US suicides in 2023 still at highest level in nation’s history, says data
new york — U.S. suicides last year remained at about the highest level in the nation’s history, preliminary data suggests. A little more than 49,300 suicide deaths were reported in 2023, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease…
Alcohol-free beer is gaining popularity, even at Oktoberfest
MUNICH — The head brewmaster for Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest brewery, has a secret: He really likes alcohol-free beer. Even though he’s quick to say he obviously enjoys real beer more, Tobias Zollo says he savors alcohol-free beer when he’s…
In US, it’s time to roll up sleeves for new COVID, flu shots
WASHINGTON — Fall means it’s time for just about everybody to get up to date on their flu and COVID-19 vaccines – and a lot of older adults also need protection against another risky winter virus, RSV. Yes, you can…
SpaceX launches rescue mission for 2 NASA astronauts stranded in space
CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida — SpaceX launched a rescue mission for the two stuck astronauts at the International Space Station on Saturday, sending up a downsized crew to bring them home but not until next year. The capsule rocketed into orbit…
Rare condor hatched, raised by foster parents in captivity, freed to live wild
By all accounts, Milagra the “miracle” California condor shouldn’t be alive today. But now at nearly 17 months old, she is one of three of the giant endangered birds who stretched their wings in the wild as part of a…
Marburg virus kills 6 in Rwanda, health minister says
KIGALI, Rwanda — Rwanda has confirmed six deaths and 20 cases of Marburg disease, the country’s health minister Sabin Nsanzimana said late on Saturday. The majority of victims are health workers in the intensive care unit, Nsanzimana said in a…
At UN, Russian foreign minister dismisses Zelenskyy’s peace plan as ‘doomed’
united nations — Russia’s foreign minister reinforced the Kremlin’s disagreements with the West in his United Nations General Assembly remarks Saturday and showed no interest in a genuine peace with Ukraine. “I’m not going to talk here about the senselessness…
Zelenskyy says Trump assured him of support for Ukraine in war with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in an interview with Fox News aired on Saturday, said he received “very direct information” from Donald Trump that the former U.S. president would support Ukraine in the war against Russia if he is reelected in…
US town divided by factory deal as candidates compete to be toughest on China
In the American Midwest, a local fight over a Chinese electric vehicle battery factory reflects broader controversy over Chinese investments in the U.S. VOA’s Calla Yu reports on how the issue of U.S.-China competition is playing out in a small…
China warns against ‘expansion’ of Ukraine war
United Nations — China ‘s Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned Saturday against the expansion of the war in Ukraine, which has accused Beijing of assisting Russia in its war. Kyiv has been particularly scornful of Beijing’s calls for talks to…