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”

Companies’ use of employee-monitoring software can have negative effects

Some bosses might want all their workers back in the office, but a clear majority of U.S. workers crave the flexibility of remote or hybrid jobs. And studies have found that such work, if managed well, will not harm a company’s culture or capability to innovate. But some companies concerned about productivity are using software … continue reading -> “Companies’ use of employee-monitoring software can have negative effects”

Cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed 22 people, health minister says

Cairo — Sudan has been stricken by a cholera outbreak that has killed nearly two dozen people and sickened hundreds more in recent weeks, health authorities said Sunday. The African nation has been roiled by a 16-month conflict and devastating floods.   Health Minister Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim said in a statement that at least 22 people … continue reading -> “Cholera outbreak in Sudan has killed 22 people, health minister says”

Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes off coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region

moscow — A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Russia’s far-eastern Kamchatka Peninsula early Sunday morning local time, according to the regional earthquake monitoring service. The local emergencies ministry said tremors were felt along the coast including in the region’s capital Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. “Operational teams of rescuers and firefighters are inspecting buildings,” the regional branch … continue reading -> “Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes off coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region”

Rare deep-sea oarfish found in California, scientists want to know why

SAN DIEGO — A rarely seen deep-sea fish resembling a serpent was found floating dead on the ocean surface off the San Diego coast and was brought ashore for study, marine experts said.  The silvery, 12-foot-long (3.6-meter) oarfish was found last weekend by a group of snorkelers and kayakers in La Jolla Cove, north of downtown … continue reading -> “Rare deep-sea oarfish found in California, scientists want to know why”

Eswatini turns to nuclear technology to transform agriculture, health care, energy

Manzini, Eswatini — Eswatini has launched an initiative to achieve sustainable development by harnessing the power of nuclear technology in such sectors as agriculture, health and energy planning. The plan was developed with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The aim of the Country Program Framework, or CPF, launched two weeks ago by Eswatini … continue reading -> “Eswatini turns to nuclear technology to transform agriculture, health care, energy”

Nigeria records mpox cases amid global health emergency

ABUJA, NIGERIA — Barely 48 hours after the World Health Organization declared mpox a global health emergency, Nigeria went on high alert Friday, announcing new mpox cases and raising concerns about the country’s ability to contain the outbreak. The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or NCDC, said it has recorded 39 cases of mpox … continue reading -> “Nigeria records mpox cases amid global health emergency”

DR Congo’s humanitarian crisis helped mpox spiral into a global health emergency

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo — Sarah Bagheni had a headache, fever, and itchy and unusual skin lesions for days, but she had no inkling that her symptoms might have been caused by mpox and that she might be another case in a growing global health emergency.  She also has no idea where to go to … continue reading -> “DR Congo’s humanitarian crisis helped mpox spiral into a global health emergency”

Europe warned to prepare for mpox as Pakistan reports first case

Stockholm — Health authorities warned Friday that Europe must be ready for more cases of a deadly strain of mpox that has killed hundreds of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The World Health Organization urged pharmaceutical firms to ramp up vaccine production and China said it would screen travelers for the disease after the … continue reading -> “Europe warned to prepare for mpox as Pakistan reports first case”

Polio confirmed in Gaza; UN chief calls for cease-fires for vaccinations 

COVID-19 cases in US surge; experts suggest keeping vaccinations current

Al-Shabab ‘bans’ tree-cutting — but not to save the environment

Nigeria on ‘high alert’ amid surging cases of mpox in Africa

Abuja, Nigeria — Nigerian authorities on Thursday placed key entry points into the country on high alert following the outbreak of the mpox virus in Africa. Authorities have also put nine Nigerian states, including the commercial hub, Lagos, and the capital, Abuja, under serious surveillance. The Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention told journalists that … continue reading -> “Nigeria on ‘high alert’ amid surging cases of mpox in Africa”

US climate agency: Last month hottest July on record

Mpox virus now in Pakistan, health authorities say

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistan’s health ministry has confirmed at least one case of the mpox virus in a patient who had returned from a Gulf country, it said on Friday, as provincial health authorities reported they had detected three cases. A health ministry spokesperson said the sequencing of the confirmed case was under way, and that … continue reading -> “Mpox virus now in Pakistan, health authorities say”

Restaurant with robot servers causes excitement in Nairobi     

In Nairobi, a new restaurant is generating business and buzz – not just because of the food, but because of the staff. Robots serving dishes is the main attraction of diners who flock to the Robot Cafe. Juma Majanga reports. Camera: Jimmy Makhulo. …

Sweden confirms first case of contagious mpox strain outside Africa

Africa seeks digital solutions for better revenue collection

August’s supermoon kicks off four months of lunar spectacles

cape canaveral, florida — The first of four supermoons this year rises next week, providing tantalizing views of Earth’s constant companion. Stargazers can catch the first act Monday as the full moon inches a little closer than usual, making it appear slightly bigger and brighter in the night sky. “I like to think of the supermoon … continue reading -> “August’s supermoon kicks off four months of lunar spectacles”

Pakistanis frustrated by slowdown in internet service

islamabad — From sharing memes to sealing deals, millions of Pakistanis are struggling to communicate digitally as internet and data services have slowed down across much of the country.  Officials are blaming internet service providers for the slowdown, but media reports indicate the problem may stem from the deployment of a nationwide internet firewall aimed at … continue reading -> “Pakistanis frustrated by slowdown in internet service”