Did Deforestation Contribute to Zika's Spread?
Evidence is growing that deforestation causes disease outbreaks by changing animal carriers' behavior. Peter Hotez, fellow in disease and poverty, comments in Smithsonian Magazine: http://bit.ly/1tib92r.
What is Ramadan?
U.S. Oil Deficit Hits 17-year Low
The U.S. petroleum trade deficit shrank to a seasonally adjusted $3.13 billion in April, the Census Bureau said on June 3. That left the shortfall at its smallest since 1999. Kenneth B. Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies, comments in Bloomberg: http://bloom.bg/1rbV0tk
Venezuela's Troubles Reach Houston
As Venezuela's government reduces the workweek to two days to save money and cuts off imports to avoid bankruptcy, the country has only one major overseas asset left: a refining company in Houston called Citgo, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"They are heavily leveraging Citgo because they want the cash," said Francisco Monaldi, fellow in Latin American energy policy.
Houston Chronicle (subscription required): http://bit.ly/1O7ymNV
Uninsured Numbers Fall Despite Rising ACA Premiums
The nation’s uninsured rate continues to fall even as premiums rise for health plans on exchanges under the Affordable Care Act, according to a new report co-authored by experts Vivian Ho and Elena Marks. The authors comment in Forbes: http://onforb.es/1PjCqLn.