E.P.A. Delays Required Cleanups of Toxic Coal Ash Landfills

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pushing back deadlines for cleaning up toxic coal ash landfills, a move that could leave communities near these sites exposed to harmful pollutants for longer. Coal ash, a byproduct of burning coal, contains dangerous heavy metals like arsenic and lead, which can seep into groundwater and pose serious health risks. The delay has sparked criticism from environmental groups, who argue it prioritizes industry convenience over public safety.

Editor’s Note: Coal ash is nasty stuff—linked to cancer, neurological damage, and other serious health problems—and many of these landfills are poorly contained. The EPA’s decision to slow-walk cleanups means nearby residents, often in low-income or marginalized communities, will keep living with these risks. It’s a classic case of bureaucracy favoring industry timelines over urgent public health needs, and it’s drawing fire from advocates who say the government isn’t moving fast enough to protect people.

Japan was all set to tap into a $26 billion underwater treasure trove of cobalt and nickel near Minami-Tori-shima—key metals for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. But now, a breakthrough in battery tech might make that whole plan obsolete. Scientists have created a new type of battery cathode using cheap, abundant materials (disordered rock-salt particles) that don’t rely on these rare metals. If this innovation takes off, Japan’s deep-sea mining project could end up being a costly relic before it even gets started.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about Japan losing out on a potential payday—it’s a sign of how fast clean energy tech is evolving. Mining the ocean floor has huge environmental risks, so if we can skip it altogether with better batteries, that’s a win for sustainability. But it also shows how shaky the economics of resource extraction can be when science moves faster than digging machines.

The $1.5 billion NISAR mission, a major collaboration between NASA and India’s ISRO, is gearing up for its final countdown. Slated for a late July launch from Sriharikota, this advanced Earth-observing satellite will map our planet in unprecedented detail, tracking shifts in land and ice with its dual-frequency radar system. It’s a big moment for space science—and international teamwork.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another satellite launch. NISAR represents cutting-edge tech and rare global cooperation, with the U.S. and India pooling expertise to study climate change, natural disasters, and more. For science buffs, it’s a leap forward in understanding Earth’s dynamics. For everyone else? Proof that even rival nations can align for something bigger.

Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla (affectionately nicknamed "Shux") is back on Earth after his stint on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. He’s currently in Houston, going through a week-long rehab program to readjust to gravity and restore his health. The good news? Early checkups show no red flags—just the usual post-space recovery grind. His mission wasn’t just a personal milestone; it helped advance over 60 scientific experiments and strengthened global space collaboration.

Editor’s Note: Space missions take a toll on the body—muscles weaken, bones lose density, and even the immune system gets wonky. Shux’s smooth return and recovery are a win, not just for him but for India’s growing role in space. Plus, the science from his mission could ripple into breakthroughs down here on Earth. It’s a reminder that space isn’t just about rockets; it’s about people pushing limits and coming home safely.

Scientists are about to melt a rare 1.5 million-year-old ice core stored in -23°C freezers—a frozen time capsule that could completely reshape our understanding of Earth's ancient climate. The BBC got an exclusive look at these icy archives, which might reveal secrets about how the planet responded to extreme changes in the past, helping us prepare for the future.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just old ice—it’s a missing puzzle piece from Earth’s history. By studying it, researchers could uncover how climate systems behaved during ancient warming periods, giving us crucial clues about what to expect as global temperatures rise today. It’s like cracking open a prehistoric diary, and the entries might just save us.