Podcast appearances and mentions of rick pantaleo

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that biodiversity loss, which is the decrease in the variety of living organisms, may be a main driver of infectious diseases across the world, followed by non-native species, climate change and chemical pollution. Professor Jason Rohr, the Chair of the Department of Ecology and Public Health at Notre Dame University, is one of the authors of the study. Speaking with VOA's Rick Pantaleo, he explained why those in charge of leading disease control efforts in the past were flying blind since they did not know which global change drivers most increased or decreased infections

Russia's military launches more drone attacks on Ukraine as President Zelenskyy makes more military leadership changes. VOA's Rick Pantaleo gets details from Anna Chernikova in Kyiv. The White House, European leaders, and NATO condemned remarks by Donald Trump on potentially not defending alliance members. VOA's Arash Arabasadi has the story. Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces are using terminals of Elon Musk's satellite Internet service Starlink.

Russia's military launches more drone attacks on Ukraine as President Zelenskyy makes more military leadership changes. VOA's Rick Pantaleo gets details from Anna Chernikova in Kyiv. The White House, European leaders, and NATO condemned remarks by Donald Trump on potentially not defending alliance members. VOA's Arash Arabasadi has the story. Ukrainian officials claim Russian forces are using terminals of Elon Musk's satellite Internet service Starlink.

Recent media reports have pointed out deepening environmental and health concerns caused by plastic and microplastic pollution. Robert Hale, a professor in the Department of Aquatic Health at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science joins Rick Pantaleo for the Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about these issues.

Earth is surrounded by a scrapyard of old rockets, satellites, and other types of spacecraft. Space junk expert John Crassidis, SUNY Distinguished Professor with the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University at Buffalo (New York) joins Rick Pantaleo on this week's Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about the growing threat of space debris.

On this Science Edition, Rick Pantaleo talks about the work of NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office with Dr. Thomas Statler and NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission with Drs. Nancy Chabot and Andrew Rivkin from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

NASA says there are some 28,000 comets and asteroids in our planet's neighborhood, with more being discovered every day. Fortunately, the space agency also says the probability of a major collision is quite small. Dr. Paul Chodas, manager of NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, joins Rick Pantaleo on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about asteroids and other near-Earth objects.

On this annual edition of Press Conference USA, host Carol Castiel and co-host, Rick Pantaleo, speak with Amy Webb, CEO and Founder of “Future Today Institute” about the latest biological, technological and metaverse trends for 2022. They will also discuss the impact of the Covid-19 vaccines on future therapies.

On this year-end edition of Press Conference USA, VOA's Rick Pantaleo brings you excerpts from conversations with some of our most distinguished guests, including former director of the CIA, and Retired U.S. Army General, David Petraeus; Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California; Republican Congressman John Curtis of Utah; Amy Hawthorne, Deputy Director for Research at the Project on Middle East Democracy on Tunisia and more.

The James Webb Space Telescope will soon be placed atop an Ariane 5 rocket for its launch no earlier than December 22nd. NASA says it is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Eric Smith, Program Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope Program at NASA joins Rick Pantaleo for a preview of this powerful new astronomical tool.

The World Health Organization says diabetes a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation. Join VOA's Rick Pantaleo and Dr. William Cefalu, MD from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases when they talk about Diabetes on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scheduled for launch this December, is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Eric Smith, Program Scientist for the James Webb Space Telescope Program at NASA joins host Rick Pantaleo for a preview of this powerful new astronomical tool.

From devastating hurricanes and flooding to severe heat and wildfires, localities around the world have been hit hard by a series of extreme weather events. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Host Rick Pantaleo, and his guest, Jenni Evans of Penn State University, discuss extreme weather and its possible connections to climate change and global warming.

Ever since our ancient ancestors gazed into the night skies to look at stars, and other celestial objects, humans have wondered if we are alone in the cosmos. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute joins host Rick Pantaleo on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Ever since our ancient ancestors gazed into the night skies to look at stars, and other celestial objects, humans have wondered if we are alone in the cosmos. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute joins host Rick Pantaleo on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.  

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo and Morgan Schneider, a producer with the Current Affairs Desk, talk with Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, teacher, author, climate activist, co-editor of the book "All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis" and co-founder of the “All We Save Project”. They will discuss the importance of women and young people in the battle against climate change.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo and Morgan Schneider, a producer with the Current Affairs Desk, talk with Dr. Katharine Wilkinson, teacher, author, climate activist, co-editor of the book "All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis" and co-founder of the “All We Save Project”. They will discuss the importance of women and young people in the battle against climate change.

Alzheimer's disease slowly destroys a person's memory and ability to think. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Constantine Lyketsos M.D., Professor of Alzheimer's Research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Christina Irving, Clinical Services Director and Family Consultant at the Family Caregiver Alliance join host Rick Pantaleo to discuss the impact of Alzheimer's on the patient and their loved ones.

Alzheimer's disease slowly destroys a person's memory and ability to think. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Constantine Lyketsos M.D., Professor of Alzheimer's Research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Christina Irving, Clinical Services Director and Family Consultant at the Family Caregiver's Alliance join host Rick Pantaleo to discuss the impact of Alzheimer's on the patient and their loved ones.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Director, Infection Prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System, Neda Gould, Ph.D., Associate Director, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Anxiety Disorders Clinic and Carisa Parrish Ph.D., Co-director, Pediatric Medical Psychology at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center join Rick Pantaleo for an update on the Covid-19 pandemic. They will also talk about the mental/emotional effects of the pandemic.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Director, Infection Prevention at the Johns Hopkins Health System, Neda Gould, Ph.D., Associate Director, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Anxiety Disorders Clinic and Carisa Parrish Ph.D., Co-director, Pediatric Medical Psychology at the Johns Hopkins Children's Center join Rick Pantaleo for an update on the Covid-19 pandemic. They will also talk about the mental/emotional effects of the pandemic.

April 22nd was the 51st celebration of Earth Day. Kathleen Rogers, from Earthday.org, Tim Christophersen, of the UN Environment Program and Benjamin Cook, from the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies joins Rick Pantaleo for the Science Edition of Press Conference USA. Rick and his guests will discuss important environmental concerns like climate change and restoring Earth’s ecosystems.

April 22nd was the 51st celebration of Earth Day. Kathleen Rogers, from Earthday.org, Tim Christophersen, of the UN Environment Program and Benjamin Cook, from the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies joins Rick Pantaleo for the Science Edition of Press Conference USA. Rick and his guests will discuss important environmental concerns like climate change and restoring Earth's ecosystems.

Rachel Ignotofsky, author of “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World” joins host Rick Pantaleo for this week’s Science Edition of Press Conference USA. In a Women’s History Month tribute, they’ll talk about some of the greatest women scientists of all time.

Ever since our ancient ancestors gazed into the night skies to look at stars, and other celestial objects, humans have wondered if we are alone in the cosmos. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute joins Rick Pantaleo on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA to talk about the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Lisa Maragakis, from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, joins Rick Pantaleo for an update on the Covid-19 pandemic. They’ll also talk about the new vaccines that are providing hope for an end to this scourge.

Host, Carol Castiel and co-host, Rick Pantaleo speak with author, Amy Webb, CEO and Founder of The Future Today Institute and futurist Marc Palatucci about the latest technological and digital trends for 2021. They will also discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on technology.

Host, Carol Castiel and co-host, Rick Pantaleo speak with author, Amy Webb, CEO and Founder of The Future Today Institute and futurist Marc Palatucci about the latest technological and digital trends for 2021. They will also discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on technology.

Earlier this year, some tabloid newspapers caused a bit of a stir when they claimed we were about to go through a mini-ice age due to the Sun’s lack of activity. Scientists say this is unlikely to happen. On this Encore edition, Douglas Biesecker of NOAA’S Space Weather Prediction Center joins Rick Pantaleo to talk about the Sun and space weather on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA.

Host Carol Castiel and host of PCUSA’s “Science Edition,” Rick Pantaleo, talk with Mark Lagon, Chief Policy Officer of the Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria about his organization’s recommendations for the incoming Biden administration regarding global health security and pandemic preparedness.

On this Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Don Weber, a research entomologist with the US Department of Agriculture joins Rick Pantaleo to examine the growing ecological issue of invasive species. They’ll discuss the impact these invading pests have on the global economy and precious ecosystems.

September 12th marks 6-months since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo and Carol Pearson talk about the pandemic with Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

On this Encore edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo talks with Daniel Esty, a Professor at Yale University and editor of the book “A Better Planet: 40 Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future”. They’ll talk about some of the creative concepts for environmental sustainability that are outlined in the book.

NASA continues to prepare for the scheduled July 30th launch of its newest Mars rover, Perseverance. Michael Meyer, chief scientist for Mars Exploration at NASA headquarters, joins Rick Pantaleo to talk about the new rover and its Mars 2020 mission on this Science Edition of Press Conference USA. 

Earlier this year, an internet rumor caused a bit of a stir when it was claimed that we were about to go through a mini-ice age due to the Sun’s lack of activity. Scientists say this is unlikely to happen. Douglas Biesecker of NOAA’S Space Weather Prediction Center joins Rick Pantaleo to talk about the Sun and space weather on this Science Edition of Press Conference USA.

As we near the two month point of the officially declared global COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking forward to resuming their normal daily activities.  On this week’s Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo talks with Dr. Peter Hotez, from the Baylor College of Medicine and Alexandre White of Johns Hopkins University about the impact the pandemic is having on society and what is needed to safely reopen the world.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo and Carol Pearson continue their conversation on the COVID-19 pandemic. Their guest is Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and co-director of the Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. We’ll also talk with tech expert and futurist, Amy Webb, about how technology is helping people during this crisis.

This Science Edition of Press Conference USA marks African-American History Month with a discussion on the many contributions black inventors have made in the US and throughout the world. Host Rick Pantaleo talks with Keith Holmes, founder, and CEO of Global Black Inventor Research Projects, Incorporated and author of “Black Inventors: Crafting over 200 Years of Success”.

Host Rick Pantaleo speaks with author, Amy Webb, CEO and Founder of The Future Today Institute and futurist Marc Palatucci about the latest technological and digital trends for 2020. They will also discuss the role that nine of the biggest tech companies are playing in the development of artificial intelligence.

On this special year-end edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo brings you excerpts from conversations with some of our most distinguished guests such as newly elected Democratic members of Congress, Abigail Spanberger and Elissa Slotkin; Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback; NASA chief historian Bill Barry on the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo moon landing and more.

Daniel Esty, a Professor at Yale University and editor of “A Better Planet: 40 Big Ideas for a Sustainable Future” joins Rick Pantaleo this week on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA. They’ll talk about some of the creative concepts for environmental sustainability that are featured in this collection of essays.

HIV/AIDS experts from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention join Rick Pantaleo and VOA health reporter Carol Pearson on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA. They’ll talk about the progress made in helping those with HIV/AIDS as well the ongoing fight to end this devastating epidemic. 

October 24th was World Polio Day. This year’s celebration was special since it was officially announced that the wild poliovirus type-3 has been globally eradicated. It’s the second of the three types of wild polio viruses to be eliminated. On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo and VOA Health Reporter, Carol Pearson, talk with Ellyn Ogden of USAID and Dr. Jay Wenger of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, about the progress made and challenges that remain in ridding the world of this scourge.

It’s been nearly 50 years since humans last set foot on the Lunar Surface.  With NASA’s new Artemis program, the space agency plans to send astronauts to back to the Moon in 2024. On this Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Marshall Smith, director of NASA’s Lunar Exploration program, talks with host, Rick Pantaleo about the space agency’s plan to return to the Moon.

On this Encore episode of the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo talks with medical doctor and vaccinologist, Dr. Peter Hotez, and Christina Hildebrand, founder of an organization that advocates for vaccine and pharmaceutical product choice. They spar over the validity of the so-called vaccination resistance movement and other related issues.

The Science Edition of Press Conference USA celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, considered to be one of the greatest achievements in human history. NASA’s Chief Historian, William Barry joins host Rick Pantaleo to discuss how the space agency was able to meet President John F. Kennedy’s challenge of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth before the end of the 1960’s. 

Author David Wallace-Wells, opens his best-selling book, “The Uninhabitable Earth: Life after Warming,” with a grim warning - “It’s worse, much worse than you think”.  The author is referring to the potentially devastating impact global warming could have on humanity, if steps aren’t taken now to stop it. David Wallace-Wells discusses his book with host, Rick Pantaleo on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA.

Humans living normal lives in outer space settlements has long made for interesting science fiction.  But, is this something that could become reality? Coming up this Saturday and Sunday, on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo discusses the possibilities of life in space with Al Globus and Mark Hopkins of the National Space Society. 

Press Conference USA marks World Press Freedom Day.  Sabine Dolan, Interim North America Director for Reporters Without Borders joins host Rick Pantaleo and co-Host Doug Bernard, VOA’s Press Freedom Editor. They’ll talk about her organization’s recent World Press Freedom Index and the state of journalistic freedom around the world.

On the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo and his guests, Dr. Bertalan Mesko (Mesh-co) of the Medical Futurist Institute and Dr. Kaveh Safavi of the global consulting firm, Accenture, will examine the impact of modern technology on medicine and healthcare, now and in the future. 

On this Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo and VOA Health Reporter, Carol Pearson talk with their guests about Ebola, the current outbreak of the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well a new medication that shows great promise in treating all three species of the Ebola virus that are deadly to humans.

On this Science Edition of Press Conference USA, a discussion on vaccines and the so-called vaccination resistance movement. Host, Rick Pantaleo talks with medical doctor and vaccinologist Dr. Peter Hotez and Christina Hildebrand, founder of an organization that advocates for vaccine and pharmaceutical product choice.

It's 100th anniversary of the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic. Coming up on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, Dr. Amesh Adalja, MD, from the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, talks with host Rick Pantaleo and VOA health reporter, Carol Pearson, about what many regard as the deadliest flu pandemic in history.

High hopes of gene therapy come with fears about its cost. On the next edition of Press Conference USA, Janet Lambert, CEO of Alliance for Regenerative Medicine, joins hosts Rebecca Ward and Rick Pantaleo to discuss emerging gene therapies as well as its costs and benefits.

Migrants from Central America are traveling through Mexico in hopes of being granted asylum in the United States. President Trump has vowed to take steps that would prevent them from entering the US illegally. Hans von Spakovsky from the Heritage Foundation and Luca Dall'Oglio from the International Organization for Migration join host Rick Pantaleo on Encounter for a discussion on issues concerning mass migration.

A recent report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) paints a rather gloomy picture of planet Earth's future. Rick Pantaleo and his guest, Peter Frumhoff from the Union of Concerned Scientists, discuss the report and its possible implications on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA.

The World Health Organization says nearly 800,000 people take their own lives every year. On the next edition of Press Conference USA, Rick Pantaleo along with VOA Health Reporter, Carol Pearson, talk with Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO of Mental Health America about why people take their own lives and what can be done to help someone who is contemplating such a tragic act.

On this edition of Encounter, are sanctions an effective tool of foreign policy? What differentiates one set of sanctions on one particular country from another? John Glaser from the Cato Institute and Edward Fishman from the Atlantic Council join host Rick Pantaleo to discuss the efficacy (or lack thereof) of recent sanctions imposed by the United States on Iran and Russia.

In this encore edition of Press Conference USA, Casey Dreier, Director of Space Policy at the Planetary Society, talks with host Rick Pantaleo about the private sector's increasing role in space exploration. Companies such as SpaceX, Orbital ATK and Arianespace have come to the forefront of providing spaceflight services that were once exclusive to only government-run space agencies.

From counting birds in the wild to discovering planets beyond our solar system, citizen scientists are non-professional, everyday people who play an important role in furthering science research. Host, Rick Pantaleo talks with Samantha Blickhan, the Digital Humanities lead at the citizen science web portal, Zooniverse, to learn more about how people everywhere are making contributions to the scientific community.

Along with typical agricultural equipment like tractors, balers and harvesters, farmers of today are depending on modern technology such as computers, wireless communications and satellites to produce a high yield of crops. Rick Pantaleo talks with D. Ken Giles, Professor with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California, Davis; Allen Van Deynze, Plant geneticist and lead researcher, Seed Biotechnology Center, University of California, Davis and Danielle Nierenberg, President of Food Tank about the high-tech evolution of farming

Guatemala's erupting Fuego volcano has taken over 100 lives and left thousands homeless. Hawaii's Kilauea volcano also continues to wreak devastation since a series of eruptions began in early May. This week, on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo talks with Charles Mandeville, Program Coordinator of the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program about one of the most destructive forces of nature.

Guatemala's erupting Fuego volcano has taken over 100 lives and left thousands homeless. Hawaii's Kilauea volcano also continues to wreak devastation since a series of eruptions began in early May. This week, on the Science Edition of Press Conference USA, host Rick Pantaleo talks with Charles Mandeville, Program Coordinator of the US Geological Survey's Volcano Hazards Program about one of the most destructive forces of nature.

On this edition of Encounter, the Trump Administration and some members of congress would like to make some changes to the 1973 Endangered Species Act. They say doing so would cut government red tape that stymies the US economy. Those opposing say the proposals threaten key elements of legislation designed to protect species from becoming extinct. Ingrid Seggerman, Senior Legislative Analyst at the Defenders of Wildlife and Daren Bakst, - Senior Research Fellow in Agricultural Policy at the Heritage Foundation join host Rick Pantaleo to discuss these suggested changes and the impact they could have on saving endangered species.

South Africa has been in the news a lot lately because of a severe drought and a growing water crisis. Charles Iceland, the Director of Global and National Water Initiatives at the World Resources Institute joins hosts Rebecca Ward and Rick Pantaleo on Press Conference USA to talk about the water crisis and how we might be able to avoid or at least mitigate its effects in the future.

Hosts Rebecca Ward and Rick Pantaleo speak with George Leonard, Chief Scientist of the Ocean Conservancy. He tells VOA's Press Conference USA that the ocean is in distress due to three major factors, plastics and other debris, acidification and climate change. Listen Saturday and Sunday on the Voice of America.

The late Stephen Hawking, the brilliant and respected theoretical physicist, cosmologist, teacher and author, helped us better understand the origins and workings our universe. Host Rick Pantaleo talks about the life and legacy of the legendary professor with a former colleague and friend. We'll also learn about ALS; the crippling disease he was diagnosed with back in 1963.

Casey Dreier, Director of Space Policy at the Planetary Society, talks with host Rick Pantaleo about the private sector's increasing role in space exploration. Companies such as SpaceX, Orbital ATK and Arianespace have come to the forefront of providing spaceflight services that were once exclusive to only government-run space agencies.

The internet is an invaluable information and communication resource and has become an important part of our everyday lives. Join host Rick Pantaleo and his guests as they look into what the internet of the future might be like and examine the mysterious segment of cyberspace known as the deep or dark web.

President Trump recently rolled back portions of his predecessor's policies that eased tensions between the US and Cuba. Rick Pantaleo and his guests - Frank Calzon: Executive Director of the Center for a Free Cuba, Washington, DC and Richard Feinberg: Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution and Professor, University of California, San Diego - discuss the current state of US/Cuba relations.

In 1992, 1,700 scientists issued the World Scientist's Warning to Humanity. It asserted that we were on a path to ruining our natural world. 25 years later another group of more than 15,000 scientists have issued a second notice. Rick Pantaleo and his guests - Peter Frumhoff, Union of Concerned Scientists, Cambridge, Massachusetts and Erle Ellis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County - discuss various aspects of the report.

December 1st marks the 30th World AIDS Day. Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases joins Rick Pantaleo and VOA senior health reporter Carol Pearson to talk about the progress made to help those with HIV/AIDS as well the ongoing fight to end this devastating pandemic once and for all.

Scientists recently announced that they not only detected elusive gravitational waves, predicted by Albert Einstein, but also visually observed the cosmic event that created them. Benjamin Shappee (University of Hawaii) and Anthony Piro (Carnegie Observatories), two of the astronomers who were among the first to observe the event, join host Rick Pantaleo to talk about this breakthrough and its significance in the science community.

Hosts Rebecca Ward and Rick Pantaleo talk with Dr. John Butler, Special Assistant to the Director of Forensics, National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), about the challenges of using DNA phenotyping, the process of predicting an organism's phenotype using only genetic information collected from genotyping or DNA sequencing.

Silicon Valley tech companies such as Google and Facebook have revolutionized the distribution of information and knowledge. Franklin Foer, author of the just released book "World Without Mind: The Existential Threat of Big Tech" joins host Rick Pantaleo to talk about how relying these companies to feed us news and information could also cost us our privacy and even our own individuality.

Recently a team of medical scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University successfully repaired a gene in a human embryo that causes a common and potentially fatal genetic heart disease. Host Rick Pantaleo and his guests discuss this breakthrough as well some of the ethical issues that might be considered.

More than 150 years after the last shots of the US Civil War were fired, a divisive controversy is raging among many Americans over whether statues, erected to honor those who led and fought for the Confederacy, should be removed from public display or left to stand untouched. Host Rick Pantaleo and his guests discuss various aspects of this contentious issue.

Science fiction has been a popular movie genre since 1903's French film "A Trip to the Moon." In recent times, efforts have been made to blur the line a bit between science fiction and science fact. In this encore edition, host Rick Pantaleo talks with his guests to examine the connection between science and the cinema. Listen for more on Press Conference USA, this Saturday and Sunday on the Voice of America!

Charlie Gard, the terminally ill British infant who died on July 28, 2017, was at the center of an emotional court battle between his parents his doctors and the UK's National Health Service over his medical care. Kristian Niemietz, Institute of Economic Affairs in London, Dr. Sandro Galea, Dean and professor at Boston University's School of Public Health, and Michael Tanner, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute join host Rick Pantaleo to discuss who should have the authority to determine the fate of ourselves and our children.

From Galileo's run-in with the Catholic Church in the 17th century to more recent controversies over the teaching of creationism in public schools, the relationship between science and religion has been the subject of ongoing debate. Host Rick Pantaleo speaks with Jerry Coyne, the author of "Faith vs. Fact" and Stephen Barr, President of the Society of Catholic Scientists about whether science and religion are compatible or mutually exclusive.

Last year's passing of John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth and the release of Hidden Figures, a movie based on the true story of three pioneering African-American NASA employees in the early 1960's, has put a renewed focus on the early history of the space agency's human spaceflight program. On this encore edition of the program, William Barry, NASA's Chief Historian and host Rick Pantaleo talk about some of the early challenges of putting a human in space. Listen for more on Press Conference USA, this Saturday and Sunday on the Voice of America!

Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, and Frank Jannuzi, President and CEO of The Mansfield Foundation discuss rising tensions between the US and North Korea amid warming relations between Washington and Beijing with host Rick Pantaleo.