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Sunday, August 23, 2026 2:41 PM ET

Times of India - US News

US - Aug 23, 2026 - In 2020, Phoenix coated 36 miles of roads to fight extreme heat; surfaces became 12°F cooler at noon, but heat exposure for pedestrians rose 5.5°F - Phoenix has implemented a reflective coating on its roads to mitigate urban heat island effects, effectively reducing asphalt temperatures during daylight hours. However, researchers observed that this treatment inadvertently intensified heat radiation exposure for pedestrians in close proximity. They concluded that incorporating shade from trees and buildings is essential for enhancing human comfort, suggesting cities explore a variety of solutions beyond just reflective coatings to address rising temperatures.

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Alaska eradicated rats from a 6,869-acre Aleutian island more than two centuries after they arrived in a shipwreck; within two years some native bird populations had increased 200% or more and missing seabirds began returning

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In 2021, Alabama students began placing discarded Christmas trees along Gulf Coast dunes to trap sand; each year about 200 students now add roughly 3,000 native plants around them

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US - Aug 23, 2026 - MAGA skids on maple syrup: US-Canada ties on a slippery slope

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In 1974, the National Park Service bought the Stewart family's 890-acre California ranch; they negotiated the right to remain and continued ranching there until 2021

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US Death Valley tragedy: French tourist dies after vehicle gets stuck in 47°C heat

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Indian-origin UC Santa Cruz student dies as car plunges from cliff into ocean, male driver escaped with minor injuries

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Good news for family-based Green Card applicants from India in Visa Bulletin September 2026, no relief for employment-based categories

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In 1927, John D Rockefeller Jr secretly used a shell company to buy over 35,000 Wyoming acres for $1.4 million; NPS says acquiring the same amount of Jackson Hole land today would cost over $1 billion

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Texas constable unplugged 3 police surveillance cameras after county ended Flock contract; then told company to 'come get your garbage'

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TikTok to pay $400 million in US child privacy settlement over alleged violations

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