Pregnant Philippine women arrested in Cambodia for surrogacy could be prosecuted

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Thirteen pregnant Philippine women accused of illegally acting as surrogate mothers in Cambodia after being recruited online could face prison terms after giving birth, a senior Interior Ministry official said Saturday.  Interior Ministry Secretary of State Chou Bun Eng, who leads the country’s fight against human trafficking and sexual exploitation, said police … continue reading -> “Pregnant Philippine women arrested in Cambodia for surrogacy could be prosecuted”

US aviation authority approves SpaceX Starship 5 flight for Sunday

washington — The Federal Aviation Administration approved a license Saturday for the launch of SpaceX’s Starship 5 on Sunday after earlier saying it did not expect to make a decision until late November. Reuters first reported this week the faster than expected timetable after the FAA in September had suggested a much longer review.  SpaceX is … continue reading -> “US aviation authority approves SpaceX Starship 5 flight for Sunday”

Election stress disorder is a real thing ahead of November voting

The American Psychiatric Association says that as elections approach, stress levels go up, regardless of political affiliation. The constant stream of news, stressful arguments and concerns about the country’s future all put pressure on mental well-being. Some psychologists call it election stress disorder. Maxim Adams has the story. Videographer: Andre Sergunin …

Cameroon urges awareness of breast cancer’s early stages

YAOUNDE, CAMEROON — Humanitarian groups in Cameroon are visiting homes and villages in remote areas this week to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, advising women to go to hospitals for free screening and treatment. About 60% of the more than 7,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Cameroon this year have died because they were late … continue reading -> “Cameroon urges awareness of breast cancer’s early stages”

Animal lovers try to counter the deadly risk of Chicago high-rises for migrating birds

chicago — With a neon-green net in hand, Annette Prince briskly walks a downtown Chicago plaza at dawn, looking left and right as she goes. It’s not long before she spots a tiny yellow bird sitting on the concrete. It doesn’t fly away, and she quickly nets the bird, gently places it inside a paper bag … continue reading -> “Animal lovers try to counter the deadly risk of Chicago high-rises for migrating birds”

What makes a storm a hurricane? The dangers across 5 categories

Two additional human bird flu cases confirmed in California 

Prayer camps in Nigeria attract ‘miracle seekers’

The power of simple prayer to heal illness is not clear, according to scientists, and is difficult to study. Whatever your faith, when you’re sick, you should seek treatment from a doctor. But in Nigeria, some people choose spiritual healers and miracle cures over orthodox medicine and hospitals. That creates some dangerous situations. Timothy Obiezu … continue reading -> “Prayer camps in Nigeria attract ‘miracle seekers’”

A rare comet brightens the night skies in October

NEW YORK — Prepare to spot a rare, bright comet. The space rock is slinging toward Earth from the outer reaches of the solar system and will make its closest pass Saturday. It should be visible through the end of October, clear skies permitting. Comet Tsuchinshan-Atlas should be bright enough to see with the naked eye, … continue reading -> “A rare comet brightens the night skies in October”

One in 8 girls and women raped or sexually assaulted before age 18, UNICEF says

UNITED NATIONS — More than 370 million girls and women alive today, or one in every eight worldwide, experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18, the United Nations children’s agency said Wednesday. The number rises to 650 million, or one in five, when taking into account “non-contact” forms of sexual violence, such as … continue reading -> “One in 8 girls and women raped or sexually assaulted before age 18, UNICEF says”

Colombia’s Caribbean islands on front line of war on climate change

As representatives of the signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity prepare to meet in Cali, Colombia, this month, residents of some Colombian islands in the Caribbean are calling for action because rising seas are threatening their homes, families, and way of life. Austin Landis traveled to Santa Cruz del Islote to hear their story. … continue reading -> “Colombia’s Caribbean islands on front line of war on climate change”

Baker, Hassabis, Jumper win 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry 

STOCKHOLM — Scientists David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the award-giving body said on Wednesday, for their work on the structure of proteins. The prize, widely regarded as among the most prestigious in the scientific world, is awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and is worth … continue reading -> “Baker, Hassabis, Jumper win 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry “

As Hurricane Milton approaches, eyes turn to FEMA

Cholera cases, deaths surge more than 200% in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria — Cholera is surging in Nigeria, health officials said this week, with the number of cases and deaths increasing by more than 200% this year. The Nigerian Center for Disease Control said in this week’s epidemiological report that the country has recorded nearly 11,000 cases of cholera this year — a 220% increase compared … continue reading -> “Cholera cases, deaths surge more than 200% in Nigeria”

Don’t expect human life expectancy to grow much more, researcher says

new york — Humanity is hitting the upper limit of life expectancy, according to a new study. Advances in medical technology and genetic research — not to mention larger numbers of people making it to age 100 — are not translating into marked jumps in lifespan overall, according to researchers who found shrinking longevity increases in … continue reading -> “Don’t expect human life expectancy to grow much more, researcher says”

World water resources decreasing as global rivers dry up

GENEVA  — Billions of people are facing a future of water scarcity as global rivers dry up, glaciers melt, and intense heat and other extreme weather events caused by climate change create critical changes in water availability around the world, according to the State of Global Water Resources report issued Monday by the World Meteorological Organization.  … continue reading -> “World water resources decreasing as global rivers dry up”

Spacecraft headed to harmless asteroid slammed by NASA in previous save-the-Earth test

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A spacecraft blasted off Monday to investigate the scene of a cosmic crash.  The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft rocketed away on a two-year journey to the small, harmless asteroid rammed by NASA two years ago in a dress rehearsal for the day a killer space rock threatens Earth. Launched by SpaceX … continue reading -> “Spacecraft headed to harmless asteroid slammed by NASA in previous save-the-Earth test”

US Supreme Court rebuffs Biden administration on emergency abortions in Texas

Washington — The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a bid by President Joe Biden’s administration to enforce in Texas federal guidance requiring hospitals to perform abortions if needed to stabilize a patient’s emergency medical condition.   The justices turned away the Justice Department’s appeal of a lower court’s decision that halted enforcement of … continue reading -> “US Supreme Court rebuffs Biden administration on emergency abortions in Texas”

US aviation authority OKs SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle for Monday flight

Washington — SpaceX’s workhorse Falcon 9 rocket can return to flight for a mission planned for Monday to launch the European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft from Florida, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said Sunday. Elon Musk’s company, which has engaged in a public quarrel with the FAA in recent weeks, said Sunday it is planning the … continue reading -> “US aviation authority OKs SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle for Monday flight”

Rwanda begins Marburg vaccinations to curb deadly outbreak

KIGALI — Rwanda said Sunday it had begun administering vaccine doses against the Marburg virus to try to combat an outbreak of the Ebola-like disease in the east African country, where it has so far killed 12 people.  “The vaccination is starting today immediately,” Health Minister Sabin Nsanzimana said at a news conference in the capital … continue reading -> “Rwanda begins Marburg vaccinations to curb deadly outbreak”

Congo starts mpox vaccinations in effort to slow outbreaks

GOMA, Congo — Congolese authorities on Saturday began vaccinations against mpox, nearly two months after the disease outbreak that spread from Congo to several African countries and beyond was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization. The 265,000 doses donated to Congo by the European Union and the United States were rolled out in … continue reading -> “Congo starts mpox vaccinations in effort to slow outbreaks”

Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes near capital of New Zealand

wellington, new zealand — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near New Zealand’s capital city of Wellington, government seismic monitor GeoNet said on Sunday, but initial reports indicated there were no injuries or significant damage.  The quake hit at 5:08 a.m. on Sunday (1608 GMT on Saturday) striking 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) west of Wellington at a … continue reading -> “Magnitude 5.7 earthquake strikes near capital of New Zealand”

Sex workers find themselves at center of Congo’s mpox outbreak

KAMITUGA, Congo — It’s been four months since Sifa Kunguja recovered from mpox, but as a sex worker, she said, she’s still struggling to regain clients, with fear and stigma driving away people who’ve heard she had the virus.  “It’s risky work,” Kunguja, 40, said from her small home in eastern Congo. “But if I don’t … continue reading -> “Sex workers find themselves at center of Congo’s mpox outbreak”

A week after Helene hit, thousands still without water struggle to find enough

ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — Nearly a week after Hurricane Helene brought devastation to western North Carolina, a shiny stainless steel tanker truck in downtown Asheville attracted residents carrying 19-liter containers, milk jugs and buckets to fill with what has become a desperately scare resource — drinking water. Flooding tore through the city’s water system, destroying so … continue reading -> “A week after Helene hit, thousands still without water struggle to find enough”

Dozens of zoo tigers die after contracting bird flu in southern Vietnam

HANOI, Vietnam — More than a dozen tigers were incinerated after the animals died after contracted bird flu at a zoo in southern Vietnam, officials said. State media VNExpress cited a caretaker at Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city saying the animals were fed raw chicken bought from nearby farms. The panther and 20 tigers, … continue reading -> “Dozens of zoo tigers die after contracting bird flu in southern Vietnam”