LND topic: western-ecuador page 1

The Missouri Botanical Garden wasn’t always a global leader in plant science. When Peter Raven took over in 1971, it was just a pretty garden with a few researchers. But Raven saw something bigger: plants weren’t just decorations—they were the foundation of life. Two-thirds of Earth’s species live i

politics

Hungary’s New Leader Seeks to Fix Ties With Ukraine Over Minority Issues

Hungary’s freshly elected prime minister, Péter Magyar, wants to sit down with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in western Ukraine to talk about the rights of ethnic Hungarians living there. Magyar, who just took office after beating Viktor Orbán’s 16-year rule, isn’t as hostile to Ukraine as

sports

Luka Doncic's return could change the Lakers' playoff fate

The Los Angeles Lakers face a crucial Game 5 against Houston Rockets with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. After blowing a 3-0 lead, they now need to win twice to avoid an unprecedented comeback. Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a hamstring injury since early April, but new movement drills

politics

Congo Plans New Mining Security Force, But Who Pays?

Congo is moving forward with a plan to create a large new security force just to guard its mines. The country says it will spend $100 million on this force, which could grow to over 20, 000 soldiers by 2028. Officials claim the U. S. and United Arab Emirates are involved in setting this up, but the

A Cop Who Chases Storms in His Free Time

Most people know police officers for traffic stops and patrol work, but one deputy in Illinois does double duty as a weather watcher. Sean Berry has spent years tracking storms while keeping the peace, a hobby that started when he was just a kid. He grew up near Plainfield, where an awful tornado in

education

Grad Workers Stand Up for Fair Pay at UIC

The University of Illinois Chicago is seeing a wave of protest as about two thousand graduate students, who help teach and research, demand better wages. These workers have been negotiating with school leaders for a year but could not agree on a new contract, so they began striking last Monday.

Rain Brings Hopeful Relief to Dry New Jersey

New Jersey’s long‑dry spell may finally get a break. Late Wednesday, rain will roll in from the west and linger into Thursday night. The National Weather Service says showers could bring between a quarter inch and three‑quarters of an inch of water, though stronger bursts might produce more. The

Rainy Days Ahead: Maryland’s Wet Weather Update

The day starts with a quiet sunny spell, but clouds quickly cover the sky and bring rain to Maryland on Tuesday. Temperatures will dip into the low‑to‑mid 60s, and occasional showers are expected. A cold front is moving eastward overnight, setting the stage for more rain and possible storms on Wedne

Storm Alert for Alabama: Stay Ready Tonight