Genome study deepens mystery of what doomed Earth’s last mammoths

Antelope poaching on rise in South Sudan

BADINGILO and BOMA NATIONAL PARKS, South Sudan — Seen from the air, they ripple across the landscape — a river of antelope racing across the vast grasslands of South Sudan in what conservationists say is the world’s largest land mammal migration. The country’s first comprehensive aerial wildlife survey, released Tuesday, found about 6 million antelope. The … continue reading -> “Antelope poaching on rise in South Sudan”

Beryl strengthens into a hurricane, forecast to become major storm

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Beryl strengthened into a hurricane Saturday as it churned toward the southeast Caribbean, with forecasters warning it was expected to strengthen into a dangerous major hurricane before reaching Barbados late Sunday or early Monday.  A major hurricane is considered a Category 3 or higher, with winds of at least 178 kph. … continue reading -> “Beryl strengthens into a hurricane, forecast to become major storm”

Palestinians face summer heat surrounded by sewage, garbage

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza — Children in sandals trudge through water contaminated with sewage and scale growing mounds of garbage in Gaza’s crowded tent camps for displaced families. People relieve themselves in burlap-covered pits, with nowhere nearby to wash their hands. In the stifling summer heat, Palestinians say the odor and filth surrounding them is just another … continue reading -> “Palestinians face summer heat surrounded by sewage, garbage”

More African nations focus on HPV vaccination against cervical cancer

ABUJA, Nigeria — Yunusa Bawa spends a lot of time talking about the vaccine for the human papillomavirus that is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. But on most days, only two or three people allow their daughters to be vaccinated in the rural part of Nigeria where he works. The challenge in Sabo … continue reading -> “More African nations focus on HPV vaccination against cervical cancer”

NASA astronauts to stay aboard ISS longer, troubleshooting Boeing capsule

Nigerian ginger farmers struggle after outbreak of disease

Nigeria is one of the world’s leading producers of ginger, but a massive outbreak of fungal disease last year caused millions of dollars of damage. The Nigerian government has launched an emergency recovery intervention to help ginger farmers. Timothy Obiezu reports from Kaduna. …

CDC recommends updated COVID shots for everyone older than 6 months

Russian satellite breaks up, forces space station astronauts to shelter

WASHINGTON — A defunct Russian satellite has broken up into more than 100 pieces of debris in orbit, forcing astronauts on the International Space Station to take shelter for about an hour and adding to the mass of space junk already in orbit, U.S. space agencies said.  There were no immediate details on what caused the … continue reading -> “Russian satellite breaks up, forces space station astronauts to shelter”

Drivers in cities around globe facing more traffic jams, study finds

Boeing’s Starliner strands astronauts in space

Two NASA astronauts are stranded in space with no return date set. Plus, a new climate satellite launches into orbit, and a human-made creepy crawler looks to explore Mars. VOA’s Arash Arabasadi brings us The Week in Space. …

Canada’s 2023 fires spewed more heat-trapping gas than millions of cars

WASHINGTON — Catastrophic Canadian wildfires last year pumped more heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the air than India did by burning fossil fuels, setting ablaze an area of forest larger than the U.S. state of West Virginia, new research finds. Scientists at the World Resources Institute and the University of Maryland calculated how devastating the impacts were … continue reading -> “Canada’s 2023 fires spewed more heat-trapping gas than millions of cars”

Indonesia aims to build cutting-edge spaceport but faces obstacles

Jakarta, Indonesia — Indonesia aims to launch 19 satellites into low-Earth orbit next year, part of an ambitious plan to move the country into the forefront of the world’s growing space industry and reduce its reliance on other countries for its satellite data. The broader program, known as the 2045 space map, is set to begin … continue reading -> “Indonesia aims to build cutting-edge spaceport but faces obstacles”

Supreme Court halts enforcement of the EPA’s plan to limit downwind pollution from power plants

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is putting the Environmental Protection Agency’s air pollution-fighting “good neighbor” plan on hold while legal challenges continue, the conservative-led court’s latest blow to federal regulations. The justices in a 5-4 vote on Thursday rejected arguments by the Biden administration and Democratic-controlled states that the plan was cutting air pollution and saving … continue reading -> “Supreme Court halts enforcement of the EPA’s plan to limit downwind pollution from power plants”

2 pandas en route from China to US under conservation partnership

SAN DIEGO — A pair of giant pandas are on their way from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two nations, officials said Wednesday. Officials with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance were on hand in China for … continue reading -> “2 pandas en route from China to US under conservation partnership”

US health agency issues dengue virus infection advisory

Hilton tells Congress youth care programs need more oversight

WASHINGTON — Reality TV star Paris Hilton called for greater federal oversight of youth care programs at a U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing on Wednesday as she described her traumatic experience in youth care facilities. Hilton, 43, the great-granddaughter of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton, has spoken publicly about the emotional and physical abuse she … continue reading -> “Hilton tells Congress youth care programs need more oversight”

Report: Supreme Court seems poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court appears poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho when a pregnant patient’s health is at serious risk, according to Bloomberg News, which said a copy of the opinion was briefly posted Wednesday on the court’s website.  The document suggests the court will conclude that it should not have gotten involved in … continue reading -> “Report: Supreme Court seems poised to allow emergency abortions in Idaho”

Nigeria declares cholera crisis, launches emergency measures

WHO: 3 million die each year from drugs, alcohol

US Surgeon General declares firearm violence a ‘public health crisis’

Historic Chinese lunar probe returns to Earth

2 years after Roe overturned, abortion decision reverberates