and Nov. 26, the FDA said. The recall happened after SunFed was told by the FDA that there were associated illnesses reported between Oct. 12 and Nov. 15. People who bought cucumbers during the window should check with the store where they purchased them to see if the produce is part of the recall. The egg recall involved nearly 11,000 cartons of 24-count organic eggs sold under Costco's Kirkland Signature brand that landed on shelves in Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee starting Nov. 22, according to the company’s announcement posted Wednesday on the FDA website. No illnesses were immediately reported. Handsome Brook Farms said the cartons included eggs that were “not intended for retail distribution." Shoppers should check to see whether their egg cartons have Julian code 327 printed on the side and have a use-by date of Jan. 5, 2025. If the eggs are included in the recall, throw them out or take them back to the store for a refund. New Mexico man awarded $412 million medical malpractice payout for botched injections Customers who had either of the recalled food products should wash items and surfaces that may have been in contact with the foods using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher. Salmonella can cause symptoms that begin six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria and include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people recover without treatment within a week, but young children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems can become seriously ill. Earlier this summer, a separate salmonella outbreak in cucumbers sickened 450 people in the U.S.  

Jurors in New Mexico have awarded a man more than $412 million in a medical malpractice case that involved a men’s health clinic that operates in several states. The man’s attorneys celebrated Monday’s verdict, saying they are hopeful it will prevent other men from falling victim to a scheme that involved fraud and what they described as dangerous penile injections. They said the punitive and compensatory damages total the largest amount to ever be awarded by a jury in a medical malpractice case in the U.S. “It's a national record setting case and it's righteous because I don't think there's any place for licensed professionals to be defrauding patients for money. That is a very egregious breach of their fiduciary duty," said Lori Bencoe, one of the lawyers who represented the plaintiff. "That's breach of trust and anytime someone is wearing a white coat, they shouldn't be allowed to do that.” The award follows a trial held in Albuquerque earlier this month that centered on allegations outlined in a lawsuit filed by the man's attorneys in 2020. NuMale Medical Center and company officials were named as defendants. According to the complaint, the man was 66 when he visited the clinic in 2017 in search of treatment for fatigue and weight loss. The clinic is accused of misdiagnosing him and unnecessarily treating him with “invasive erectile dysfunction shots” that caused irreversible damage. China's new crew has arrived at space station in sign of growing influence in space field Nick Rowley, another attorney who was part of the plaintiff's team, said the out-of-state medical corporation set up a “fraudulent scheme to make millions off of conning old men.” He provided some details in a social media post, saying clinic workers told patients they would have irreversible damage if they didn't agree to injections three times a week. NuMale Medical Center President Brad Palubicki said in a statement sent Wednesday to The Associated Press that the company's focus is on continuing to deliver responsible patient care while maintaining strict safety and compliance standards at all of its facilities. “While we respect the judicial process, due to ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot comment on specific details of the case at this time,” he said. Scientists expect more solar storms to produce auroras NuMale also has clinics in Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wisconsin. According to court records, jurors found that fraudulent and negligent conduct by the defendants resulted in damages to the plaintiff. They also found that unconscionable conduct by the defendants violated the Unfair Practices Act.

Australia’s House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would ban children younger than 16 years old from social media, leaving it to the Senate to finalize the world-first law. The major parties backed the bill that would make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts. The legislation passed 102 to 13. If the bill becomes law this week, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restrictions before the penalties are enforced. Opposition lawmaker Dan Tehan told Parliament the government had agreed to accept amendments in the Senate that would bolster privacy protections. Platforms would not be allowed to compel users to provide government-issued identity documents including passports or driver’s licenses, nor could they demand digital identification through a government system. “Will it be perfect? No. But is any law perfect? No, it’s not. But if it helps, even if it helps in just the smallest of ways, it will make a huge difference to people’s lives,” Tehan told Parliament. The bill was introduced to the Senate late Wednesday to be debated at an unspecified time. The major parties’ support all but guarantees the legislation will pass in the Senate, where no party holds a majority of seats. Lawmakers who were not aligned with either the government or the opposition were most critical of the legislation during debate on Tuesday and Wednesday. Criticisms include that the legislation had been rushed through Parliament without adequate scrutiny, would not work, would create privacy risks for users of all ages and would take away parents’ authority to decide what’s best for their children. Critics also argue the ban would isolate children, deprive them of positive aspects of social media, drive children to the dark web, make children too young for social media reluctant to report harms they encountered, and take away incentives for platforms to make online spaces safer. Independent lawmaker Zoe Daniel said the legislation would “make zero difference to the harms that are inherent to social media.” “The true object of this legislation is not to make social media safe by design, but to make parents and voters feel like the government is doing something about it,” Daniel told Parliament. “There is a reason why the government parades this legislation as world-leading, that’s because no other country wants to do it,” she added. The platforms had asked for the vote to be delayed until at least June next year when a government-commissioned evaluation of age assurance technologies made its report on how the ban could be enforced. Melbourne resident Wayne Holdsworth, whose 17-year-old son Mac took his own life last year after falling victim to an online sextortion scam, described the bill as “absolutely essential for the safety of our children.” “It’s not the only thing that we need to do to protect them because education is the key, but to provide some immediate support for our children and parents to be able to manage this, it’s a great step,” the 65-year-old online safety campaigner told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “And in my opinion, it’s the greatest time in our country’s history,” he added, referring to the pending legal reform.

The engine for a flagship new small Japanese rocket burst into flames Tuesday during a combustion test, but there was no injury or damage to the outside, officials said. The second failure in a row raises concern about the progress of the Epsilon S rocket, whose debut is expected for next year. The test was conducted inside of the restricted area at Japan's Tanegashima Space Center in southwestern Japan, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is investigating, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters. The fire was followed by an explosion and plumes of white smoke. Tuesday's failure comes just over a year after the explosion last year of the same Epsilon S engine during a test, according to JAXA. Last year's explosion was related to damage to the ignition systems of the engine and JAXA has since taken the necessary steps, the agency has said. “Development of flagship rockets such as Epsilon S is extremely important from the perspective of ensuring autonomy of Japan's space development,” Hayashi told reporters. “JAXA will thoroughly investigate and take steps.” The Epsilon S rocket is meant to improve Japan's position in the growing satellite launch market and its debut flight was slated for early next year. Japan's larger H3 rocket, failed in its debut launch in February 2023 but has since made three consecutive successful flights, most recently earlier in November.