Washington, DC - An intervention designed to facilitate treatment for HIV and substance use was associated with a 50 percent reduction in mortality for people living with HIV who inject illicit drugs, a study has found. In addition, the people who received the intervention were nearly twice as likely to report being in treatment for HIV and substance use after one year as those who received their national standard of care. They also were about twice as likely to have suppressed their HIV to undetectable levels after one year. The intervention consisted of psychosocial counseling along with guidance and support navigating the healthcare system. These findings were reported today in the journal The Lancet.

Washington, DC - In Judaism, the word peace is found in the common greeting Shalom Aleichem. In the Muslim world, As-Salaam-Alaikum, or “peace be with you,” is similarly used. The Jewish High Holy Days are upon us and in the machzor (the prayer book for the High Holy Days), the word “Shalom” appears throughout the liturgy, which emphasizes the importance of peace.

Escondido, California - An almost three-week old African elephant calf rests from his daily activities at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The young male elephant, named Umzula-zuli, was born August 12, 2018.

Sacramento, California - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. issued a proclamation declaring September 3, 2018, as Labor Day in the State of California.

Washington, DC - The United States sees the Pacific Islands as an essential part of the free and open Indo-Pacific region and we are committed to the Pacific Islands’ future security and prosperity. As a demonstration of our commitment, the United States – through more than 17 departments and agencies – committed more than $350 million in FY 2017 to our engagement with the Pacific Islands via projects, assistance, and operations that directly benefit the over 10 million people of the region.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, announced nearly $3 million for 13 projects to stimulate the use of high performance supercomputers to advance U.S. manufacturing. Manufacturer-laboratory partnerships help the U.S. bring technologies to the market faster and gain a competitive advantage in the global economy.