An “abnormal situation” occurred at Russia’s Luna-25 spacecraft Saturday as it was preparing to transfer to its pre-landing orbit, Russia’s national space agency Roskosmos said. The Russian spacecraft is scheduled to land on the south pole of the moon Monday, part of a big power race to explore a part …
your ad hereIran Directors Ridicule Suspended Jail Sentence of Filmmaker, Producer
Iranian cinema directors have ridiculed a six-month suspended prison sentence handed down to Saeed Roustayi and his producer for showcasing their movie at last year’s Cannes Film Festival without authorization, saying the move was designed to divert attention from the upcoming anniversary of the eruption of nationwide protests. They also …
your ad hereStem Cells From One Eye Show Promise Healing Injuries in the Other
Phil Durst recalled clawing at his face after a chemical from a commercial dishwashing machine squirted into his eyes, causing “the most indescribable pain I’ve ever felt — ever, ever, ever.” His left eye bore the brunt of the 2017 work accident, which stole his vision, left him unable to …
your ad hereJapan’s Kishida to Visit Fukushima Plant Before Deciding Date for Controversial Water Release
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he will visit the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant on Sunday before setting a release date for its treated radioactive wastewater, as his government continues working to promote understanding over the controversial plan at home and abroad. “The government has reached the final stage where …
your ad hereSwiss National Arrested in Myanmar for Allegedly Insulting Buddhism in Film
A Swiss citizen was arrested in military-ruled Myanmar for creating a film that allegedly insulted Buddhism, state media reported Saturday. Didier Nusbaumer, 52, was arrested on Aug. 8 along with 13 Myanmar nationals, including a 12-year-old girl, Myanma Alinn newspaper said. Insulting Buddhism is a punishable offense in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, …
your ad hereWHO, US Health Authorities Tracking New COVID-19 Variant
The World Health Organization and U.S. health authorities said Friday they are closely monitoring a new variant of COVID-19, although the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently unknown. The WHO classified the new variant as one under surveillance “due to the large number (more than 30) of spike gene mutations …
your ad here‘I Am Evil’: British Nurse Murdered Seven Newborn Babies
A British nurse who described herself as a “horrible evil person” was found guilty on Friday of murdering seven newborn babies and trying to kill another six in the neonatal unit of a hospital in northwest England where she worked. Lucy Letby, 33, was convicted of killing five baby boys …
your ad hereRestoring Coral Reefs to Help Save the Planet
With warming ocean waters threatening much of the world’s coral reefs, some ecologists are using simple technology to help restore them. VOA’s Julie Taboh has more. …
your ad hereIndia Closes in on Moon Landing as Russia Also Races to Lunar South Pole
India’s space agency on Friday released images of the moon taken from its Chandrayaan-3 space craft as it approaches the lunar south pole, a previously unexplored region thought to contain water ice where Russia is trying to land first. The video, taken on Thursday just after the separation of the …
your ad hereComics Helping Overcome Anxieties, Trauma
Comic books can be a great way to help people work through emotional trauma. For VOA, Genia Dulot reports on comics that encourage children and adults to share their feelings and address issues of mental health …
your ad hereTaekwondo Athletes Appear to be North Korea’s First Delegation to Travel Since Border Closed in 2020
North Korean taekwondo athletes and officials were traveling through Beijing on Friday morning, apparently the country’s first delegation to travel abroad since the nation closed its borders in early 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The group of around 80 men and women wearing white track suits with …
your ad hereAustralia, Sweden to Compete for 3rd Place at Women’s World Cup
Australia already captivated a nation as co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup. Now there’s one more thing to play for, even if it’s not the fairytale ending the team had wanted for this tournament. The Matildas play Sweden on Saturday for third place in Brisbane. Australia lost 3-1 to England …
your ad hereProgress Toward Parity for Women on Movie Screens Has Stalled, Report Finds
A new study on inclusion in film shows just how much of a rarity Barbie is. For every woman as a speaking character in the most popular films of 2022, there were more than two men, according to report by University of Southern California’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. The USC report, …
your ad hereMental Health Experts Try to Help Maui Fire Survivors Cope
The evacuation center at the South Maui Community Park & Gymnasium is now Anne Landon’s safe space. She has a cot and access to food, water, showers, books and even puzzles that bring people together to pass the evening hours. But all it took was a strong wind gust for …
your ad hereOscar-Winning American Backs Petition Against Iran Film Director’s Jailing
Martin Scorsese has backed a petition against the jailing of prominent Iranian movie director Saeed Roustaee for screening a film at the Cannes Film Festival. Scorsese, the Oscar-winning director of “Taxi Driver” and “Goodfellas,” reposted a campaign launched by his daughter Francesca this week after news of Roustaee’s prison sentence …
your ad hereYoung Entrepreneurs in Nigeria Drive Green Innovation
Pollution from discarded plastic, metals and other items is a persistent problem in Nigeria. Some young people are doing what they can to clean up the trash and make strides toward sustainable development. Gibson Emeka has this story from Abuja, Nigeria, narrated by Salem Solomon. …
your ad hereRussia Fines Google $32,000 for Videos About Ukraine Conflict
A Russian court on Thursday imposed a $32,000 fine on Google for failing to delete allegedly false information about the conflict in Ukraine. The move by a magistrate’s court follows similar actions in early August against Apple and the Wikimedia Foundation that hosts Wikipedia. According to Russian news reports, the …
your ad hereEngland Beats Australia, to Play Spain in Women’s World Cup Final
England will play Spain in the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Sydney on Sunday. Spain beat Sweden 2-1 in its semifinal while England defeated co-hosts Australia 3-1 to reach the final. Thirty-two teams started the 2023 Women’s soccer World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. Two …
your ad hereBritish Museum Says Staff Member Dismissed After Items Go Missing, Stolen or Damaged
The British Museum said Wednesday that a member of its staff has been dismissed after items dating back as far as the 15th century B.C. were found to be missing, stolen or damaged. The museum said it has also ordered an independent review of security and a “vigorous program to …
your ad hereTexas OKs Plan to Mandate Tesla Tech for EV Chargers in State
Texas on Wednesday approved its plan to require companies to include Tesla’s technology in electric vehicle charging stations to be eligible for federal funds, despite calls for more time to re-engineer and test the connectors. The decision by Texas, the biggest recipient of a $5 billion program meant to electrify …
your ad hereRussia’s Luna-25 Spacecraft Enters Moon’s Orbit, Space Agency Says
Russia’s lunar spacecraft entered the moon’s orbit on Wednesday, a major step toward the country’s ambition of being the first to land on the moon’s south pole in the search for frozen water. The Luna-25 entered the moon’s orbit at 11:57 a.m. local time (0857 GMT), Russia’s space corporate Roskosmos …
your ad hereUS Appeals Court Allows Some Abortion Drug Limits
New restrictions on access to a drug used in the most common form of abortion would be imposed under a federal appeals court ruling issued Wednesday, but the Supreme Court will have the final say. The ruling by three judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New …
your ad herePig Kidney Works in Donated Body for Over a Month
Surgeons transplanted a pig’s kidney into a brain-dead man and for over a month it’s worked normally — a critical step toward an operation the New York team hopes to eventually try in living patients. Scientists around the country are racing to learn how to use animal organs to save …
your ad hereA Museum in Delhi Records Stories of Displacement when India Was Divided into Two Countries
When Britain granted India independence in 1947, the subcontinent was divided along religious lines, triggering an exodus of an estimated 12 million people amid carnage and violence across the newly carved borders of the two countries, India and Pakistan. Among the cities that received a massive influx of refugees was …
your ad hereGermany’s Cabinet Approves Plan to Liberalize Cannabis Rules
Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a plan to liberalize rules on cannabis, setting the scene for the European Union’s most populous member to decriminalize possession of limited amounts and allow members of “cannabis clubs” to buy the substance for recreational purposes. The legislation is billed as the first step in …
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