Ceasefire in name only? Gulf States sound sirens (AP photo) Missile alert sirens sounded in many Middle Eastern countries early Wednesday, despite Iran and the United States saying they had reached a two-week ceasefire in the war. Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting appeared to continue across multiple fronts. In Abu Dhabi, a gas processing facility was…

Across the world, cities are confronting a common challenge. As populations grow and development intensifies, urban areas are becoming hotter, noisier and increasingly disconnected from nature. Concrete surfaces absorb heat, biodiversity declines, and green spaces often struggle to keep pace with expansion. In response, an unconventional form of afforestation pioneered in Japan is gaining global…

A San Francisco Bay Area cemetery removed a banner advertising a new Islamic section after it was draped over a 9/11 memorial, sparking community outrage. The cemetery owner stated permission was granted for signage but not for placement on the memorial. Residents expressed deep offense, with one calling the act “nutty” and disrespectful to the…

A US appeals court has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order that suspended asylum access, which was a major part of his plan to tighten migration rules at the US southern border.A three-judge panel from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that immigration laws allow people to apply for…