UNICEF’s Middle East director is calling Yemen one of the worst places on Earth to be a child and urging all involved in the fighting to let humanitarian aid keep coming in. Geert Cappelaere told reporters in Amman, Jordan, Sunday that UNICEF was able to get nearly 2 million doses …
your ad hereUNICEF: Vaccines Cargo to Blockaded Yemen Can’t be One-off
The U.N. child agency said Sunday that it has flown 1.9 million doses of vaccines to war-torn Yemen, its first aid delivery since a Saudi-led coalition fighting Shiite rebels tightened a sea and air blockade earlier this month. Regional UNICEF director Geert Cappelaere described Saturday’s shipment as a “very …
your ad hereDoes Cellphone-Sweeping ‘StingRay’ Technology Go Too Far?
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas are among scores of police departments across the country quietly using a highly secretive technology developed for the military that can track the whereabouts of suspects by using the signals constantly emitted by their cellphones. Civil liberties and privacy groups are …
your ad hereFor Cambodian Techies, US Tour Ends With Vision of Startup at Home
At home in Phnom Penh, the five techies knew of each other by reputation but had never met. After three weeks touring the United States, they’ve returned to Cambodia fired up about collaborating on a fintech startup. “Before, when I thought about a million-dollar business, it was only a dream,” …
your ad hereIn Fukushima Cleanup, It’s Human Nature vs. Science
More than six years after a tsunami overwhelmed the Fukushima nuclear power plant, Japan has yet to reach consensus on what to do with a million tons of radioactive water, stored on site in around 900 large and densely packed tanks that could spill should another major earthquake or tsunami …
your ad hereAfter the Wildfires, California Winemakers Open for Business
Wildfires that swept through Northern California in early October killed 42 people, destroyed hundreds of homes, and caused an estimated $6 billion in damage to the region. The fires have also frozen an income stream the region relies on: tourism. VOA’s Kevin Enochs reports. …
your ad hereResearchers Seek More Ways to Treat Opioid Addiction
The United States is suffering through an unprecedented wave of opioid and prescription drug abuse. Every day, an average of 91 Americans die from an opioid-related overdose. A new study comparing two of the top medications for treating addiction found they were equally safe and effective in curtailing opioid use, …
your ad hereUS Black Friday, Thanksgiving Online Sales Hit Record
Black Friday and Thanksgiving online sales in the United States surged to record highs as shoppers bagged deep discounts and bought more on their mobile devices, heralding a promising start to the key holiday season, according to retail analytics firms. U.S. retailers raked in a record $7.9 billion in online …
your ad hereJackman: After ‘Logan,’ ‘It’s Time to Leave the Party’
“I know Aussies are not known for leaving the party at the right time but (after) 17 years, it’s time to leave the party,” Hugh Jackman quipped as he talked about his last time playing X-Men superhero Wolverine in this year’s gritty action hit Logan. The Australian actor made his …
your ad hereOn Monday, Who’s the Boss at Consumer Rights Agency?
Who’s the boss? That’s the awkward question after the departing head of a government agency charged with looking after consumer rights appointed a deputy to temporarily fill his spot. The White House then named its own interim leader. One job, two people — and two very different views on how …
your ad hereBrazil President Has Angioplasty in 3 Arteries, Stent put in
Brazil’s President Michel Temer is recovering after undergoing a successful angioplasty in three coronary arteries. The presidential palace said Saturday that at least one stent was implanted in the procedure late Friday. It said Temer was recuperating in a hospital in Sao Paulo. The 77-year-old president was admitted to the …
your ad hereBookmaker Taking No Bets on When Prince Harry Will Wed
A major London bookmaker has suspended betting on whether Prince Harry will marry American actress Meghan Markle in 2018 amid rumors an engagement may be announced soon. Jessica Bridge of Ladbrokes said Friday that it seems an engagement announcement “is to be confirmed imminently.” The bookmaker has stopped taking bets …
your ad hereWhat’s On the Menu? Augmented Reality and 3-D Food Models
At Vino Levantino wine bar in New York City, the desserts are delicious but not always so straightforward. “We have a few desserts that are not usual … or people (are) not familiar with them,” owner Haim Amit said. “Like we have the kadaif, I mean, not everyone knows what’s …
your ad hereStartup Hopes to Show 3-D Versions of Menu Items
It’s not always easy to know what to order when dining out, especially with exotic or foreign cuisines. But a tech startup in New York is hoping to help, using augmented reality to bring restaurant menus to life. VOA’s Tina Trinh met with the founder of Kabaq …
your ad hereChinese Barber, Clients Swear by Eyelid Shave
Chinese street barber Xiong Gaowu deftly scrapes a straight razor along the inside of his customer’s eyelid. “You should be gentle, very, very gentle,” said Xiong, who performs traditional eyelid shaves at his roadside location in Chengdu, the capital of the southwestern province of Sichuan. Customers swear by the practice …
your ad hereHead of Consumer Watchdog Names Successor, Trump Names Another
The director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau resigned Friday and named his own successor, leading to an open conflict with President Donald Trump, who announced a different person as acting head of the agency later in the day. That means there are now effectively two acting directors of the …
your ad hereFighting Pollution, Plastics in Indonesia
Slowly but steadily, the consciousness about the need to protect and preserve the natural environment is rising all over the world. Grassroots initiatives get more coverage, and those involved in them say it feels good to be a part of a beneficial movement. VOA’s George Putic reports on two of …
your ad hereTrump Wants to End Welfare of Clinton Era
Overhauling welfare was one of the defining goals of Bill Clinton’s presidency, starting with a campaign promise to “end welfare as we know it,” continuing with a bitter policy fight and producing change that remains hotly debated 20 years later. Now, President Donald Trump wants to put his stamp on …
your ad hereEven in Amazon Era, Black Friday Shows Stores Are Alive
Retailers worked hard to attract shoppers to stores on Black Friday, offering in-person deals meant to counter the ease of shopping online. A better economy helped, to be sure, but stores have also tried to improve the store experience and offer better service. They’ve also made a big push toward …
your ad hereMexico Creates Marine Reserve Around Islands Called ‘Galapagos of North America’
Mexico’s government has created a marine park the size of Illinois in the Pacific, the largest ocean reserve in North America for the conservation of giant rays, whales and turtles, including dozens of species endemic to the area. Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto designated on Friday the Revillagigedo Archipelago, located …
your ad hereTop 5 Songs for Week Ending Nov. 25
We’re feasting on the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending Nov. 25, 2017. It’s Thanksgiving week, and right on schedule, the chart sends us a tasty new title. Number 5: Imagine Dragons “Thunder” Let’s begin in fifth place, where Imagine …
your ad hereAmazon Workers in Germany, Italy Stage Black Friday Strike
Workers at a half dozen Amazon distribution centers in Germany and one in Italy walked off the job Friday, in a protest timed to coincide with Black Friday to demand better wages from the American online giant. In Germany, Ver.di union spokesman Thomas Voss said some 2,500 workers were on …
your ad hereTrump Complains That Players Are ‘Boss’ In NFL
President Donald Trump is continuing to rail against football players who kneel during the National Anthem to protest racism and police brutality. Trump asks his followers in a Black Friday tweet: “Can you believe that the disrespect for our Country, our Flag, our Anthem continues without penalty to the players.” …
your ad hereMost Ocean Plastic Pollution Carried by 10 Rivers
The equivalent of one garbage truck full of plastic waste is dumped into the world’s oceans every minute, equal to 8 million tons a year. New research suggests that 90 percent of that waste gets into the oceans through 10 major river systems. “It seems that larger rivers preferentially transport …
your ad hereScientists: Rivers in Africa, Asia Responsible for Most Ocean Plastic Waste
The equivalent of one garbage truck full of waste plastic is dumped into the world’s oceans every minute – or 8 million metric tons a year. New research suggests that the vast majority of that waste is transported to the oceans by just a handful of major river systems – …
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