Biden proposes banning Chinese vehicles from US roads with software crackdown 

Washington — The U.S. Commerce Department on Monday proposed prohibiting key Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles on American roads due to national security concerns — a move that would effectively bar nearly all Chinese cars from entering the U.S. market. The planned regulation, first reported by Reuters, would also force American and other major automakers … continue reading -> “Biden proposes banning Chinese vehicles from US roads with software crackdown “

Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians, 1 American from ISS returns to Earth

Moscow — A Soyuz capsule carrying two Russians and one American from the International Space Station landed Monday in Kazakhstan, ending a record-breaking stay for the Russian pair. The capsule landed on the Kazakh steppe about 3 1/2 hours after undocking from the ISS in an apparently trouble-free descent. In the last stage of the landing, … continue reading -> “Soyuz capsule with 2 Russians, 1 American from ISS returns to Earth”

Cholera spreading in Sudan as fighting between rival generals shows no sign of abating 

Cairo — Cholera is spreading in war-torn Sudan, killing at least 388 people and sickening about 13,000 others over the past two months, health authorities said, as more than 17 months of fighting between the military and a notorious paramilitary group shows no sign of abating.   The disease is spreading in areas devastated by recent heavy … continue reading -> “Cholera spreading in Sudan as fighting between rival generals shows no sign of abating “

US to propose ban on Chinese software, hardware in connected vehicles, sources say

Washington — The U.S. Commerce Department is expected on Monday to propose prohibiting Chinese software and hardware in connected and autonomous vehicles on American roads due to national security concerns, two sources told Reuters. The Biden administration has raised serious concerns about the collection of data by Chinese companies on U.S. drivers and infrastructure as well … continue reading -> “US to propose ban on Chinese software, hardware in connected vehicles, sources say”

UN adopts pact promising to build ‘brighter future’ for humanity 

United Nations, United States — The United Nations on Sunday adopted a “Pact for the Future” aimed at addressing sprawling 21st-century challenges ranging from conflict to climate change and human rights, despite last-minute objections from a group of countries led by Russia. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who organized the “Summit of the Future,” had billed it as … continue reading -> “UN adopts pact promising to build ‘brighter future’ for humanity “

Dolphins dying in Amazon lake made shallow by drought

TEFE, Brazil — The carcass of a baby dolphin lay on the sand bank left exposed by the receding waters in an Amazon lake that has been drying up during the worst drought on record.  Researchers recovered the dead animal on Wednesday and measured water temperatures that have been rising as the lake’s level drops. In … continue reading -> “Dolphins dying in Amazon lake made shallow by drought”

This US city is hailed as a vaccination success. Can it be sustained?

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — On his first day of school at Newcomer Academy, Maikel Tejeda was whisked to the school library. The 7th grader didn’t know why. He soon got the point: He was being given make-up vaccinations. Five of them. “I don’t have a problem with that,” said the 12-year-old, who moved from Cuba early this … continue reading -> “This US city is hailed as a vaccination success. Can it be sustained?”

Instagram makes teen accounts private as pressure mounts to protect children

California governor signs law to protect children from social media addiction

SACRAMENTO, California — California will make it illegal for social media platforms to knowingly provide addictive feeds to children without parental consent beginning in 2027 under a new law Governor Gavin Newsom signed Friday.  California follows New York state, which passed a law earlier this year allowing parents to block their kids from getting social media … continue reading -> “California governor signs law to protect children from social media addiction”

Parts of US Midwest could offer fall’s most vibrant foliage

PORTLAND, Maine — Fall is back, and bringing with it jack-o’-lanterns, football, pumpkin spice everything and — in some parts of the country — especially vibrant foliage. Leaves around the northern United States are starting to turn orange, yellow and red, inspiring legions of leaf lovers to hop in their cars and travel to the countryside … continue reading -> “Parts of US Midwest could offer fall’s most vibrant foliage”

Climate protesters say pace of change isn’t fast enough

NEW YORK — Six years after a teenage Greta Thunberg walked out of school in a solitary climate protest outside of the Swedish parliament, people around a warming globe marched in youth-led protest, saying their voices are being heard but not sufficiently acted upon. Emissions of heat-trapping gases and temperatures have been rising and oil and … continue reading -> “Climate protesters say pace of change isn’t fast enough”

Striking Indian doctors set to resume essential services

KOLKATA, INDIA — Striking junior doctors in India’s West Bengal state agreed to resume essential services, in a partial resumption of medical facilities, but they will continue their strike over the rape and murder of a colleague over a month ago. The rape and murder of the 31-year-old female doctor in West Bengal in August set … continue reading -> “Striking Indian doctors set to resume essential services”

Congo struggles to contain mpox; here’s why

KAVUMU, Congo — Health authorities have struggled to contain outbreaks of mpox in Congo, a huge central African country where a myriad of existing problems makes stemming the spread particularly hard. Last month, the World Health Organization declared the outbreaks in Congo and about a dozen other African countries a global health emergency. And in Congo, … continue reading -> “Congo struggles to contain mpox; here’s why”

UN report: Debt crisis undermines AIDS eradication in Africa

Harare, Zimbabwe — A new report released by the main United Nations agency for action on AIDS and HIV says growing public debt is choking sub-Saharan African countries, leaving them with little fiscal room to finance critical HIV services. In the report, launched ahead of the 79th session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, … continue reading -> “UN report: Debt crisis undermines AIDS eradication in Africa”

Mpox spreads at alarming rate among children in Burundi

GENEVA — The United Nations Children’s Fund, or UNICEF, warned Friday that children in Burundi are bearing the brunt of the mpox outbreak, with cases of this deadly, infectious disease spreading at an alarming rate among a young population. “Of the nearly 600 reported cases, two-thirds are in children under 19. The situation has escalated rapidly, … continue reading -> “Mpox spreads at alarming rate among children in Burundi”

Submersible’s scientific director says vessel malfunctioned days before fatal dive

AviaFest.com for sale!

It sounds like you’re interested in aviation festivals! One of the most notable aviation events in Ukraine is the KharkivAviaFest. This festival is held at the Korotych airfield near Kharkiv and is known for its impressive air shows and diverse ground activities. The festival typically features: Six-hour air shows with performances by top Ukrainian and … continue reading -> “AviaFest.com for sale!”

China-connected spamouflage impersonated Dutch cartoonist

Washington — Based on the posts of an X account that bears the name of Dutch cartoonist Bart van Leeuwen, a profile picture of his face and short professional bio, one would think the Amsterdam-based artist is a staunch supporter of China and fierce critic of the United States. In one post, the account blasts what … continue reading -> “China-connected spamouflage impersonated Dutch cartoonist”

How Lebanon’s wireless paging system was weaponized to make Hezbollah devices explode

New analysis of 2019 Wuhan market animals may help find COVID-19 origin

LONDON — Scientists searching for the origins of COVID-19 have zeroed in on a short list of animals that possibly helped spread it to people, an effort they hope could allow them to trace the outbreak back to its source. Researchers analyzed genetic material gathered from the Chinese market where the first outbreak was detected and … continue reading -> “New analysis of 2019 Wuhan market animals may help find COVID-19 origin”

Debate churns over mining Pacific seabed for green-energy minerals

People from across the globe are convening on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City for Climate Week. On the agenda: the environmental impact of seabed mining. The discussion comes as tech companies seek ways to fuel the green revolution while minimizing environmental impacts. VOA’s Jessica Stone has more.] …

Baby hippo Moo Deng becomes internet sensation

CHONBURI, Thailand — Only a month after Thailand’s adorable baby hippo Moo Deng was unveiled on Facebook, her fame became unstoppable both domestically and internationally. Zookeeper Atthapon Nundee has been posting cute moments of the animals in his care for about five years. He never imagined Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s newborn pygmy hippo would become an … continue reading -> “Baby hippo Moo Deng becomes internet sensation”

California laws target deepfake political ads, disinformation

Africa needs its own medical research for its health issues, experts say

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — One of the hurdles to improving health care systems for African countries is the shortage of scientists and lack of meaningful medical research on the continent, experts say. An organization hopes to change that by enabling researchers and policymakers in three large African countries to develop more extensive and relevant research. According … continue reading -> “Africa needs its own medical research for its health issues, experts say”

Climate week talks to include critical minerals and seabed mining debate

Washington — When activists, policymakers and representatives from across the globe gather next week in New York to participate in climate week, one pressing issue on the agenda that is less frequently discussed and known will be the environmental impact of seabed mining.  As countries look for ways to lower emissions, critical minerals are playing a … continue reading -> “Climate week talks to include critical minerals and seabed mining debate”