The predicted peak blooming period for this year’s cherry blossom season in Washington is being announced.   The window is expected to be announced Wednesday at a news conference at the Newseum.   Last year’s peak bloom happened March 25. According to the National Park Service website, however, from 2013 to 2015, peak bloom was around April 10.   Peak bloom means at least 70 percent of the trees around Washington, D.C.’s Tidal Basin are blossoming. Once peak bloom is reached, the blossoms can remain on the trees from four …

[[As people age, their bones can get thinner, their memories can fail, their hormone levels decline and they are more likely to suffer from heart disease. The U.S. National Institutes of Health funded studies to see if testosterone therapy in men could help offset the ravages of age. VOA’s Carol Pearson reports the results were mixed. … From: MeNeedIt

In the shadow of New York City, a group of farmers is tending their crop and prepping it for shipment into the Big Apple on a same day basis. But there isn’t a whole lot of room for a farmer’s field in Kearny, New Jersey. That’s where some high tech hydroponics are changing the face of suburban farming. VOA’s Kevin Enochs reports. … From: MeNeedIt

Vietnam is coming under pressure from lawmakers in Europe to improve its human rights record before ratification of an EU free trade deal that the Communist government prizes after the loss of a major U.S.-led agreement. European Parliament members voiced concerns in late February about Vietnam as its Subcommittee on Human Rights traveled to the Southeast Asian country. The committee recommended more debate in Vietnam on political rights and freedom of expression and religion. Europe’s human rights concerns Without meeting Europe’s strict conditions on human rights, ratification of the trade …

Barack and Michelle Obama have book deals. The former president and first lady have signed with Penguin Random House, the publisher announced Tuesday. Financial terms were not disclosed for the books, which several publishers had competed for, although the deals are likely in the tens of millions of dollars. Both Obamas have published through Crown, a Penguin Random House imprint.  But Penguin Random House declined comment on which imprint or imprints the books would be released through. “We are absolutely thrilled to continue our publishing partnership with President and Mrs. …