Google says Iranian group trying to hack US presidential campaigns

NEW YORK — Google said Wednesday that an Iranian group linked to the country’s Revolutionary Guard had tried to infiltrate the personal email accounts of roughly a dozen people linked to President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump since May.  The tech company’s threat intelligence arm said the group was still actively targeting people associated … continue reading -> “Google says Iranian group trying to hack US presidential campaigns”

WHO declares mpox a global public health emergency

Alleged leader of cybercriminals extradited to US

Biden strikes $150M blow against cancer in campaign to slash deaths

washington — President Joe Biden on Tuesday visited Louisiana’s infamous “Cancer Alley” to strike at what he identified as a top priority of his dwindling presidency: announcing $150 million in research funding toward the goal of dramatically reducing cancer deaths in the United States. The Cancer Moonshot is an initiative close to Biden’s heart. Both he … continue reading -> “Biden strikes $150M blow against cancer in campaign to slash deaths”

Older Americans prepare for world altered by artificial intelligence 

Africa public health body declares mpox emergency

Australian researchers herald new groundbreaking diabetes drug

SYDNEY — Researchers in Australia have developed a drug that could revolutionize treatment for millions of diabetes patients around the world.   Scientists in the U.S., China and Australia are designing treatments that imitate the body’s natural response to changing blood glucose, or sugar, levels and respond instantly.   The Australian team is handling one of … continue reading -> “Australian researchers herald new groundbreaking diabetes drug”

Ocean could lie beneath Mars’ surface, study says

New Zealand to loosen gene editing regulation, make commercialization easier

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The New Zealand government said Tuesday that it would introduce new legislation to make it easier for companies and researchers to develop and commercialize products using gene technologies such as gene editing.  Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins said in a statement that rules and time-consuming processes have made research outside … continue reading -> “New Zealand to loosen gene editing regulation, make commercialization easier”

Zimbabwe government declares end to latest cholera outbreak

Harare — Zimbabwean authorities recently declared the end of a cholera outbreak which lasted nearly 18 months, but public health experts say the conditions which caused the waterborne disease still exist and need urgent attention. After battling a cholera outbreak which began in February of last year, Zimbabwe gave the ‘all clear’ after saying no new … continue reading -> “Zimbabwe government declares end to latest cholera outbreak”

China test-flies biggest cargo drone as low-altitude economy takes off

beijing — Engineers sent China’s biggest-yet cargo drone on a test run over the weekend while a helicopter taxi took to the skies on a soon-to-open 100-km route to Shanghai, laying new milestones for the country’s expanding low-altitude economy. Packing a payload capacity of 2 metric tons, the twin-engine aircraft took off on Sunday on an inaugural flight, state … continue reading -> “China test-flies biggest cargo drone as low-altitude economy takes off”

Addictions on the rise in wartime Israel

Beersheba, Israel — At 19, Yoni, an Israeli man, has to put aside his plans to join the military and instead enter rehab for drug abuse that has worsened since Hamas’ October 7 attack. Health professionals said Yoni’s case is not an exception in wartime Israel, noting a surge in drug and alcohol abuse as well … continue reading -> “Addictions on the rise in wartime Israel”

US abortion numbers rise since Roe was overturned, study finds

Namibian occupational therapists assist children with mental health

Windhoek, Namibia — Poverty, family dysfunction, hopelessness and learning challenges are among the reasons children, sometimes as young as 9, take their own lives. The Namibia Association of Occupational Therapists on Saturday brought together children, parents, and health care workers to teach children how to cope and adapt into adulthood. When Samuel Njambali was 11 years … continue reading -> “Namibian occupational therapists assist children with mental health”

Mars and Jupiter get chummy in the night sky

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — Mars and Jupiter are cozying up in the night sky for their closest rendezvous this decade. They’ll be so close Wednesday, at least from our perspective, that just a sliver of moon could fit between them. In reality, our solar system’s biggest planet and its dimmer, reddish neighbor will be more than … continue reading -> “Mars and Jupiter get chummy in the night sky”

China’s drivers fret as robotaxis pick up pace – and passengers

WUHAN, China — Liu Yi is among China’s 7 million ride-hailing drivers. A 36-year-old Wuhan resident, he started driving part-time this year when construction work slowed in the face of a nationwide glut of unsold apartments. Now he predicts another crisis as he stands next to his car watching neighbors order driverless taxis. “Everyone will go … continue reading -> “China’s drivers fret as robotaxis pick up pace – and passengers”

Sex eligibility rules for female athletes are complex, legally difficult

PARIS — Women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics has highlighted the complexity of drafting and enforcing sex eligibility rules for women’s sports and how athletes like Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan are left vulnerable in the fallout. When eligibility for women’s events has come into question, it often has been a legally … continue reading -> “Sex eligibility rules for female athletes are complex, legally difficult”

How Maui’s 151-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after fire

LAHAINA, Hawaii — When a deadly wildfire tore through Lahaina on Maui last August, the wall of flames scorched the 151-year-old banyan tree along the historic town’s Front Street. But the sprawling tree survived the blaze, and thanks to the efforts of arborists and dedicated volunteers, parts of it are growing back — and even thriving. … continue reading -> “How Maui’s 151-year-old banyan tree is coming back to life after fire”

US declines to approve first MDMA-based PTSD treatment 

Central Asia leaders call for joint policy on water issues

Almaty, Kazakhstan — Central Asian leaders met in Kazakhstan on Friday seeking to agree on a shared policy on water management in a region where the scarce resource causes frequent disputes. Interruptions to water supplies are a regular occurrence in the five ex-Soviet Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan – whose territory … continue reading -> “Central Asia leaders call for joint policy on water issues”

Flying electric taxis, personal aircraft prepare for takeoff

Flying cars, long the dream of futurists, may finally be here. From California, Matt Dibble has our story about the rise of electric aircraft. …

UN: Climate change wreaks havoc through large parts of Africa

GENEVA — United Nations aid agencies warn climate change is wreaking havoc throughout large parts of eastern and southern Africa, worsening the plight of millions of people struggling to survive conflict, poverty, hunger and disease. Since mid-April, El Nino-related heavy rainfall has led to extreme weather events across East Africa, including flooding, landslides, violent winds and … continue reading -> “UN: Climate change wreaks havoc through large parts of Africa”

UN approves its first treaty targeting cybercrime

United Nations — U.N. member states on Thursday approved a treaty targeting cybercrime, the body’s first such text, despite fierce opposition from human rights activists who have warned of potential surveillance dangers. After three years of negotiations and a final two-week session in New York, members approved the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime by consensus, and … continue reading -> “UN approves its first treaty targeting cybercrime”

Microsoft: Iran accelerating cyber activity in apparent bid to influence US election

NEW YORK — Iran is ramping up online activity that appears intended to influence the upcoming U.S. election, in one case targeting a presidential campaign with an email phishing attack, Microsoft said Friday. Iranian actors also have spent recent months creating fake news sites and impersonating activists, laying the groundwork to stoke division and potentially sway … continue reading -> “Microsoft: Iran accelerating cyber activity in apparent bid to influence US election”