Man Killed By Shark Off New Zealand Beach
by Scott Neuman
In a rare incident, a 12- to 14-foot great white shark fatally mauled a swimmer off a western New Zealand beach.
Nature
The Two-Way posts about Nature
Antarctic Penguin Turns Up In New Zealand; Vets Say Condition 'Touch And Go'
by Scott Neuman
The Royal penguin that washed up on a beach in New Zealand is the second from Antarctica to arrive there in as many years.
Florida's Great Python Challenge Is Over; Not Many Are Caught
The month-long hunt ends with just 68 pythons caught, while humorist Dave Barry, in an 'unmasculine' snake encounter, defends himself with barbeque tongs.
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Agreed, Baby Pandas Are Cute. But Why?
by Avie Schneider
Xiao Liwu made his public debut Thursday at the San Diego Zoo. As fans crowded around the exhibit, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 5-month-old giant panda cub, we asked the question that perhaps needs no asking. Scientists offer some clues.
Sweden Wants Your Trash
by Sophia Jones
Move over Abba, Sweden has found new fame. The small Nordic country is breaking records — in waste. Sweden's program of generating energy from garbage is wildly successful, but recently its success has also generated a surprising issue: There is simply not enough trash.
World Rhinoceros Day Pokes At A Serious Issue
by Shula Neuman
On World Rhino Day, people across the globe celebrate the rhinoceros and raise awareness to save all five species.
To Celebrate A New Cub, Listen Again To NPR's Ode To The 'Panda Cam'
by Mark Memmott
When "butter stick" was born in 2005, NPR's Kitty Eisele was among the many who were mesmerized as the National Zoo's panda cam showed his progress. This week, another cub's been born. So panda fans such as Kitty are back at their computers to watch.
It's A Panda! Cub Is Born At National Zoo
by Mark Memmott
Officials don't know yet whether it's a male or female. The mother, Mei Xiang, gave birth to Tai Shan (a male) in 2005.
Putin Flies With Migrating Cranes, Opines About Group Sex; Seriously
by Mark Memmott
In just the past 24 hours he has mused about why group sex might be better than "one-on-one" and has been video taped flying a motorized hang glider in an attempt to lead some cranes on their migration south.
Wow! NASA Video Shows 'Mind-Bogglingly Gorgeous' Solar Eruption
by Mark Memmott
Watch as a massive flare shoots from the sun and stretches a half million miles into space. Friday's event dealt Earth's magnetic environment a "glancing blow," NASA says.
There's A 'Bear Epidemic' Out West, And It's 'About To Get Worse'
by Mark Memmott
Because of droughts, bears are having to search harder and across wider ranges to find food. That's increasingly bringing them into contact with humans. In Aspen, Colo., alone there were nearly 300 "bear calls" to police in August — a record.
Florida's Biggest Python So Far Measured 17 Feet, 7 Inches; Had 87 Eggs
by Mark Memmott
The giant was captured in Everglades National Park, where managers are struggling to control a booming population of the Southeast Asian species.
Tons Of Plastic Pellets: Hong Kong's Typhoon Cleanup Could Take Months
by Eyder Peralta
The pellets, used to make plastic products, were knocked off a ship by a powerful typhoon. The clean-up will be arduous.
Once In A Blue Moon: August Will Bring Two Full Moons
by Eyder Peralta
Tonight's full moon will be a prelude to Aug. 31's blue moon.
Iceberg Twice The Size Of Manhattan Breaks Off Glacier In Greenland
by Mark Memmott
The same glacier "calved" another huge iceberg in 2010. Greenland is changing quickly, experts warn. Melting there will put more upward pressure on sea levels.
Pot Growers Are Likely Killing Rare Creatures
by Mark Memmott
The fisher, a weasel-like animal, is already a candidate for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Now, researchers have evidence that the animals have been exposed to lethal poison used by power growers to protect their plants from animals.
Five Fatal Shark Attacks Shock Australia
by Mark Memmott
Five fatal encounters in less than a year — usually there is one a year off Australia — have raised alarms. Some wonder whether great whites should be culled.
Listen: You Can Hear The Northern Lights, Researchers Say
by Mark Memmott
There have been folktales for centuries about sounds supposedly coming from the sky when an aurora borealis is lighting up the night. Now, scientists in Finland say they've recorded the noises. What they don't know yet, is what causes them.
Sharks! Several Great Whites Spotted Off Atlantic And Pacific Beaches
Great white sharks are spotted off the coast of California and Massachusetts, triggering one beach closure.
Great Balls Of Fire - Apparent Meteor Grounds Firefighting Planes In Colorado
Firefighting planes in Colorado were grounded for 90 minutes after an apparent meteorite forced the planes to land for safety.
