Great Barrier Reef waters spike to hottest in 400 years, study finds
WASHINGTON — Ocean temperatures in the Great Barrier Reef hit their highest level in 400 years over the past decade, according to researchers who warned that the reef likely won’t survive if planetary warming isn’t stopped. During that time, between…
WHO calls emergency meeting on mpox spread
Geneva — World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called an “emergency” meeting of international experts amidst growing worries over the mpox virus. With mpox spreading outside of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tedros said the WHO emergency…
Rural South Africans flock to Chinese classes
China’s Confucius Institutes teach Chinese around the world, but there’s more to them than that. VOA’s Kate Bartlett visited a new one that is hundreds of kilometers outside the capital in rural South Africa that’s also focusing on green technology….
Tropical Storm Debby expected to make landfall in South Carolina again
white house — Tropical Storm Debby is expected to make landfall for a second time in South Carolina late Wednesday or early Thursday, having taken the lives of six people earlier in the week. The storm hit the southeast United…
More than 120 people die in Tokyo from heatstroke in July
TOKYO — More than 120 people died of heatstroke in the Tokyo metropolitan area in July, when the nation’s average temperature hit record highs and heat warnings were in effect much of the month, Japanese authorities said Tuesday. According to…
NASA delays next crew launch to buy more time at space station for Boeing’s troubled capsule
NASA is delaying its next astronaut launch to buy more time at the International Space Station for Boeing’s troubled new crew capsule. The space agency said Tuesday it is bumping SpaceX’s four-person flight from this month to next. It’s now…
WHO: Governments unprepared to combat global COVID-19 surge
Geneva — The World Health Organization is warning that governments throughout the world are unprepared to combat the global surge of COVID-19, which is putting millions of people at risk of severe disease and death. “COVID-19 is still very much…
US-Australia talks focus on China’s ‘coercive behavior,’ climate change
WASHINGTON/SYDNEY — The United States and Australia kicked off high-level talks Tuesday that will focus on China’s “coercive behavior,” as well as the AUKUS nuclear submarine project, mounting tensions in the Middle East and climate change, officials said. The annual…
Historic space mission commander tours South African schools
Esteemed American astronaut, geoscience professor and artist Sian Proctor is touring South African schools to emphasize the importance of education in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. Her goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in the sciences and…
UN agency raises 20% of needed African drought aid
HARARE, Zimbabwe — The U.N. World Food Program has faced challenges in raising $400 million for its Southern Africa drought response, collecting just one-fifth of what it needs to help seven countries in the region, a WFP spokesperson said on…