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FDA identifies potential culprit in cyclosporiasis outbreak as illness spreads nationwide

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FDA identifies potential culprit in cyclosporiasis outbreak as illness spreads nationwide




FDA identifies potential culprit in cyclosporiasis outbreak as illness spreads nationwide – CBS News
















































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Authorities have traced the cyclosporiasis outbreak to Mexican-grown lettuce delivered to Taco Bell by Taylor Farms. Jonathan Vigliotti reports.



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Trump threatens new Canada tariffs over wildfire smoke in US cities

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Trump threatens new Canada tariffs over wildfire smoke in US cities


Some residents in northern Ontario were forced to evacuate due to the ongoing fires. One First Nations chief reported her community was “burnt to ashes”.

Fires are also burning on the country’s west coast, where more than 59 active fires in British Columbia were reported on Friday. The British Columbia Wildfire Service said that 39 of those fires started in the last 24 hours and more than half (31 fires) are out of control, prompting firefighters to use more aggressive means to control them.

A large cluster of fires affecting northwestern areas of Ontario are responsible for sending thick plumes of smoke and poor air quality across the region and into the US.

On Thursday, thick haze of smoke blocked views across New York City, including the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Likewise, national monuments across Washington DC were obstructed by the hazy conditions.

Officials have stressed for people to stay indoors, some areas even passing out free masks, due to the poor health impacts of inhaling the fumes.

It’s led to outdoor activities being cancelled across the northern parts of the US, from Chicago and Detroit to parts of Pennsylvania and New England. Summertime camps were brought indoors, concerts were rescheduled – and at least one beach was shuttered along a popular lake.

Poor air quality also affected air travel in some areas where low-visibility conditions at airports caused flight delays.

The inclement weather has also sparked concerns around Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at MetLife Stadium – an open-air venue – in New Jersey, where Trump is due to attend.

White House officials – including Andrew Giuliani, the head of the White House’s World Cup task force – is holding informal meetings with Fifa officials and others monitoring the wildfires, but no larger, formal meeting has so far been planned.

Forecasters believe that rains in the area over the weekend will improve conditions before the two teams take the pitch at 1500e (2000 BST).

In addition to the hazardous smoke extending across to the US, wildfires in northern Ontario have forced dozens from local First Nations communities to evacuate, with videos showing some fleeing the remote area by boat.

Members of the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation in the northern part of the province say they are “distraught” after fires tore through the community with very little warning.

Matthew Hoppe, incident commander for the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation, told the BBC that his community was devastated by the wildfires in northern Ontario.

Community members had to “self-evacuate” via small boats on Monday afternoon with the fire rapidly approaching, Hoppe said, adding that there were no deaths or direct injuries, he says, but the community has been “completely levelled”.

Namaygoosisagagun First Nation Chief Helen Paavola told local news outlet CityNews in an interview that an aerial flyover showed that her community has been “burnt to ashes”.

Ford said a total of 10 communities have had to evacuate, with many now seeking refuge in southern Ontario cities.

“It’s a miracle that no one lost their lives,” the premier said.

With additional reporting by Katie Williams and Nardine Saad



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Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak

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Taylor Farms pulls iceberg lettuce linked to cyclosporiasis outbreak


Taylor Farms on Friday said it is “voluntarily removing” iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico after it was linked to one of the largest outbreaks of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. in recent years. 

“While the FDA traceback is indicating a specific independent farm, which represents less than 1% of the U.S.’s iceberg lettuce supply, as the potential source of the outbreak, we have removed all iceberg lettuce from the region indefinitely,” the company said in a statement.

Taylor Farms said none of its branded salads or kits contain iceberg lettuce or are associated with this outbreak.

On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified lettuce supplied to select Taco Bell restaurants as a source of the multistate outbreak, more than a month after cases first began to appear.

A source familiar with the investigation told CBS News on Thursday that the supplier was Salinas, California-based Taylor Farms. The iceberg lettuce was distributed to Taco Bell restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia, according to the CDC.

The Department of Health and Human Services said the investigation is continuing. 

“The investigation remains active, and additional states, restaurants, retailers, or products may be identified as more information becomes available,” said Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for HHS.

Taco bell removes lettuce

Taco Bell told CBS News in a statement Friday afternoon that it had already removed the potentially contaminated lettuce it received from Taylor Farms from restaurants in select states “out of an abundance of caution.” 

“While no official advisory has been issued, we believe public health is a shared responsibility among restaurants, their suppliers, and authorities, and we are proud to have consistently acted quickly and proactively to protect our guests,” a spokesperson for Taco Bell Corp. said. “Taco Bell has taken precautionary action, and we encourage all relevant restaurants, retailers, and foodservice operators to do the same.”

Data shows that sales at the fast food chain have taken a hit amid the outbreak. According to Consumer Edge, which compiles spending data based on credit and debit transactions, year-over-year sales growth at Taco Bell was 4.2% in the week ending July 11, the slowest rate since April.

“Our data still shows positive year-over-year sales growth for Taco Bell, but that growth has slowed very recently,” Michael Gunther, senior vice president of research and market intelligence at Consumer Edge, told CBS News in an email. 

Concerns about the outbreak could be the cause of the slower growth, he added.

The outbreak could also be dampening foot traffic at Taco Bell and other fast-food chains with lettuce-heavy menus, separate data from software company Placer.ai shows. 

“While we only have a few days of data to work with, cyclospora headlines and product removals at some QSR [quick service restaurant] chains appear to be weighing modestly on visitation,” the analytical team for Placerai said in an email.

Scope of the outbreak

The outbreak, first reported in May, has spread to 34 states, sickening at least 1,644 people, according to the CDC. However, the CDC’s tally lags behind state health departments, which have reported much larger numbers of cases. For instance, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported more than 5,000 confirmed cases as of Friday.

No deaths have been reported. 

“As a family-owned company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the Americans whose trust in the safety of fresh produce has been shaken,” Taylor Farms said in its statement Friday.

“We are committed to doing everything in our power to address this issue, support the ongoing investigation, and help restore trust,” the company added.

What is cyclosporiasis?

The food- and water-borne illness cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite, which causes long-lasting, watery and sometimes explosive diarrhea, according to public health experts. 

Outbreaks typically occur in the late spring and summer, and have historically been linked to bagged salads, cilantro, basil, raspberries, snow peas and green onions. 

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that the investigation is continuing and other sources could still be identified.



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World Cup 2026: Wayne Rooney thinks England should stick with Thomas Tuchel

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World Cup 2026: Wayne Rooney thinks England should stick with Thomas Tuchel


Wayne Rooney thinks the Football Association should stick with Thomas Tuchel as England head coach unless a move for Pep Guardiola is possible.

Tuchel has retained the backing of the FA after England’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final.

The German was criticised for his substitutions as England squandered a 1-0 lead late on, but says he intends to stay to lead the Three Lions into Euro 2028.

Despite backing Tuchel to remain as England head coach after the World Cup heartbreak, ex-England captain Rooney thinks the FA should “go and get” former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola if he is available.

“I don’t see anyone else out there at the minute, unless you go and get Pep Guardiola. If Pep is available, then maybe you go and get him,” Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show.

“I think he is a top-class manager and what the top managers do, they learn from the mistakes and they improve and get better.

“If we sack him, what managers are we going to bring in? And I don’t think there’s anyone out there who’s as good as Thomas Tuchel, unless Guardiola.

“But the big thing for me is he’s not experienced at World Cups. We had the exact same with [Fabio] Capello.

“The World Cup is different and you need to feel that environment and now he’s felt it.”

Tuchel signed a two-year contract extension in February, having been appointed in January 2025 on an 18-month mission to win the World Cup.

The FA approached Guardiola before appointing Tuchel, with reports there was a verbal agreement in place., external

Rooney shared his views on the decision to give Tuchel a new contract: “I think the FA told us that Thomas Tuchel was coming in to win the World Cup and take us to the next level.

“It’s a little bit strange if its priority was to win the World Cup, but then you get a two-year contract before you actually go to the World Cup. That’s a bit strange.”



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FOX Weather correspondent Bob Van Dillen weighs in on effect of Canadian wildfires on World Cup final

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FOX Weather correspondent Bob Van Dillen weighs in on effect of Canadian wildfires on World Cup final


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Anyone living in the northeastern portion of the United States has no doubt witnessed the borderline apocalyptic scene unfolding in the sky.

The smoke from the wildfires that are currently ravaging Canada has made its way south of the border to many American cities, affecting the air quality and causing health problems for citizens in the process.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds the Manhattan skyline in Brooklyn, New York, on Thursday, July 16, 2026. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The question on everyone’s mind, though, is whether or not the FIFA World Cup final will even be played in the shadow of the Canadian wildfire smoke.

IF AIR QUALITY IS POOR, ARGENTINA COULD BE HURT BY SPAIN’S STYLE IN WORLD CUP FINAL, FOX ANALYST SAYS

With the championship game taking place in East Rutherford, New Jersey, it would mean the players and fans would be in the direct path of the smoke.

FOX Weather anchor Bob Van Dillen broke down what effect the smoke would potentially have on the game as well as how we got here.

“We had all these fires bust out in Canada on Monday afternoon and that smoke instantly got lifted into the atmosphere,” Van Dillen explained. “Winds were out of the northwest and it dragged it right through the Great Lakes, and now it’s setting up shop across the Mid Atlantic, New York City… and it has been a nuisance if not hazardous for the last few days.”

The New York/New Jersey Stadium stands in East Rutherford.

The New York/New Jersey Stadium is pictured in East Rutherford, N.J., two days before the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 17, 2026. (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking of the hazards that the smoke represents, Van Dillen broke it down in terms of Air Quality Index, or AQI.

As he explains, 0-100 represents normal, healthy conditions, while anything above 101 is potentially hazardous and gets more dangerous as the number increases.

“Once you get to about 150 with that AQI, everybody starts to feel it and you have to start taking this thing a little bit slow when you get outside,” Van Dillen said. “Yesterday, for instance, East Rutherford on Thursday, topped out at 245… That’s when you’re not supposed to be out.”

AIR QUALITY CONCERNS FROM CANADIAN WILDFIRES FORCE RESCHEDULING OF TWO PROFESSIONAL SPORTS GAMES

That’s a staggering number, though not even close to the ceiling when you consider places like Detroit experienced their worst AQI numbers since weather services started tracking air quality back in 2000.

The Motor City peaked with an AQI of over 600 on Thursday.

Van Dillen put things into context when he explained what the conditions would look like for the players on the field being subjected to the smoke.

“If they had played it yesterday, it would be the equivalent of playing that game back and forth, 90 minutes, smoking two cigarettes.”

While Van Dillen’s assessment is spot on, he may have even been underselling things with regard to the length of the game.

In the past 20 years, four of the last five World Cup finals have gone to extra time or penalties, meaning this Sunday’s final has a good chance of being 30 minutes longer than usual.

Spanish national team players train at a facility in East Hanover, New Jersey.

Spain trained at the Gotham Training Facility in East Hanover, New Jersey, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina on July 16, 2026. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro did light individual stretching during the open portion of training instead of the team’s passing drills. Hazy skies from Canadian wildfires reduced air quality and visibility across the New York metropolitan area. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

When it comes to the game that is supposed to be played in northern New Jersey on Sunday, Van Dillen gave an optimistic outlook.

“If the game was going to be played on Thursday… I would say probably don’t play it,” Van Dillen said. “But, on Saturday, we’ve got a cold front eventually that’s going to swing through, and by the evening hours of Saturday, that’s going to push the biggest plume of smoke offshore.”

Van Dillen explained that Sunday may look a little hazy, but nothing compared to what New Yorkers and New Jerseyans have been experiencing this week.

“I think we’ve got a nice little window for your Sunday afternoon,” Van Dillen opined. “I think it’s going to be okay, the AQI is forecasted to be 75, so that is still in a good range.”

Fox News and Outkick reached out to FIFA to inquire if they had contingency plans in place should the conditions dictate a postponement, but no response has been given.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the White House have been in talks about Sunday’s World Cup final in New Jersey as the tri-state area continues to deal with poor air quality caused by wildfires raging in Canada, sources confirmed to Fox News Digital on Friday.

The discussions were characterized as informal as they continue to monitor the wildfire situation. The sources added that there were no contingency plans in place to make any changes to the game because of the weather.

Spain players stretch during a training session in East Hanover, New Jersey.

Spain’s national team trains at the Gotham Training Facility in East Hanover, New Jersey, on July 16, 2026, ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina. Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro took part in light individual stretching during the open portion of training instead of the team’s passing drills. Spain trained under hazy skies as smoke from ongoing Canadian wildfires reduced air quality and visibility across the New York metropolitan area ahead of Sunday’s final at New York New Jersey Stadium. Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images (Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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It’s also worth noting that the Spanish national team has been practicing in northern New Jersey this week leading up to the game, while the Argentine side stayed in Atlanta.

Whether that is advantageous for either team remains to be seen, but hopefully neither the players nor the fans have to find out.



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Canada wildfire smoke brings unhealthy air quality to over a dozen states in Midwest, Northeast: Latest

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Canada wildfire smoke brings unhealthy air quality to over a dozen states in Midwest, Northeast: Latest


Dangerous smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires has seeped down to the U.S., impacting over 100 million Americans across more than a dozen states.

Air quality alerts on Friday stretch from the Midwest to the Great Lakes to the Northeast to the Mid-Atlantic, impacting major cities including Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.

Wildfire smoke from Canada shrouds the sun as it rises behind the Chrysler Building in New York City, July 17, 2026.

Gary Hershorn/ABC News

Wildfire smoke from Canada shrouds the sun as it rises behind the Empire State Building in New York City, and geese in a park in Hoboken, New Jersey, July 17, 2026.

Gary Hershorn/ABC News

Canada has nearly 900 wildfires burning, with over 100 categorized as out of control. Almost 200 of the fires are in Ontario.

Heavy rain by the Minnesota/Canada border on Friday may help with some fires, but the storms could also bring strong winds and lightning, which can spark new fires and create more erratic fire activity.

Passing showers and thunderstorms are also possible in Ontario Friday, but that rain won’t be enough to put the wildfires out, and the winds may make conditions worse and lightning could spark new wildfires. There are more chances for rain over Ontario on Saturday and again on Tuesday. 

In the U.S., the smoke Friday spans from Duluth, Minnesota, to Richmond, Virginia, impacting states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

A person crosses the street as smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets Washington, July 17, 2026.

Kylie Cooper/Reuters

Philadelphia issued a “Code Purple Air Quality Emergency Day” Friday.

“Everyone may experience negative health effects from particulate matter in the air,” Philadelphia officials warned. “Members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.”

The skyline of Philadelphia is shrouded by smoke from wildfires in Canada, July 17, 2026.

WPVI

The worst air quality Friday afternoon is in northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

In Milwaukee, where the air is in the hazardous category, the Milwaukee Brewers are allowing ticket holders to exchange tickets for Friday night’s game for another regular season home game. 

The air is expected to improve on Saturday in the Ohio Valley, Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic, when rain moves in. But parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes will continue to see dangerous air quality.

The sun is obscured by wildfire smoke as people run in front of the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, July 17, 2026, on the National Mall in Washington.

Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo

Smoke is probable over New York City on Sunday when Spain plays Argentina in the FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, though it is still too early to know exactly where the smoke will be. Sources familiar with the situation told ABC News that “all involved authorities are monitoring.”

Wildfire smoke from Canada shrouds the sun as it rises behind the skyline of midtown Manhattan and, the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building in New York City, July 17, 2026.

Gary Hershorn/ABC News

Smoke from wildfires in Canada shrouds midtown Manhattan and the Chrysler Building as a man looks out from the 86th-floor observation deck of the Empire State Building, July 16, 2026, in New York City.

Gary Hershorn/ABC News

Smoke contains fine particles that can travel deep into the lungs. For those who need to work outdoors, are more sensitive to smoke or are in a high-risk group, Kai Chen, an associate professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, told ABC News that the best type of mask to wear is an N95, which is designed to filter at least 95% of airborne particles.

Haze from Canadian wildfires blankets the National Mall in Washington, July 17, 2026.

Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said free KN95 masks are available at hundreds of locations.

Click here to read more on how to stay safe.

ABC News’ Michelle Simmons contributed to this report.



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Disney World guest with heart condition dies of cardiac emergency after iconic ride

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Disney World guest with heart condition dies of cardiac emergency after iconic ride


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Florida officials recently revealed that a Disney World guest died after experiencing a cardiac emergency on a fan-favorite ride.

The visitor, a 54-year-old man, suffered a heart-related emergency on the “It’s a Small World” ride in the Fantasyland section of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on April 2, according to the state’s latest quarterly report on theme park injuries and illnesses.

The man was taken to a hospital where he later died, FOX 35 Orlando reported.

DISNEY WORLD GUESTS SHAKEN AS RARE EARTHQUAKE NEAR CUBA JOLTS FLORIDA

The guest, who has not been identified, had a pre-existing condition, the report said.

The iconic ride opened at Magic Kingdom in 1971 and has enjoyed “immense popularity” since, according to Disney World’s website. Fox News Digital reached out to Walt Disney World Resort for comment.

Florida officials reported that a Disney World guest died after experiencing a cardiac emergency while riding “It’s a Small World” at Magic Kingdom. The man had a pre-existing heart condition.  (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The park describes the ride as a “whimsical boat ride past a jubilant chorus of children from around the globe.”

SIX FLAGS GUESTS STRANDED 245 FEET IN AIR AFTER POWER OUTAGE FORCES COASTER EVACUATION

“Cruise along the Seven Seaways Waterway on a gentle 10-minute journey through all 7 continents,” the site says.

Small World ride dolls on display

The iconic “It’s a Small World” attraction has welcomed guests at Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971. (Dewayne Bevil/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The recent report listed five other medical incidents at Disney World this spring.

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It said a 75-year-old woman hit her head while leaving Space Mountain in May, while another woman hit her head on the Snow Stormers water slide in April.

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In addition, a 44-year-old man suffered back pain while riding Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in May, FOX 35 reported.

View of tourists walking around Magic Kingdom at Disney World

The state report identified the Disney World case as one of several medical incidents during the reporting period. (Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

After riding “Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind” the same month, a 74-year-old man with a pre-existing condition reportedly experienced nausea and vomiting, the report added.

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Fatal incidents at U.S. theme parks are rare, though deaths from ride accidents and medical emergencies have been reported in the past.



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Why women should speak openly about money

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Why women should speak openly about money



Emma joins Nuala McGovern to discuss her book Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work and Life.



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7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported

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7.3 earthquake hits Mexico-Guatemala border with no immediate damage reported


TAPACHULA, México — A strong earthquake struck the southern Mexican Pacific coast on Friday, right on the border with Guatemala, and was felt from Mexico City to El Salvador. Authorities have not immediately reported any severe damage or casualties in any country.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.3 with the epicenter 48 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Aquiles Serdan, near the coast of Chiapas and at a depth of 15 kilometers (9 miles). It was preceded by a smaller quake with an epicenter a bit farther out in the ocean.

There were at least five aftershocks between magnitude 5.1 and 6, according to USGS.

In Tapachula, the main city on Mexico’s southern border, the tremor began mildly but gradually intensified.

“We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard,” Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative employee at a public hospital in the city, explained to The Associated Press.

In Guatemala City, the earthquake frightened residents because of how long it lasted. Many people poured into the streets in the middle of rush hour as the workday was beginning and several buildings were evacuated.

Guatemala’s National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED) reported no immediate damage. Social media users posted videos of some landslides, especially on roads heading west.

The Ministry of Education suspended in-person classes in the departments of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez and Retalhuleu, near the quake’s epicenter.

In the Mexican capital, where buildings in certain areas creaked and shook, the earthquake alert did not sound because, the government said, “the energy radiated by the earthquake during the first few seconds did not exceed the activation thresholds.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that preliminary reports showed no damage. The navy recommended staying away from beaches for six hours because of tsunami risk.

The Meteorological Service of Chiapas alerted that there could be tsunami waves up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) off the coast of Mexico and Guatemala.

In the town of Suchiate, located along the river that separates Mexico from Guatemala, coastal areas are being monitored for tsunami risk, according to Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo.

The region is prone to earthquakes, many that can be deadly. Earlier this year, a strong earthquake rattled southern and central Mexico, killing two. Hundreds in Mexico City were killed in a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in 2017.

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Sonia Pérez D. contributed from Guatemala City. María Verza contributed from Mexico City.



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Far above the Earth, NASA’s Apollo lunar lander put astronauts on the moon

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Far above the Earth, NASA’s Apollo lunar lander put astronauts on the moon


CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — America’s most daring, extraordinary feat — landing astronauts on the moon — remains the pinnacle of achievement by anyone anywhere. Ever.

And the lunar lander — a groundbreaking piece of America — is up there still, far away.

NASA put 12 men on the lunar surface more than half a century ago, beginning with Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The two became the first humans to explore another world when their lander, bearing the patriotic name Eagle, settled onto the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. “The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong radioed as a spellbound Earth erupted in cheers and tears.

Just 6½ hours later came the most momentous and memorable line of all. Armstrong descended the ladder and stepped onto the gray, gritty dust: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

At 23 feet (7 meters), the Apollo lunar module stood a little taller than a giraffe and looked just as ungainly. It had two sections: a lower descent stage with four legs and an upper stage that housed the crew. The descent stage got the moonwalkers to the lunar surface and remained behind as the men blasted back into lunar orbit.

All six descent stages will be there for perpetuity, clumped around the equator on the moon’s near side.

NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other countries’ satellites around the moon have photographed them. Resembling whitish splotches from orbit, the descent stages pinpoint the touchdown sites not only of Eagle but Intrepid, Antares, Falcon, Orion and Challenger. Its moon landing nixed, Apollo 13’s lunar module Aquarius was turned into a lifeboat that got its crew of three safely home. The ascent stages are scattered all over the moon — smashed to bits, no longer needed once the moonwalkers were back inside the command module. Some speculate, however, that Apollo 11’s ascent stage might still be orbiting.

For NASA’s new Artemis program, private businesses are handling lunar lander details and operations. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin are scrambling to get their landers ready for a docking test in low-Earth orbit with a NASA crew capsule next year. If Artemis III’s docking rehearsal goes well, NASA could launch its first moon landing with astronauts since Apollo as early as 2028. SpaceX’s Starship is so tall that moonwalkers will need a 10-floor elevator to descend to the lunar surface. The Apollo astronauts used a nine-rung ladder.

On that long-ago day, President Richard Nixon said in a phone call to Armstrong and Aldrin as the pair stood alongside the U.S. flag they had just planted 240,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from home. Said Nixon: “For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one.”

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Part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. For more American objects, click here. For more stories on the anniversary, click here. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.



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