Britain could revive domestic production of super strong magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines with government support, to cut its reliance on China and achieve vital cuts in carbon emissions, two sources with direct knowledge said. A government-funded feasibility study is due to be published on Friday, laying out the steps Britain must … continue reading -> “UK Gears Up to Produce Rare Earth Magnets, Cut Reliance on China “
The World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe said Thursday the continent is now the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for 59 percent of all cases globally. At a virtual news briefing from Copenhagen, Hans Kluge said the current pace of transmission across the region’s 53 countries is of grave concern. He said new cases are approaching record levels, with the delta variant of the coronavirus driving the surge. Kluge said his … continue reading -> “WHO: Europe Now Epicenter of COVID-19 Pandemic”
The COVID-19 pandemic shortened life expectancy around the globe last year, according to a new international study. A team of researchers led by University of Oxford public health professor Nazur Islam examined changes to life expectancy in 37 upper-middle- and high-income countries, using the years between 2005 and 2019 as a benchmark, and compared the ages of the deceased to their life expectancies. … continue reading -> “Study Shows COVID-19 Pandemic Diminished Life Expectancy Around the Globe in 2020”
Social media behemoth Facebook is facing public and regulatory scrutiny after the disclosure of thousands of pages of internal documents by a whistleblower who used to work for the company. What are the Facebook papers? After compiling the documents while working as a Facebook product manager, Frances Haugen distributed them to a group of 17 … continue reading -> “What Are the Facebook Papers?”
A New Zealand research project is looking at ways to produce hydrogen in Antarctica to reduce carbon emissions. A four-month New Zealand project is investigating whether hydrogen could be generated, used and stored at Scott Base, its Antarctic research facility, to reduce its reliance on carbon-based fuels. Those fuels are currently used for transportation, cooking and heating. A special grade fuel is … continue reading -> “New Zealand Researchers Hope to Replace Fossil Fuel Use in Antarctica With Green Hydrogen”
No in-person school. Isolation from friends. Lost rites of passage like graduation ceremonies. The COVID-19 pandemic upended the lives of many children in the United States. “A lot of children’s joy comes from being with friends or from play, and from social interaction. When you ask kids, ‘What’s making you happy?’ 90% of the time, … continue reading -> “How COVID-19 Stole ‘Children’s Joy,’ Sparking a Mental Health Emergency”
The U.S. government has added four foreign technology companies to its restricted companies list, saying they “developed and supplied spyware to foreign governments” and that the spyware was used “to maliciously target government officials, journalists, businesspeople, activists, academics, and embassy workers.” The State Department accused the companies of “engaging in activities contrary to the national … continue reading -> “US Blacklists Four Foreign Companies for ‘Malicious Cyber Activities’”
Over the past few years, the so-called healing crystals trend has resurfaced in the wellness industry, even though the stones have no scientifically proven health benefits. Karina Bafradzhian has the story. …
Maintaining the unique environment of the Galápagos Islands and protecting the surrounding marine resources is testing Ecuador. China’s industrial fishing fleet threatens the islands, but China is a key trading partner. Jaime Moreno has this report. Video: Nelson Abril …
The COP26 climate summit is taking place against the backdrop of an ongoing global pandemic. As richer nations begin to reopen thanks to rapid vaccination programs, most people in developing countries are still waiting for their first dose. Henry Ridgwell reports from the summit in Glasgow on whether distrust between richer and poorer nations could … continue reading -> “COP26: Will Vaccine Inequality Drive Distrust Between Rich, Poor Nations at Climate Summit?”
Facebook says it is shutting down its facial recognition system. Citing “growing societal concerns” about the technology that can automatically identify people in photos and videos, the company says it will continue to work on the technology to try to address issues. “Regulators are still in the process of providing a clear set of rules … continue reading -> “Facebook Shuts Down Facial Recognition Technology”
Chinese President Xi Jinping called on other nations to “step up cooperation” and act on climate targets, but offered no new commitments in a statement to the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, known as COP26. “Visions will come true only when we act on them. Parties need to honor their commitments, set realistic … continue reading -> “China Makes No New Pledges but Calls on COP26 Countries to Act “
Philanthropist Bill Gates says the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will donate $350 million to help small farmers around the world grow crops that will adapt to climate change. In an interview with VOA from Glasgow where he is attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference, Gates said the money will go to a seed consortium … continue reading -> “Bill Gates Vows to Donate $350 Million to Seed Programs for Small Farmers”
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), one of the world’s largest chipmakers, has announced plans to build a new plant in Japan, a move experts say may help revive Japan’s declining chipmaking sector and bolster its economic security. The new plant is slated to begin operation in 2024, said CEO C.C. Wei, who announced the expansion. … continue reading -> “Taiwan Chip Giant to Expand to Japan”
Yahoo said it stopped providing services in mainland China because of what it described as a difficult operating environment. The U.S. web services provider said in a statement on its website the move took effect on November 1 “in recognition of the increasingly challenging business and legal environment.” November 1 is the date on which … continue reading -> “Yahoo Halts Services in Mainland China”
Hopes are already fading that the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow will result in any new deal for a significant cut in global greenhouse gas emissions, after China and Russia declined to attend the conference and India’s pledges fell short of expectations. The summit got under way Monday as dozens of world leaders addressed the … continue reading -> “Hope Eroding as COP26 Climate Pledges Fall Short”
At the U.N. Climate Change Conference, COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, U.S. President Joe Biden apologized for the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 Paris climate accord under his predecessor, Donald Trump. Biden said the U.S. is now back at the table to lead on climate. But as White House Correspondent Patsy Widakuswara reports, it’s unclear just how much he can deliver. …
There are stark warnings from scientists that a failure to agree to much deeper cuts in greenhouse gas emissions will result in catastrophic and irreversible climate change. But as Henry Ridgwell reports from Glasgow, Scotland, hopes are already fading that the COP26 climate summit will result in any new deal to save the planet. Camera: Henry Ridgwell …
The U.S. Supreme Court heard challenges Monday to a Texas law that imposes a near total ban on abortion after six weeks. The Republican-backed Texas law bars abortions once cardiac activity has been detected in an embryo, which typically happens at six weeks – a point when some women are not yet aware they are … continue reading -> “Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Texas Abortion Law”
First doses, pending approval, will be administered this week …
The COVID-19 pandemic global death toll has hit the 5 million mark, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The center reported early Monday a grim milestone of 5,000,425 global deaths from the COVID outbreak. The new death tally comes just months after 4 million deaths from COVID-19 were recorded in June. The milestone … continue reading -> “COVID-19 Death Toll Passes 5 Million”
The COVID-19 pandemic global death toll has hit the 5 million mark, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The tally comes a little more than four months after 4 million deaths from COVID-19 were recorded in June. The milestone arrives as some countries struggle to get one vaccine into their citizens’ arms, while … continue reading -> “COVID-19 Death Toll Reaches 5 Million”
More than 100 world leaders are gathering for a summit Monday as work begins at a two-week U.N. climate conference, with areas of focus expected to include pledges for emissions targets and funding to help developing nations cope with impacts from climate change. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is serving as host of the … continue reading -> “World Leaders to Focus on Climate Change as Major Conference Opens”
Former U.S. ambassador and former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is heading to Myanmar on a private humanitarian mission that will focus on pandemic support, his spokesperson said Sunday. Myanmar has been mired in violence and civil unrest since a military coup seized power in February. Protesters have faced beatings and arrests. The United States … continue reading -> “Former US Ambassador Bill Richardson Heads to Myanmar”
The global consumer goods industry’s plans for dealing with the vast plastic waste it generates can be seen here in a landfill on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital, where a swarm of excavators tears into stinking mountains of garbage. These machines are unearthing rubbish to provide fuel to power a nearby cement plant. Discarded bubble … continue reading -> “Trash and Burn: Big Brands’ New Plastic Waste Plan”