News

Researchers and physicians have long understood the connection between stress and environmental noise, and recent studies continue to demonstrate that relationship. Traffic and aircraft noise has now been linked to a number of cardiovascular risks, including heart attack and stroke (BBC, March 15, 2021). Scientists are also beginning to understand why these risks exist, and it relates to chemicals produced when the body is under a great deal of stress.

Based on a recent, sobering report from the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Deutsche Welle reports, “Acute hunger will increase in over 20 countries if the global community does not take action soon” (March 23, 2021).

“In just over a year, the Clarence Valley and Kempsey have experienced drought, floods, bushfires and now another flood. Many other communities on Australia’s east coast are also dealing with their third or fourth significant natural disaster since 2019” (The Guardian, March 23, 2021).

EU-China relations are at an all-time low. The European Union, United Kingdom, United States, and Canada have imposed sanctions on China for civil rights violations against the Muslim Uyghurs in China’s western province of Xinjiang (Deutsche Welle, March 22, 2021).