How We Eat Could Add 1 Degree of Warming By 2100

Greenhouse gas emissions from the way humans produce and consume food could add nearly 1 degree of warming to the Earth’s climate by 2100, according to a new study. Continuing the dietary patterns of today will push the planet past the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) limit of warming sought under the Paris climate … continue reading -> “How We Eat Could Add 1 Degree of Warming By 2100”

UN Takes Step Toward New Way of Tracking Greenhouse Gases

The United Nations announced Monday that it had taken a significant step towards trying to fill a key gap in the fight against climate change: standardized, real-time tracking of greenhouse gases. The U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization has come up with a new Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure that aims to provide better ways of measuring … continue reading -> “UN Takes Step Toward New Way of Tracking Greenhouse Gases”

Nations Reach Accord to Protect Marine Life on High Seas 

For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas — nearly half the planet’s surface — concluding two weeks of talks in New York. The U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force in 1994, before marine biodiversity was a well-established … continue reading -> “Nations Reach Accord to Protect Marine Life on High Seas “

Can’t Take Statins? New Pill Cuts Cholesterol, Heart Attacks

Drugs known as statins are the first-choice treatment for high cholesterol but millions of people who can’t or won’t take those pills because of side effects may have another option. In a major study, a different kind of cholesterol-lowering drug named Nexletol reduced the risk of heart attacks and some other cardiovascular problems in people … continue reading -> “Can’t Take Statins? New Pill Cuts Cholesterol, Heart Attacks”

India Might Issue Alert on Cough Syrup Exports After Toxins Found

India may issue an alert on cough syrup exported by Marion Biotech, whose products have been linked to deaths in Uzbekistan, after tests showed many of the company’s drug samples contained toxins, a drug inspector said Saturday. Indian police arrested three Marion employees Friday and are looking for two directors after tests in a government … continue reading -> “India Might Issue Alert on Cough Syrup Exports After Toxins Found”

Climate Activists Target Artwork Near German Parliament

Climate activists splashed a dark liquid over an artwork Saturday near the German parliament building. Desecrating the art, engraved with key articles from the country’s constitution, drew condemnation from the speaker of parliament and other lawmakers. The Last Generation group said supporters symbolically “soaked in ‘oil’” the outdoor installation — a series of glass plates … continue reading -> “Climate Activists Target Artwork Near German Parliament”

South African Scientists Use Bugs in War Against Water Hyacinth Weed

The Hartbeespoort dam in South Africa used to be brimming with people enjoying scenic landscapes and recreational water sports. Now, the visitors are greeted to the sight of boats stuck in a sea of invasive green water hyacinth weed. The spike in Harties – as Hartbeespoort is known – can be attributed to pollution, with … continue reading -> “South African Scientists Use Bugs in War Against Water Hyacinth Weed”

Former President Bush Marks 20 Years of Signature HIV/AIDS Policy

Former President George W. Bush recently urged Washington lawmakers to reauthorize the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, an initiative he launched two decades ago against one of deadliest diseases at the time. VOA Senior Correspondent Mariama Diallo reports. …

Pharmacy’s Decision on Abortion Pill May Signal Restricted Availability in US

Walgreens says it will not start selling an abortion pill in 20 states that had warned of legal consequences if it did so. The drugstore chain’s announcement Thursday signals that access to mifepristone may not expand as broadly as federal regulators intended in January, when they finalized a rule change allowing more pharmacies to provide … continue reading -> “Pharmacy’s Decision on Abortion Pill May Signal Restricted Availability in US”

Former President Bush Urges Lawmakers to Reauthorize AIDS Relief Plan 

Former President George W. Bush last week urged Washington lawmakers to continue to support the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an initiative he launched two decades ago against one of deadliest diseases at the time. Bush made his initial plea before Congress at his State of the Union address in 2003, when nearly … continue reading -> “Former President Bush Urges Lawmakers to Reauthorize AIDS Relief Plan “

Hong Kongers Keep Wearing Masks Despite Lifting of Mandate

Days after the Hong Kong government lifted its mask mandate, most Hong Kongers continue to wear the protective anti-COVID-19 coverings, a decision that for some people shows a continued concern about health and for others indicates distrust of the government. Tam Mei Tak, a radio talk-show host and political commentator, told VOA Cantonese that many … continue reading -> “Hong Kongers Keep Wearing Masks Despite Lifting of Mandate”

Four New Crew Members Arrive at International Space Station

The U.S. space agency NASA says two U.S. astronauts, another from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a Russian cosmonaut are safely aboard the International Space Station (ISS) after their Space-X Dragon crew capsule docked Friday with the orbiting laboratory. Video from NASA showed U.S. astronauts Stephen Bowen and Woody Hoburg, UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi … continue reading -> “Four New Crew Members Arrive at International Space Station”

One Month Later, Fallout from Toxic Train Accident Continues

One month after a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, sending tons of toxic chemicals into the air and prompting a temporary evacuation of the town, the fallout from the accident continues, both on the ground where local residents complain of lingering effects, and in Washington, where the Biden administration is under assault from … continue reading -> “One Month Later, Fallout from Toxic Train Accident Continues”

Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reached a Record High in 2022

Communities around the world emitted more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in any other year on records dating to 1900, a result of air travel rebounding from the pandemic and more cities turning to coal as a low-cost source of power. Emissions of the climate-warming gas that were caused by energy production grew 0.9% to … continue reading -> “Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reached a Record High in 2022”

SpaceX Launches Latest Space Station Crew to Orbit for NASA

Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX launched a four-person crew on a trip to the International Space Station early Thursday, with a Russian cosmonaut and United Arab Emirates astronaut joining two NASA crewmates on the flight. The SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a Falcon 9 rocket topped with an autonomously operated Crew Dragon capsule called Endeavour, … continue reading -> “SpaceX Launches Latest Space Station Crew to Orbit for NASA”

Asteroid-Bashing Spacecraft ‘Phenomenally Successful,’ Studies Find

NASA’s DART spacecraft slammed into the asteroid Dimorphos at a spot between two boulders during last September’s first test of a planetary defense system, sending debris hurtling into space and changing the rocky, oblong-shaped object’s path a bit more than previously calculated.  Those were among the findings released by scientists on Wednesday in the most … continue reading -> “Asteroid-Bashing Spacecraft ‘Phenomenally Successful,’ Studies Find”

Lilly Plans to Slash Some Insulin Prices, Expand Cost Cap

Eli Lilly will cut prices for some older insulins later this year and immediately give more patients access to a cap on the costs they pay to fill prescriptions.  The moves announced Wednesday promise critical relief to some people with diabetes who can face thousands of dollars in annual costs for insulin they need in … continue reading -> “Lilly Plans to Slash Some Insulin Prices, Expand Cost Cap”

US: 25 Million Lives Saved by AIDS Program

The head of a U.S. government program to fight AIDS, Dr. John Nkengasong, says that in its 20 years of existence the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, has saved 25 million lives. PEPFAR, set up in 2003 under the administration of former U.S. president George W. Bush, has transformed the trajectory of … continue reading -> “US: 25 Million Lives Saved by AIDS Program”

Death Toll in Equatorial Guinea Marburg Outbreak Rises to 11 

Two more people in Equatorial Guinea have died of Marburg hemorrhagic fever, a cousin of the Ebola virus, bringing the toll of fatalities to 11, the authorities say. “Two days ago, the monitoring system recorded eight notifications, including the deaths of two people with symptoms of the disease,” Health Minister Mitoha Ondo’o Ayekaba said in … continue reading -> “Death Toll in Equatorial Guinea Marburg Outbreak Rises to 11 “

US Ambassador: China Should Be Candid About COVID Origins

The U.S. ambassador to China says Beijing needs to be more forthcoming about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, a day after reports that the U.S. Energy Department concluded the outbreak likely began because of a Chinese laboratory leak. Nicholas Burns told a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event by video link Monday that China needs … continue reading -> “US Ambassador: China Should Be Candid About COVID Origins”

Child Immunization Vaccine Shortage Hits Ghana  

The Ghana Health Service says a shortage of routine vaccines for children blamed for a measles outbreak that infected 120 will be resolved within weeks. Health officials said the shortage of vaccines against polio, hepatitis B, and measles was caused by the depreciation of Ghana’s currency, the cedi. The Pediatric Society of Ghana warned childhood … continue reading -> “Child Immunization Vaccine Shortage Hits Ghana  “

SpaceX Preps Launch of Next ISS Crew for NASA

Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX was set to launch early Monday the International Space Station’s next long-duration team into orbit, with an astronaut from the United Arab Emirates and a Russian cosmonaut joining two NASA crewmates for the flight. The SpaceX launch vehicle, consisting of a Falcon 9 rocket topped with an autonomously operated Crew … continue reading -> “SpaceX Preps Launch of Next ISS Crew for NASA”

Spain: Patient Does Not Have Marburg Disease

A man in Spain who was suspected of having the deadly Marburg disease tested negative Saturday and does not have the virus, the health ministry said. Health authorities in Valencia earlier said they had detected the country’s first suspected case of the infectious disease that has led to the quarantining of more than 200 people … continue reading -> “Spain: Patient Does Not Have Marburg Disease”

Spain Detects First Suspected Case of Marburg Disease

Spain has identified its first suspected case of Marburg disease.  The Spanish patient is a 34-year-old man who had recently traveled to the Central African nation of Equatorial Guinea.  He was in a private hospital but has been transferred to an isolation unit at Hospital La Fe in Valencia for further tests, regional medical officials … continue reading -> “Spain Detects First Suspected Case of Marburg Disease”

Uber Says Delhi’s Plans to Allow Only Electric Bike Taxis Will Impact Millions

Uber Technologies Inc. said on Friday plans by the local government in India’s Delhi city to only allow electric vehicles to function as bike taxis would risk “finishing off the sector” and impact the mobility needs of millions. Delhi’s plans, part of a new policy to regulate vehicles used by ride-hailing companies like Uber and … continue reading -> “Uber Says Delhi’s Plans to Allow Only Electric Bike Taxis Will Impact Millions”