Syria drought crisis. Across the valleys and plains of Hama, Aleppo, Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, once-reliable fields lie bare, their furrows chalked to dust. In Seqalbia, a farmer who normally reaps 400–500kg of wheat per dunum (≈0.1 hectare) says the land barely returned a third of that this season. In bread lines around Hama and…
In a sweeping reduction of its workforce, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States has begun issuing termination notices to at least 600 of its employees. This move is part of a broader initiative under the guidance of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr to trim the…
Introduction In a heart-wrenching turn of events, four-year-old Abdullah Abu Zerka, a young boy from Gaza, has died in a Turkish hospital due to complications from severe malnutrition. His death highlights the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by conflict and blockades that restrict access to essential resources, including food and medical care. His sister,…
Amid the backdrop of the 1918 Spanish flu, one small jar of ointment rose to prominence, soothing millions during one of history’s deadliest pandemics. This is the story of Vicks VapoRub, a product whose genesis is as profound as its impact. Origins in a Father’s Love In 1894, North Carolina pharmacist Lunsford Richardson created a…
In Gaza, a region synonymous with enduring conflict and humanitarian crises, healthcare workers are now confronting an appalling scenario of working under what has been described as ‘starvation conditions’. This stark situation sheds light on the severe hardships faced by medical staff as they struggle to provide essential services in the midst of geopolitical strife….
Australian authorities have reported an alarming rise in drug consumption, hitting record highs in the usage of dangerous substances like methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. This revelation comes from the latest wastewater analysis conducted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), which underscores a growing public health crisis. Key Facts Australians consumed illicit drugs with a…
Sudan is currently experiencing its most severe cholera outbreak in years, posing a significant health threat not only within its borders but also to neighboring countries. This outbreak comes at a time when the country is already struggling with the impacts of prolonged conflicts and significant reductions in foreign aid, which are crucial for funding…
The Darfur region of Sudan is currently experiencing its most severe cholera outbreak in recent years, with at least 40 fatalities reported last week by the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF). The outbreak, which has been worsening amidst ongoing military conflicts and heavy rains, poses a serious health crisis in the region….
New Delhi’s waste pickers, often overlooked and working in perilous conditions, face not only extreme heat but also toxic exposures at the city’s overflowing landfills. The Ghazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla landfills, which have exceeded their capacity, pose severe health risks to those who depend on scavenging recyclable materials for their livelihood. Key Facts Temperatures at…
In Nigeria, a country once at the epicenter of global polio transmission, the fight against this crippling disease is being led by an unlikely but formidable force: local women. As of 2020, Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus. However, the battle continues against vaccine-derived strains, which pose a risk to under-immunized communities. Key Facts…
