Syrians react as the bodies of children are pulled from the rubble of a budling following government forces air strikes in the rebel held neighborhood of Al-Shaar in Aleppo on Sept. 27, 2016. (Photo: Karam Al-Masri, AFP/Getty Images)
Syrians post what may be their final thoughts on social media
Desperate Syrians trapped in besieged eastern Aleppo see death on their doorstep and describe what may be their final moments in social media posts and phone calls as Syrian government troops moved in to reclaim the last parts of the city held by rebel forces. "I can't see what is happening in street, but I hear bombs approaching," Salah Al-Ashkar, a graduate of the University of Aleppo in finance and banking, told USA TODAY. He said Syrian troops were executing civilians, including women and children, a claim others have reported to the United Nations and activist groups. Abdulla Saleem, 39, a doctor living in the bombed out remains of a building, said via WhatsApp, "They are killing everyone. ... My friends are doctors, who were providing the only possible medical care to the injured. Now they are butchered. Everyone is dying. I will soon die, too." Read their heartbreaking messages.
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As government forces reclaim the last portions of Aleppo held by rebel forces, Syrian civilians describe what may be their final moments in social media posts and telephone calls. USA TODAY
#MustRead for anyone who says they care about rural America
Four million Americans — and maybe you — could be drinking toxic water and never know, a USA TODAY Network investigation found. That's because small utilities, which serve less populated and/or poorer areas, are held to lower standards on testing and treatment for lead contamination than the rest of the country. One example: Ranger, Texas, with a population of 2,500 and a health crisis that has experts calling it "tiny Flint." Adam Walton, a toddler who should be speaking dozens of words, says only "mama," "dada" and "no." The water he's been drinking and bathing in at home has lead levels of 418 parts per billion. The federal limit is 15. One expert sums it up: “The risk of permanent harm here is horrifying. These are America’s children." Finding out if there's lead in your drinking water isn't easy, but here are four tips.
Adam Walton, 2, has high levels of lead in his blood. At an age when other kids use dozens of words, Adam's vocabulary includes just three: “mama,” “dada” and “no.” (Photo: Laura Ungar, USA TODAY)
Bill Cosby makes a joke. No one is laughing.
Bill Cosby had a hearing Tuesday in his sexual assault case. On his way into court, he greeted security officers with the quip, “Don’t tase me, bro." No one in the courtroom was laughing. In fact, the lawyers were screaming at each other. Cosby has been accused of drugging and molesting 60 women over five decades, but only one case has led to criminal charges. This spring, the comedian will go on trial for alleged sexual assault against Andrea Constand, and this week's hearing will determine whether 13 of his accusers can testify at his trial. Things got heated when the district attorney and a Cosby lawyer began shouting over the defense team’s practice of publicizing the names of Cosby's accusers, which the district attorney suggested was done to intimidate the women. Here’s the latest on the contentious hearing.
Bill Cosby laughs as he returns to court Tuesday in Norristown, Penn., for a hearing in his sexual assault trial. (Photo: David Maialetti, Philadelphia Inquirer)
Mystery of a killer (fog) solved
London came to a hault in December 1952 when killer fog (yes, killer fog) stopped the British capital in its tracks. Some Londoners reported being unable to see their feet. Transportation was canceled. Birds flew into buildings. Theives had a field day. Experts blame the Great Smog for 12,000 deaths and 150,000 hospitalizations. So what's the news? Scientists now know what caused the fog: It has to do with how sulfer dioxide was turned into sulfuric acid. Scary to think that similar conditions often occur in present-day China.
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It had been somewhat of a mystery why a fog in London in 1952 left more than 4,000 people dead. A team of scientists now believe they have solved the mystery of the exact cause and nature of the fog. Buzz60
Russia may have a pal at the head of State
A big question has been who President-elect Donald Trump will nominate to be his secretary of State. Mitt Romney? Rudy Giuliani? David Petraeus? It was none of the above. Trump went outside the government sphere and tapped ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson. Critics, including some Republicans, are wary of Tillerson’s close ties to Russia — particularly amid allegations that country to sway the election — which could mean a rocky confirmation for the oil executive. Tillerson may not be the only Cabinet pick with a tough confirmation fight ahead. Several Trump nominees have been passionate opponents of the very agencies they would lead, including former Texas governor Rick Perry, who is reported to be Trump’s choice to head the Energy Department. That's one of the three departments Perry said he wanted to eliminate during the 2012 campaign. (Remember his “oops” moment?)
This year's Arctic report card isn't going on the fridge
This is what a big fat "F" looks like. The annual Arctic Report Card shows that unprecedented, record-breaking warmth in the Arctic this year triggered declines in sea ice, snow, the Greenland ice sheet and a remarkable delay in the annual freeze of sea ice in the fall. As in, the Arctic is failing at its job of helping maintain the global climate system. Great. In other climate news, a Polar Vortex has brought some unspeakably cold air to much of the central and eastern U.S. Hypothermia is a concern.
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New research suggests polar bear numbers are dwindling as the Arctic sea ice melts, and their population could drop by a third over the next 35 years. Sean Dowling (@seandowlingtv) has more. Buzz60
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