Kenya Slated for 100% Bean Consumption Hike to Improve Diets, Food Systems

A campaign in Africa to make beans the answer to food insecurity in areas affected by climate change will begin next week, with a focus on Kenya. A coalition of proponents will present its roadmap for increased production and consumption of beans and similar foods like lentils and peas at the Africa Food Systems Forum, … continue reading -> “Kenya Slated for 100% Bean Consumption Hike to Improve Diets, Food Systems”

Anemia Burdens Western, Central Africa

A 2023 study found that in 2021, almost 2 billion people worldwide were affected by anemia, a condition in which red blood cell concentration is lower than usual. It also found that anemia was especially prevalent in Western and Central Africa. From Nairobi, Kenya, Mohammed Yusuf reports on the scope of the problem in Africa … continue reading -> “Anemia Burdens Western, Central Africa”

Bird Flu Kills Scores of Sea Lions in Argentina

Scores of sea lions have died from bird flu in Argentina, officials said Tuesday, as an unprecedented global outbreak continues to infect mammals, raising fears it could spread more easily among humans.  Animal health authorities have recently reported dead sea lions in several locations along Argentina’s extensive Atlantic coast, from just south of the capital … continue reading -> “Bird Flu Kills Scores of Sea Lions in Argentina”

England Accelerates Vaccine Programs Because of New COVID Variant

England will bring forward the start of its autumn flu and COVID-19 vaccination programs as a precautionary step after the identification of highly mutated COVID variant BA.2.86, which has been found in Britain.  Scientists have said BA.2.86, an offshoot of the omicron variant, was unlikely to cause a devastating wave of severe disease and death, … continue reading -> “England Accelerates Vaccine Programs Because of New COVID Variant”

Last ‘Super Blue Moon’ Until 2037 Rises Tonight

Astronomy enthusiasts are in for a treat Wednesday night: a rare “super blue moon” that won’t be seen again for more than a decade.  Supermoons occur when the moon passes through its perigee — the point in its elliptical orbit that takes it closest to Earth. This makes it look about 14% bigger, compared with … continue reading -> “Last ‘Super Blue Moon’ Until 2037 Rises Tonight”

Cameroon Reports Polio after Central African State’s Largest Inoculation Since 2020

Cameroon officials say a fifth case of polio was reported in the capital, Yaounde, this week, despite the launching of a new polio vaccination campaign in the central African country and its neighbors. Health officials are increasing surveillance and encouraging parents, many of whom still resist vaccination programs, to have their children inoculated.  Cameroon’s health … continue reading -> “Cameroon Reports Polio after Central African State’s Largest Inoculation Since 2020”

Biden Targets 10 Drugs for Medicare Price Negotiations

The blood thinner Eliquis and popular diabetes treatments including Jardiance are among the first drugs that will be targeted for price negotiations in an effort to cut Medicare costs. President Joe Biden’s administration on Tuesday released a list of 10 drugs for which the federal government will take an unprecedented step: negotiating drug prices directly … continue reading -> “Biden Targets 10 Drugs for Medicare Price Negotiations”

Living Worm Discovered in Australian Patient’s Brain

An 8-centimeter worm has been found alive in the brain of a woman in Australia, and researchers say it is the first time the parasite has ever been discovered in humans. The worm was extracted from the patient’s brain during surgery in the Australian capital, Canberra, in June 2022. The extraordinary case has been documented … continue reading -> “Living Worm Discovered in Australian Patient’s Brain”

Poland Asks EU’s Top Court to Cancel Three Climate Policies

Poland has filed legal challenges attempting to annul three of the European Union’s main climate change policies, which the Polish government argues would worsen social inequality, document published on Monday showed. The legal actions, brought by Warsaw to the EU Court of Justice in July, target policies including a law agreed this year which will … continue reading -> “Poland Asks EU’s Top Court to Cancel Three Climate Policies”

UN Committee: Kids Entitled to Clean, Healthy Environment

All children are entitled to a clean and healthy environment, a UN committee said for the first time on Monday, bolstering young people’s arguments for suing authorities over the ravages of climate change. Issuing a fresh interpretation of an important international rights treaty, the United Nations watchdog determined that it guarantees children the right to … continue reading -> “UN Committee: Kids Entitled to Clean, Healthy Environment”

Ancient Priest’s Remains Are First-of-a-Kind Find for Peru

A group of Japanese and Peruvian archaeologists have discovered the 3,000-year-old tomb of a priest alongside ceramic offerings in northern Peru.  “We have recently discovered the tomb of a 3,000-year-old figure at the Pacopampa archaeological site,” in the Cajamarca region, 900 kilometers (560 miles) north of Lima, archaeologist Juan Pablo Villanueva told AFP Saturday.   “He … continue reading -> “Ancient Priest’s Remains Are First-of-a-Kind Find for Peru”

US Workers Exposed to Extreme Heat Found to Have No Consistent Protection

Santos Brizuela spent more than two decades laboring outdoors, persisting despite a bout of heatstroke while cutting sugarcane in Mexico and chronic laryngitis from repeated exposure to the hot sun while on various other jobs. But last summer, while on a construction crew in Las Vegas, he reached his breaking point. Exposure to the sun … continue reading -> “US Workers Exposed to Extreme Heat Found to Have No Consistent Protection”

US Transgender Adults Worried About Finding Welcoming Spaces to Live in Later Years

Rajee Narinesingh faced struggles throughout her life as a transgender woman, from workplace discrimination to the lasting effects of black market injections that scarred her face and caused chronic infections. In spite of the roadblocks, the 56-year-old Florida actress and activist has seen growing acceptance since she first came out decades ago. “If you see … continue reading -> “US Transgender Adults Worried About Finding Welcoming Spaces to Live in Later Years”

Fukushima Residents Cautious After Nuclear Plant Begins Wastewater Releases

Fish auction prices at a port south of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant were mixed amid uncertainty over how seafood consumers will respond to the release of treated and diluted radioactive wastewater into the ocean. The plant, which was damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, began sending the treated water into the Pacific … continue reading -> “Fukushima Residents Cautious After Nuclear Plant Begins Wastewater Releases”

With Drones, Webcams, Volunteers in New Hunt for Mythical Loch Ness Monster

Mystery hunters converged on a Scottish lake on Saturday to look for signs of the mythical Loch Ness Monster. The Loch Ness Center said researchers would seek evidence of Nessie using thermal-imaging drones, infrared cameras and a hydrophone to detect underwater sounds in the lake’s murky waters. The two-day event is being billed as the … continue reading -> “With Drones, Webcams, Volunteers in New Hunt for Mythical Loch Ness Monster”

Installation of Spring-Loaded Fans Aims to Prevent Student Suicides in Indian Educational Hub

In a desperate measure to stop students from taking their own lives, authorities in the western Indian city of Kota — the country’s famous academic coaching hub — have directed all local hostels, guest houses and other accommodation facilities to install specially designed spring-fitted ceiling fans in rooms. The directive from the authorities came on … continue reading -> “Installation of Spring-Loaded Fans Aims to Prevent Student Suicides in Indian Educational Hub”

New Crew for Space Station Launches With Astronauts From 4 Countries

Four astronauts from four countries rocketed toward the International Space Station on Saturday. They should reach the orbiting lab in their SpaceX capsule Sunday, replacing four astronauts who have been living up there since March. A NASA astronaut was joined on the predawn liftoff from Kennedy Space Center by fliers from Denmark, Japan and Russia. … continue reading -> “New Crew for Space Station Launches With Astronauts From 4 Countries”

Cape Cod Opens Hospital for Stranded Dolphins

When members of the marine mammal team from the International Fund for Animal Welfare rush to a Cape Cod beach to help a stranded dolphin or porpoise, they have no choice but to treat the endangered animal on site and then immediately release it. That is about to change. The organization, which protects animals worldwide, … continue reading -> “Cape Cod Opens Hospital for Stranded Dolphins”

Surge in Dengue Fever Hits Bangladesh

Health authorities in Bangladesh are wrestling with a surge in dengue fever cases as monsoon rains batter the densely populated country. According to a World Health Organization report issued this month, “The higher incidence of dengue is taking place in the context of an unusual episodic amount of rainfall, combined with high temperatures and high … continue reading -> “Surge in Dengue Fever Hits Bangladesh”

Biden Plans to Request Funds to Develop New Coronavirus Vaccine

U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday that he is planning to request more money from Congress to develop another new coronavirus vaccine, as scientists track new waves and hospitalizations rise, though not like before.  Officials are already expecting updated COVID-19 vaccines that contain one version of the omicron strain, called XBB.1.5. It’s an important change … continue reading -> “Biden Plans to Request Funds to Develop New Coronavirus Vaccine”

Operators of Fukushima Plant Say Water Samples Within Safe Limits

Operators of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant said Friday that initial ocean water samples taken since the discharge of wastewater from the plant were well within the acceptable range for radioactive material.  At a news conference near the plant in Fukushima prefecture, officials from the Tokyo Electric Power Company — TEPCO — told reporters … continue reading -> “Operators of Fukushima Plant Say Water Samples Within Safe Limits”

 Ukrainian Soldier Spent Weeks in Wagner Group’s Captivity, Lost Both Arms

Ukrainian soldier Ilya Mikhalchuk was wounded near Bakhmut and captured by Wagner Group mercenaries in February. He had both arms amputated while in captivity and was released in April. Thanks to volunteers, he is now in the U.S. getting prostheses. Iryna Shynkarenko has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. VOA footage by Kostiantyn Golubchyk. …

China’s Biggest Salt Maker Urges Public not to Panic Buy After Fukushima Discharge

China’s biggest salt producer urged people against panic buying after Japan began discharging treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Thursday, despite firm opposition from Beijing. The state-run National Salt Industry Group, the world’s biggest common salt producer, said in a statement issued hours later that it was … continue reading -> “China’s Biggest Salt Maker Urges Public not to Panic Buy After Fukushima Discharge”

Death Toll Rises to Five in Poland Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak

The death toll from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in Rzeszow, southeast Poland, has risen to five, local authorities said Thursday as they tried to detect the contamination source.  The fifth victim was a woman, 79, admitted to the hospital a few days ago.  “She was a patient with multiple long-term conditions, including cancer, and … continue reading -> “Death Toll Rises to Five in Poland Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak”

US Sues SpaceX for Discriminating Against Refugees, Asylum-Seekers

The U.S. Justice Department is suing Elon Musk’s SpaceX for refusing to hire refugees and asylum-seekers at the rocket company. In a lawsuit filed on Thursday, the Justice Department said SpaceX routinely discriminated against these job applicants between 2018 and 2022, in violation of U.S. immigration laws. The lawsuit says that Musk and other SpaceX … continue reading -> “US Sues SpaceX for Discriminating Against Refugees, Asylum-Seekers”