Afghanistan’s Gold Rush Comes at a Heavy Environmental Cost

BADAKHSHAN: A growing gold-mining boom in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province is transforming remote mountain communities, but residents say the rapid expansion of mining is destroying farmland, polluting water sources and damaging the environment. Dozens of excavators now operate around the clock in the Shiwa area, roughly 50 kilometres northeast of provincial capital Faizabad. Thousands of […]

Cyclospora Outbreak Keeps Shoppers Wary of Lettuce Despite Health Officials’ Clearance

MICHIGAN: Health officials in Michigan have cleared consumers to resume buying lettuce after a major cyclospora outbreak, but concerns over food safety continue to affect shoppers, grocery stores and restaurants across the United States. The outbreak, which has spread across 15 states, has had its biggest impact in Michigan. A US Food and Drug Administration […]