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Childhood obesity could increase the risk of multiple sclerosis in later life
Child's feet on bathroom scale Obesity and smoking are well-known risk factors for heart disease and cancer. What is less well known is that they are associated with an increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). Several studies looking at how MS develops have associated childhood obesity and smoking with aContinue Reading
US left isolated at UN after bid to reimpose sanctions on Iran – why did it even try?
Mike Pompeo: on his own on Iran. Ringo Chiu/Shutterstock Mike Pompeo was angry. The US secretary of state stood in the UN headquarters in New York on August 20 and proclaimed a new axis of evil between former American allies – the UK, France and Germany – and the IslamicContinue Reading
Five techniques we’re using to uncover the secrets of viruses
ffikretow/Shutterstock Viruses are often termed “the invisible enemy”. They aren’t visible with the naked eye, or even by using a standard optical microscope. So how do we know they exist or what they look like? There are biochemical methods, such as the ones used to confirm COVID-19 infection, that lookContinue Reading
I’ve been watching desperate people seek protection in Europe for 20 years – it’s time the narrative, and policies, changed
Despite the exceptional circumstances of 2020, it is just like any other year in one way. Like clockwork, just as summer arrives, we are bombarded with stories of the “migrant invasion”. This year the pictures are of people crossing the channel in flimsy boats. Priti Patel, the UK’s home secretary,Continue Reading
Belarusian labour activists pressured as political crisis drags on · Global Voices
On August 26, 20 workers from Grodno Azot chemical plant were detained after walking through the city – the next day, the white-red-white Belarusian flag used by protesters was raised above the enterprise. Image from the NEXTA Telegram channel. When Dmitry Kudelevich made his escape from the Belarusian security services,Continue Reading
Most Taiwanese unfazed by former president’s fearmongering on war with China · Global Voices
In mainland China, however, his ominous words made for a good pro-unification slogan Former Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou claimed the current administration is pushing Taiwan to the brink of war. Screen capture from United Daily News / Youtube. Amid China’s current military drills in the Taiwan strait, a speech by formerContinue Reading
Collusion accusations grow between Haitian government and organised crime groups · Global Voices
Critics say economic and electoral benefits play a big part Screen capture from a video of an interview with Jovenel Moïse on the EFE news agency’s Youtube channel, dated December 7, 2019. In Port-au-Prince, Haiti, murder rates continue to rise as armed gangs battle for power with the Haitian government. In theContinue Reading
Hiroshima Timeline project under fire for racism, fabricated history · Global Voices
“Those damn Koreans (朝鮮人の奴ら) are openly taunting us, saying “The war’s going to be over soon” and “Japan’s going to lose, you know.” Excerpt from Hiroshima Timeline tweet on June 16, 2020. Screenshot of Tweet has been cropped, with full tweet embedded below. Image widely shared on social media. An innovativeContinue Reading
Coronavirus reinfection – what it actually means, and why you shouldn’t panic
Scientists in Hong Kong have reported the first confirmed case of reinfection with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, reportedly backed up by genetic sequences of the two episodes of the 33-year-old man’s infections in March and in August 2020. Naturally people are worried what this could mean for our chancesContinue Reading
Spain’s scandal-hit former king leaves the country · Global Voices
Spaniards reacted on Twitter with the hashtag #RepúblicaYa The image of the former King Juan Carlos of Spain on a one euro coin. Photo taken by the author. The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos de Borbón, left the country in early August 2020 following a recent investigation into allegedContinue Reading