Disposable vape products creating worldwide pollution

The rapid rise in disposable electronic cigarette, or vape, usage is creating a tidal wave of pollution, and it’s raising serious environmental concerns. Aron Ranen reports from New York City about one woman who is trying to make a difference. …

China robot conference spotlights the changing face of humanoids

Beijing — As China seeks to race ahead in humanoid robot development, its supply chains showcased cheaper and innovative parts at the world robot conference in Beijing, but some executives warn the industry has yet to improve product reliability. Wisson Technology (Shenzhen), known for its flexible robotic manipulators, doesn’t depend on motors and reducers – transmission … continue reading -> “China robot conference spotlights the changing face of humanoids”

Congo-Brazzaville reports 21 mpox cases

Brazzaville, Congo — Twenty-one cases of mpox have been recorded in Congo-Brazzaville, the country’s health minister told state television Sunday. Gilbert Mokoki said that the central African country had “registered 158 suspect cases” since the beginning of the year, “21 of which we have confirmed.” The latest two were reported Thursday, he said. Cases of the … continue reading -> “Congo-Brazzaville reports 21 mpox cases”

Gynecologists, patients focus on making procedures less painful

CEO of Telegram messaging app arrested in France, say French media

paris — Pavel Durov, billionaire founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, was arrested at the Bourget airport outside Paris on Saturday evening, TF1 TV and BFM TV said, citing unnamed sources.  Telegram, particularly influential in Russia, Ukraine and the republics of the former Soviet Union, is ranked as one of the major social media … continue reading -> “CEO of Telegram messaging app arrested in France, say French media”

Fauci recovering at home after being hospitalized for West Nile virus

Cholera poses new risks for millions of Sudan’s displaced

GENEVA — U.N. agencies are scaling up cholera prevention and treatment programs to get on top of a new, deadly cholera outbreak in Sudan that threatens to further destabilize communities suffering from hunger and the ill effects of more than 16 months of conflict. The recent cholera outbreak has resurged after several weeks of heavy rainfall … continue reading -> “Cholera poses new risks for millions of Sudan’s displaced”

Chinese entities turn to Amazon cloud, rivals to access US chips, AI

BEIJING/SINGAPORE/NEW YORK — State-linked Chinese entities are using cloud services provided by Amazon or its rivals to access advanced U.S. chips and artificial intelligence capabilities that they cannot acquire otherwise, recent public tender documents showed. The U.S. government has restricted the export of high-end AI chips to China over the past two years, citing the need … continue reading -> “Chinese entities turn to Amazon cloud, rivals to access US chips, AI”

Iranian groups suspected in Trump campaign hack have dangerous history, deep expertise

US scientists hunt for answers as bird flu outbreak spreads among cows

Cholera spreads as Sudan grapples with rains and displacement

Port Sudan — For the second consecutive year Sudan is in the grip of a cholera outbreak that has left at least 28 people dead in the last month as rains fall in areas crammed with those fleeing the country’s 16-month-old war, officials said. Since July 22, when the current wave began, 658 cases of cholera … continue reading -> “Cholera spreads as Sudan grapples with rains and displacement”

Second set of giant panda cubs born in Berlin

BERLIN — The Berlin Zoo announced Friday that longtime resident giant panda Meng Meng has given birth to twins — for a second time. The cubs were born on Thursday, the zoo said in a statement. They were born only 11 days after ultrasound scans showed that Meng Meng, 11, was pregnant. Their sex has not … continue reading -> “Second set of giant panda cubs born in Berlin”

Volcano in Iceland erupts for sixth time since December

COPENHAGEN, denmark — A volcano in southwestern Iceland erupted on Thursday, the meteorological office said, spraying red-hot lava and smoke in its sixth outbreak since December. “An eruption has begun. Work is under way to find out the location of the recordings,” the Icelandic Met Office, which is tasked with monitoring volcanoes, said in a statement. … continue reading -> “Volcano in Iceland erupts for sixth time since December”

Growth of rooftop solar power generation threatens grid in Pakistan

A green revolution is sweeping Pakistan as consumers switch to generating their own solar electricity. But as VOA Pakistan bureau chief Sarah Zaman reports, the move to the increasingly affordable, green option may also cause a crisis for the national grid. Videographer: Wajid Asad …

Thailand reports suspected first case of new, menacing mpox variant

US official holds talks in Africa on responsible use of military AI

Abuja, Nigeria — A U.S. State Department official was in Nigeria this week to meet with local and regional authorities about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in military applications. Mallory Stewart, assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability, said her two-day visit with Nigerian officials from the regional bloc … continue reading -> “US official holds talks in Africa on responsible use of military AI”

Thailand says mpox case recorded in traveler from Africa 

BANGKOK — Thailand has detected an mpox case in a European man who arrived from Africa last week and is awaiting test results to determine the strain, a disease control official said on Wednesday.   Thai authorities were treating the case as if it were the Clade 1 form of mpox, as the person, a 66-year-old … continue reading -> “Thailand says mpox case recorded in traveler from Africa “

US appeals court revives Google privacy class action lawsuit

Palestinians appeal to Israeli court about water shortage

Palestinian residents of a Jerusalem neighborhood have appealed to the Israeli Supreme Court demanding they be supplied with more water. The 120,000 residents of the area say they receive water only three hours a week. Linda Gradstein reports for VOA from Kufr Aqab. Camera: Ricki Rosen. …

Botswana begins mpox screening at entry points

Gaborone, Botswana — Health officials in Botswana have started screening travelers for mpox at the country’s entry points.  Neighboring South Africa has recorded three deaths as a result of the dangerous strain of mpox, and Botswana is anxious to keep out the rapidly spreading disease. “Although we have not recorded any case of mpox in Botswana, … continue reading -> “Botswana begins mpox screening at entry points”

WHO official: Mpox is not the new COVID

Berlin — A World Health Organization official stressed on Tuesday that mpox, regardless of whether it is the new or old strain, is not the new COVID, as authorities know how to control its spread. “We can and must tackle mpox together,” said Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, in a U.N. media briefing. “So … continue reading -> “WHO official: Mpox is not the new COVID”

Officials: Pakistan mpox strain is different from DRC strain

Tech innovations offer hope for overburdened Africa health care system

Nairobi, Kenya — Overcrowding in African hospitals is blamed on the scarcity of health facilities and doctors, especially in rural areas. According to the United Nations, there is only one doctor for every 5,000 people in Africa, a continent that bears 25% of the global disease burden. But with the number of mobile phone users on … continue reading -> “Tech innovations offer hope for overburdened Africa health care system”