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TOKYO -- Final preparations for the launch from Japan of the United Arab Emirates' first Mars mission were underway Monday, but there was a chance of a delay because of bad weather, a Japanese rocket provider said. Source

TALEK, KENYA -- In the majestic plains of the Maasai Mara, the coronavirus pandemic spells economic disaster for locals who earn a living from tourists coming to see Kenya's abundant wildlife. Even before the virus arrived in Kenya mid-March, tourism revenues had plummeted, with cancellations coming in from crucial markets such as China, Europe and the United States. Source

A rehabilitation centre for black bears is warning Manitobans to put away their bird feeders after three cubs were orphaned when their mother tried to get into a house in Pinawa and was shot by the homeowner. Two of the three cubs were brought in to Black Bear Rescue Manitoba on Friday and the third is still missing. Source

JERUSALEM -- An Israeli court has rejected a request to strip the controversial Israeli spyware firm NSO Group of its export license over the suspected use of the company's technology in targeting journalists and dissidents worldwide. Source

On this particular overcast day, Sean Blaney, executive director and senior scientist with the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, left the house at 5:00 am, a little later than he would have liked, to perform his field work at the Alward Brook Bog. Source

Reports of online sexual exploitation of Canadian children have soared during the COVID-19 pandemic as abusers take advantage of the fact that kids are spending more time online. Stephen Sauer, director of Cybertip.ca, said his organization saw an 81 per cent spike over April, May and June in reports from youth who had been sexually exploited, and reports of people trying to sexually abuse children. Source

COX'S BAZAR, BANGLADESH -- At least 20 turtles were dead and dozens more were rescued Sunday after being entangled in plastic waste washed ashore on one of the world's longest beaches in Bangladesh, officials and conservationists said. Source

Alberta researchers are using hundreds of audio recording devices as they seek to understand why bird populations are declining. A University of Alberta professor says a study published last year that suggested North America had lost billions of birds ruffled a lot of feathers in the scientific community. Source

A young version of a now familiar face for British Columbians is fronting a fundraising campaign for Vancouver's Science World, which is financially reeling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A school photo of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Source

An anonymous buyer bid a record US$114,000 for a rare, unopened copy of the classic video game Super Mario Bros. The game cartridge was originally released in 1985 for the popular Nintendo Entertainment System console, according to Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, which ran Friday's auction. Source