Over 100-thousand people died in the U.S. from drug overdoses in the 12 months between June 2020 to May 2021, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That figure is more than COVID, and more than twice the number of those killed by guns and traffic accidents. Liliya Anisimova … continue reading -> “Drug Overdoses Are Killing More Americans Than Guns, Traffic Accidents”

Thailand’s economy has seen growth in its recovery amid the global pandemic, but rising COVID-19 cases concern health experts. Heavily reliant on international tourism to boost its economy, Thailand dropped its quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated visitors in November, with thousands of arrivals flocking to the country since. But along with the renewal of tourism … continue reading -> “Thailand at ‘Crossroads’ as COVID-19 Surges Amid Tourism, Economy Rebound”

More than half of U.S. abortions are now done with pills rather than surgery, an upward trend that spiked during the pandemic with the increase in telemedicine, a report released Thursday said.   In 2020, pills accounted for 54% of all U.S. abortions, up from roughly 44% in 2019.   The preliminary numbers come from … continue reading -> “More Than Half of US Abortions Now Done With Pills, Report Says “

A space policy expert says that despite the unfolding Russian invasion in Ukraine, the International Space Station should remain at peace. Plus, a delivery of science experiments to the ISS, and a piece of Earth art bound for the moon. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us The Week in Space. …

With the global vaccine supply exceeding distribution capacity, the Biden administration is acknowledging a need to adjust its pandemic response strategy to address hurdles faced by lower-income countries to vaccinate their citizens. “It is clear that supply is outstripping demand and the area of focus really needs to be that ‘shots in arms’ work,” said … continue reading -> “US Shifting Global Pandemic Strategy as Vaccine Supply Outstrips Demand “

Hong Kong rolled out vaccine passports on Thursday requiring people aged 12 and above to have at least one COVID-19 jab, and paved the way for mainland China manpower to help bring a worsening outbreak under control. Residents will have to show their vaccine record to access venues including supermarkets, shopping malls and restaurants, a … continue reading -> “Hong Kong Rolls Out COVID Vaccine Passport, Paves Way For Mainland Doctors”

Tensions in eastern Ukraine and heightened Western fears of a Russian invasion should not have a significant impact on the International Space Station or U.S.-Russia cooperation in space, the former head of the National Space Council told The Associated Press. Four NASA astronauts, two Russian cosmonauts and one European astronaut are currently on the space … continue reading -> “Ex-Official: Space Station ‘Largely Isolated’ From Tensions”

The use of wind to generate electricity for the United States was thrust forward Wednesday with the largest-ever offering by the federal government of offshore development rights. Bidding for the 197,000 hectares of the New York Bight — an area of shallow waters between the coasts of Long Island (in New York state) and the … continue reading -> “US Offshore Wind Rights Auction Generates Record Bids”

Aid groups warned Wednesday that a spike in COVID-19 infections and an alarming measles outbreak have compounded the health emergencies in Afghanistan, stretching the impoverished, war-torn country’s fragile health care system. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement that urgent global support, including health and testing services, … continue reading -> “New Wave of COVID-19, Measles Outbreak Stretch Fragile Afghan Health System”

Aggressive marketing practices by formula milk companies undermine women’s confidence, discouraging them from breastfeeding their babies, a World Health Organization-U.N. Children’s Fund study reports. Some 8,500 parents and pregnant women and 300 health workers in cities across eight countries were surveyed over a three-year period. The report reveals six of the world’s leading manufacturers of … continue reading -> “Study: Infant Formula Makers Use Unethical Practices to Boost Sales”

Less than 10% of the plastic used around the world is recycled, the OECD said Tuesday, calling for “coordinated and global solutions” ahead of expected talks on an international plastics treaty.  A new report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development report found that 460 million metric tons of plastics were used in 2019, … continue reading -> “9 Percent of Plastic Worldwide is Recycled, OECD Says”

Northern Britain and parts of France and Germany were battered Sunday and Monday by Franklin — the third major storm to strike the region in less than a week. The severe weather has flooded roads, knocked out power and left at least 14 people dead.  Storm Franklin brought heavy rains and high winds that disrupted … continue reading -> “Storm Franklin Batters Britain and Northern Europe, Leaves 14 Dead”

As expected, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday the end of all domestic COVID-19 restrictions as of November 24, even self-isolation for those testing positive for the infection.  Speaking before Parliament, Johnson said the nation will still encourage those who test positive or experience symptoms to stay home — at least until April … continue reading -> “Britain’s PM Dropping all Remaining COVID-19 Restrictions”

The Biden administration has released a screening tool to help identify disadvantaged communities long plagued by environmental hazards, but it won’t include race as a factor in deciding where to devote resources. Administration officials told reporters Friday that excluding race will make projects less likely to draw legal challenges and will be easier to defend, … continue reading -> “Race Excluded as White House Rolls Out Climate Justice Screening Tool”

 Sparked by global warming and other forms of climate change, tropical butterflies are starting to arrive in Hong Kong and Taiwan in greater numbers, while temperate-zone species like the monarch appear to be dwindling in the region, conservationists told RFA. “Seven new butterfly species were discovered in Hong Kong in 2021, including swallowtails, gray butterflies, … continue reading -> “Tropical Butterflies Spread as Monarchs Dwindle in East Asia”

It’s a question many have been asking for almost two years: when will the coronavirus pandemic end? “Epidemiologically speaking, we don’t know. Perhaps in another month or two — if there’s no other variants of concern that pop up, at least here in United States,” says J. Alexander Navarro, assistant director of the Center for … continue reading -> “When Will the Pandemic End?”

Canadian police on Saturday worked to restore normality to the capital after trucks and demonstrators occupied the downtown core of Ottawa for more than three weeks to protest against pandemic restrictions. The push to clear the city began Friday and continued into the night. Four of the main organizers have already been taken into custody … continue reading -> “Canadian Police Push to Restore Normality to Capital”

Hong Kong health experts on Friday said the city needs to change its pandemic strategies to cope with the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases.  In recent weeks Hong Kong has been hit hard by a fifth wave of cases caused by the omicron variant, which is increasing pressure on the city’s already overburdened health … continue reading -> “Hong Kong Health Experts Call for Home Isolation as Omicron Cases Overwhelm Hospitals “

Health authorities in Malawi say a 3-year-old girl is paralyzed after contracting polio, the first known case in Africa in more than five years and the first in Malawi in three decades. Authorities say the child was infected by a strain of poliovirus that matches a strain found in Pakistan. Until this week, Malawi had … continue reading -> “Malawi Declares Health Emergency Following Polio Case Discovery”

Lam Foon, 98, sits propped up and swaddled in soggy woolen blankets in a hospital bed just outside the entrance to Hong Kong’s Caritas Medical Centre, waiting for tests to confirm her preliminary positive result for COVID-19. “I don’t feel so good,” she told Reuters through a surgical mask, next to a similarly wrapped patient … continue reading -> “Hong Kong Working-Class District Reels as COVID Runs Rampant”

A Chinese rocket, according to astronomers, is expected to crash into the moon on March 4. It is the latest example of China’s presence in space. News of the predicted crash comes after Beijing released a development blueprint for satellite improvements, deep-space exploration and putting more people in orbit. Analysts expect Beijing to reach many … continue reading -> “China Sets 5-Year Commercial, Scientific Plans for Space”

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced the first shift by a state to an endemic approach to the coronavirus pandemic. He said it emphasizes prevention and quick reactions to outbreaks over mandates, a milestone nearly two years in the making that harkens to a return to a more normal existence.  Newsom said the approach, … continue reading -> “California Adopts Nation’s First ‘Endemic’ Virus Policy “

Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates met with Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in Pakistan to acknowledge the country’s progress against polio. During the trip, his first to Pakistan, Gates also stressed the need to curb virus transmissions in neighboring Afghanistan and preserve global gains. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only two countries … continue reading -> “Bill Gates Hails ‘Zero’ Polio Cases in Pakistan “