Global Health

A bride in India. There's a movement to get the government to raise the legal age of marriage for women from 18 to 21.

Health & Safety

India may raise the age of marriage for girls. Not everyone thinks that's a good idea

7:28am October 02, 2021

by Sushmita Pathak

There's a campaign for the government to set the legal age of marriage at 21 instead of 18. A lot of young women are in favor. But there's also concern that it could backfire.

To hug or not to hug? Experts say it depends on where you've been and your personal tolerance for risk.

Health & Safety

Coronavirus FAQ: I'm vaccinated. Can I give a hug — or a handshake — without risk?

11:11pm October 01, 2021

by Marc Silver

In the vaccine era, people are wondering if it's (relatively) safe to resume hugs, exchange handshakes, kiss on the cheek or air kiss.

Peter Singer, the Australian philosopher and bioethicist, is the winner of the 2021 Berggruen Prize. The $1 million award is given to an individual who has made major contributions to advancing ideas that shape the world. His idea for the prize money: giv

Why Peter Singer — The 'Drowning Child' Ethicist — Is Giving Away His $1 Million Prize

5:58pm September 29, 2021

by Malaka Gharib

The Australian philosopher and altruist has devoted his career to helping the poor and ending suffering. He's not afraid of controversy. In fact, he launched the Journal of Controversial Ideas.

A report issued by the World Health Organization this week detailed 83 allegations of sexual abuse by its employees during the Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo that started in 2018. Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it a "

Health & Safety

World Health Organization Says Its Staff Perpetrated "Harrowing" Sexual Abuse In Congo

5:45pm September 29, 2021

by Jason Beaubien

It was during the Ebola crisis and was first reported in 2020 by The New Humanitarian. Now WHO has issued its own report, citing 83 allegations. And it's drawing criticism for investigating itself.

Trevor Bedford, a computational virologist, has been named a MacArthur Fellow for his work on SARS-CoV-2. His early reaction: "Scary."

Health & Safety

Trevor Bedford: Two Astounding Awards For Virologist Who Raised Early COVID Alarms

2:46pm September 28, 2021

by NPR Staff

He's had quite a September. Bedford has just been named a MacArthur Fellow and was also awarded a $9 million, 7-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for his work on the pandemic.

The Cover of Scientific African's first issue.

African Researchers Say They Face Bias In The World Of Science. Here's One Solution

9:24am September 28, 2021

by Kia Mackey

The new journal Scientific African was launched to provide a prejudice-free platform for research from African scientists. And it's already winning awards.

It seemed as if the 2005 album by Kenneth Kaunda, We Shall Fight HIV/AIDS, had vanished. But then ... it was found! Here's what could be the sole surviving copy, now being remastered for re-release this year.

They Found It! The Long-Lost Album By Zambia's President: 'We Shall Fight HIV/AIDS'

10:48am September 26, 2021

by Aaron Cohen

Kenneth Kaunda spoke out about HIV when African leaders would not even acknowledge its existence. He sang about it, too, in a 2005 album that made a splash, then vanished. And so a search began.

Salman Khan Rashid, 24, right, and his mother, Sana Rashid, at home. Salman lost his job as a golf coach at a Mumbai sports club during the pandemic. The household, which includes Salman's three sisters, is now surviving on savings. But when he's able, he

PHOTOS: They Give To Others Even Though They Barely Have Enough To Feed Their Family

6:35am September 26, 2021

by NPR Special Report

The pandemic has made it hard for millions of people to put food on their table. But some of them still try to be as generous as they can when they see someone else in need.

Health & Safety

The Challenges Of Vaccinating The World

5:38pm September 25, 2021

NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Dr. Saad Omer, director of the Yale Institute of Global Health, about why many developing countries have struggled to vaccinate their populations against COVID-19.

Italy's New COVID Vaccine Mandate Is One Of The Strictest In The World

4:52pm September 24, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

Italy is imposing one of the most strict COVID vaccine mandates in the world starting next month by requiring workers in public or private jobs to show proof of vaccination or lose pay.