NOAA-supported scientists on Tuesday reported that this year’s “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than originally predicted, at more than 16,000-square kilometers, or about the surface area of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie combined. NOAA forecasted in June that the hypoxic zone — an area with little to no oxygen to support…
The National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control has recorded 250 new cases of Covid-19 over the past twenty four hours with 237 cases classified as imported infections and 13 cases as local transmissions. The local transmissions of Covid-19 included 12 cases in Vientiane, four each in Savannakhet and Bokeo, and one in Luang…
Gender-based violence (GBV) undermines physical and mental health, including the dignity of anyone subjected to it. Its consequences can last a lifetime, depriving the right of survivors to lead a healthy life. Health providers are often first responders to violence, and their response is critical to the recovery of survivors. To strengthen the capacity of…
Deputy Minister and Deputy Head of Prime Minister’s Office Thipphakone Chanthavongsa has said that the suspension of the use of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine following unexpected side effects was baseless. A facebook post falsely claiming Champassak Province has suspended administering Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine to those younger than 60 years after many people,…
A new study suggests Earth’s supply of oxygen developed thanks to the planet’s gradually slowing rotation creating longer days that allowed a certain form of algae to admit more oxygen as a byproduct of its metabolic process. The study, published Monday in the scientific journal Nature Geoscience, suggests that about 2.4 billion years ago there…
Britain has opened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers from the United States and much of Europe, as the government continues to ease coronavirus travel restrictions. Monday was the first day that travelers arriving in Britain from the United States and most parts of the European Union could do so without going into quarantine. New…
The government of the United Kingdom has donated 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to the Lao PDR. The handover of the vaccine took place in Vientiane on Monday, Aug 2, between British ambassador to the Lao PDR John Pearson and Minister of Health Bounfeng Phoummalaysith. UK and other development partners have learned about the…
WASHINGTON – The top U.S. infectious disease expert said Sunday that the country is facing “some pain and suffering” with the surging delta variant of the coronavirus. Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Joe Biden’s top medical adviser, told ABC’s “This Week” show, “Things are going to get worse,” and laid the blame on millions of people…
PARIS – After a slow start, the European Union has now overtaken the United States in vaccinating its citizens against COVID-19. Anti-vaccine resistance remains, including in France, where officials estimate more than 200,000 people joined demonstrations this weekend to protest a mandatory health pass. Brandishing banners proclaiming “freedom” and “pass of shame,” tens of thousands…
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Greenland’s ice sheet has experienced a “massive melting event” during a heat wave that has seen temperatures more than 10 degrees above seasonal norms, according to Danish researchers. Since Wednesday, the ice sheet covering the vast Arctic territory has melted by about 8 billion tons a day, twice its normal average rate…
VANCOUVER, CANADA – When the COVID-19 vaccines started rolling out across the United States, Canada was short of supply and its leaders faced harsh criticism for not being better prepared. Expected deliveries from Europe were delayed and the country had no capability to produce its own vaccines. By mid-July, that changed. More doses of vaccines…
BLANTRYE, MALAWI – Malawi expects to receive more than 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine soon. In May, the country had to discard 20,000 doses due to a lack of demand. But officials say that when the new vaccine arrives, demand will be high and Malawi will be prepared. Over the next two months, Malawi is…
