China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon’s ‘hidden’ side

BEIJING — China will send a robotic spacecraft in coming days on a round trip to the moon’s far side in the first of three technically demanding missions that will pave the way for an inaugural Chinese crewed landing and a base on the lunar south pole. Since the first Chang’e mission in 2007, named after … continue reading -> “China set to launch high-stakes mission to moon’s ‘hidden’ side”

African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change 

HARARE — From ancient fertilizer methods in Zimbabwe to new greenhouse technology in Somalia, farmers across the heavily agriculture-reliant African continent are looking to the past and future to respond to climate change. Africa, with the world’s youngest population, faces the worst effects of a warming planet while contributing the least to the problem. Farmers are … continue reading -> “African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change “

Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left

LAGOS, Nigeria — When a small number of cases of locally transmitted malaria were found in the United States last year, it was a reminder that climate change is reviving or migrating the threat of some diseases. But across the African continent malaria has never left, killing or sickening millions of people. Take Funmilayo Kotun, a … continue reading -> “Climate change is bringing malaria to new areas. In Africa, it never left”

Instagram, YouTube, smaller rivals likely to get boost from TikTok ban

Georgia to host development summit; climate change, aging on agenda

SYDNEY — The Asian Development Bank holds its annual meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia, next week, with discussions on climate change and the world’s aging population high on the agenda. The four-day summit, starting Thursday, marks the first time that the ADB’s 68 members have gathered for a meeting in Georgia, which joined the multilateral development bank … continue reading -> “Georgia to host development summit; climate change, aging on agenda”

More US cows being tested, tracked in bid to stop bird flu

About 1 in 4 older US adults expect they will never retire

washington — About one-quarter of U.S. adults age 50 and older who are not yet retired say they expect to never retire, and 70% are concerned about prices rising faster than their income, an AARP survey finds. About 1 in 4 have no retirement savings, according to research released Wednesday by the organization that shows how … continue reading -> “About 1 in 4 older US adults expect they will never retire”

Public urged to join fight for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

sydney — Analysis of more than 25,000 images from divers, tourism operators and recreational boats on Australia’s annual Great Reef Census is getting under way. Now in its fourth year, one of the world’s fastest-growing conservation projects is helping to gauge the health and degradation of the world’s largest coral system, which is suffering from another … continue reading -> “Public urged to join fight for Australia’s Great Barrier Reef”

Namibia struggles with delay in rollout of HPV vaccine

FDA: US commercial milk supply safe despite discovery of bird flu virus fragments

Methane-measuring satellite could help slow global warming

Methane leaking from fossil fuel production is among the top contributors to climate change. Now a leading environmental scientist is hoping to provide more accurate and consistent findings of methane emissions with the launch of a technologically advanced satellite. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more. Arash Arabasadi contributed to this report. Camera: Adam Greenbaum …

Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone launch malaria vaccination programs

COTONOU, Benin — Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone launched large-scale malaria vaccine programs on Thursday under an Africa-focused initiative that hopes to save tens of thousands of children’s lives per year across Africa. The three West African countries are the latest to participate after successful rollouts of routine malaria immunization for children in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, … continue reading -> “Benin, Liberia and Sierra Leone launch malaria vaccination programs”

Nigerian company creates taxi system fueled by electric vehicles

As climate change wreaks havoc around the world, the need for sustainable solutions grows more urgent. In Nigeria, a private company recently introduced an Uber-style taxi system made of approximately 200 electric vehicles. The company says the fleet is a step toward a greener future. Gibson Emeka reports from Abuja, Nigeria. Amy Reifenrath narrates. …

Biden grants $6 billion to Micron to boost chip production

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden was in Syracuse, New York, Thursday to tout a deal to provide memory chip maker Micron Technology with $6.1 billion in federal grants to support the firm in building factories in the states of New York and Idaho. “We’re bringing advanced chip manufacturing back to America after 40 years,” Biden … continue reading -> “Biden grants $6 billion to Micron to boost chip production”

Malaria remains public health challenge in Kenya, but progress may be coming 

MIGORI, Kenya — As the coffin bearing the body of Rosebella Awuor was lowered into the grave, heart-wrenching sobs from mourners filled the air. Her sister Winnie Akinyi, the guardian to Awuor’s orphaned son, fell to the ground, wailing.  It was the latest of five deaths in this family attributed to malaria. The disease is common … continue reading -> “Malaria remains public health challenge in Kenya, but progress may be coming “

‘Extreme’ climate blamed for world’s worst wine harvest in 62 years

Paris, France — World wine production dropped 10 percent last year, the biggest fall in more than six decades, because of “extreme” climate changes, the body that monitors the trade said Thursday.   “Extreme environmental conditions” including droughts, fires and other problems with climate were mostly to blame for the drastic fall, said the International Organization of … continue reading -> “‘Extreme’ climate blamed for world’s worst wine harvest in 62 years”

US communications regulator restores net neutrality annulled under Trump

washington — The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to reinstate landmark net neutrality rules and reassume regulatory oversight of broadband internet rescinded under former President Donald Trump.  The commission voted along party lines to finalize a proposal first advanced in October to reinstate open internet rules adopted in 2015 and re-establish the commission’s … continue reading -> “US communications regulator restores net neutrality annulled under Trump”

CDC: US birth rate drops after slight post-COVID rebound

Pakistan’s Malaria Surge Linked to Climate Change

April 25 marks the global observance of World Malaria Day. Pakistan saw the world’s largest increase in malaria cases in 2022 following that year’s catastrophic flooding, according to the latest World Health Organization data. Experts say climate change was a factor. VOA’s Nazr Ul Islam’s visited a hospital in Islamabad and filed this report narrated … continue reading -> “Pakistan’s Malaria Surge Linked to Climate Change”

Russia blocks UN resolution on peaceful use of outer space

new york — Russia blocked a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday reaffirming the need to prevent a nuclear arms race in outer space. The measure was proposed jointly by the United States, a nuclear power, and Japan, the only nation ever to be attacked with nuclear bombs. “We have only begun to understand the catastrophic ramifications … continue reading -> “Russia blocks UN resolution on peaceful use of outer space”

EU launches investigation into Chinese medical device market

Japan’s moon lander still going after 3 lunar nights

TOKYO — Japan’s first moon lander has survived a third freezing lunar night, Japan’s space agency said Wednesday after receiving an image from the device three months after it landed on the moon. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency said the lunar probe responded to a signal from the earth Tuesday night, confirming it has survived another … continue reading -> “Japan’s moon lander still going after 3 lunar nights”

Generative AI threatens voter confidence in what’s real   

Artificial intelligence surrounds U.S. political life, from fundraising to campaign advertising. Some lawmakers are looking to better police the use of generative content in this year’s presidential election as they say it threatens voter confidence in what is real. VOA correspondent Scott Stearns reports. …

As plastic treaty talks open, countries more divided than ever

LogOn: Hologram-like experience allows people to connect

The Dutch company Holoconnects are experts in the field of holographic illusions and are now delivering life-size personal connections with a 2-meter-tall box that make it feel like the person you are talking to is physically present. Deana Mitchell has more from Austin, Texas in this week’s episode of LogOn. …