New Zealand creates the first Māori health authority
The New Zealand Health Minister announced the creation of an independent health authority dedicated to Māori as a way to reduce healthcare inequities.…
Nike shoes help elite runners less than thought
An analysis of elite runners' performances concluded a significant decrease in seasonal best times due to the new footwear technology. Their benefits are yet smaller than previously found.…
Hopes quality coffee can resist climate change
High-quality coffee is threatened by climate change but a forgotten coffee species could resist to warmer temperatures and still provide excellent flavor, potentially alleviating the coffee industry from future challenges.…
Fingerprints to use a phone number in Mexico?
The Mexican Senate approved an amendment enforcing people to register their biometrics for using a mobile phone. The goal is to reduce kidnapping and extortions.…
Controversy over cigarettes as essential goods in Chile
Some health organizations requested tobacco to be removed from the list of essential goods during Chile's quarantine. The authorities eventually removed the entire list, along with the controversy.…
Irish people drink more than a pint a day
On average, an Irish over 15 years old drank 200 liters of beer yearly. Alcohol consumption is still the same as 30 years ago, but beer is being replaced by wine and spirits.…
More cycling deaths despite reduced traffic in the Netherlands in 2020
Despite a reduction in traffic and deaths on roads in 2020, the Netherlands recorded the highest number of cycling deaths in 25 years. Deaths were higher during periods of lower traffic intensity.…
Lockdown reduced deaths caused by air pollution in France
A French health agency shows that the limited traffic on roads brought non-neglectable health benefits thanks to a better air quality.…
Twitter expands in Africa
The American company aims to tailor its global product to the needs of Africa. It will first focus on Ghana and Nigeria.…
A tennis player sells arm and uses crypto to fund her career
Oleksandra Oliynykova, a young professional tennis player, has sold lifetime tattoo and body arts exclusive rights of her arm against Ethereum.…
Prison transfers for transgender inmates in California but progress remains chaotic in the world
As a new law in California prompted requests of prison transfer from transgender inmates, measures for improving their security and dignity is still a work in progress to find the right solution.…
A museum of ice cream as part of Singapore’s tourism experience
A Museum of Ice Cream is going to open in Singapore in August 2021 as part of the ambition to make Singapore's tourism experiences more attractive…
Some countries authorize ivermectin to treat COVID-19 against WHO advice
The ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medicine, is sometimes used to treat Covid-19 despite medical recommendations against it. But countries react differently.…
Some Dutch travel to Serbia for a vaccine shot
Serbia opened its vaccination to foreigners for free. The country inoculated doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine close to the expiry date…
What Netflix’s carbon neutrality goal doesn’t say
Netflix plans to be carbon neutral but it removes a key factor into consideration: Its users.…
Will Irish pubs become the next start-up incubators?
WIth the increase of remote work, Ireland will experiment the pubs as working hubs in order to develop rural areas…
Norway invests in Ghana’s digital future. Why?
Norway decided to help 14,000 Ghanaians to acquire job-ready digital skills in the next 3 years. The investment is a small but telling example of the close business relation between Norway and Ghana since 2007.…
Two high school students in Ghana rejected because of dreadlocks
Two students in Ghana can't enroll to a public school because of their dreadlocks. The school says it is against the rules, while others claim it is a discrimination against the Rastafari religion.…
Belize football team briefly held by gunmen in Haiti
The Belize football team was briefly stopped by armed men in Haiti three days before their match in Port-Au-Prince.…
Some White House staff fired for past marijuana use
Recent guidelines brought flexibility in past marijuana use, allowing to be hired at the White House. However, some recent decisions to fire staffers question their credibility.…
AstraZeneca vaccine: South Africa preferred selling its doses
After some concerns emerged around the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, the South African authorities decided to sell their 1.5 million doses to African countries who expressed an interest in getting them.…
Australian security agency stops referring to Islamic or right-wing extremism
The Australian intelligence and security agency will no longer refer to Islamic, right-wing or far-left extremism. The pandemic has also accelerated the spread of extremist narratives and modified espionage operations.…
Danone: a visionary C.E.O. defeated by financial realism
The board of directors of Danone decided that Emmanuel Faber would step down as chairman and C.E.O. with immediate effect.…
One million more people faced poverty in Italy in 2020?
According to preliminary results from Istat, there are 1 million more poor people in Italy in 2020 compared to 2019…
Google advertisers will pay an extra fee for ads in France And Spain
Google told advertisers they would pay a fee for ads served in France or Spain. The move is in reaction to regulations taxing big tech companies' revenue.…
Chile and Serbia vaccinate against COVID-19 faster than the European Union
Chile and Serbia have already injected a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to more than 17% of the population. The European Union administered a vaccine to only 6% of Europeans.…
How does India use Internet access as a political tool?
Internet access is often used by Indian authorities for public order but also for national sovereignty and fears of secession.…
No more junk food next to Mexican schools?
The Mexican Senate unanimously voted against the junk food to be sold next to schools. This is the latest effort in reducing the country's staggering child obesity rate.…
Why do British people think they are working class even when they are not?
Some British people would identify themselves with working-class origins even if they don't have any.…
A pandemic side effect: Car makers are last in line in the microchip shortage
The COVID-19 pandemic increased demand in micro chips. This shortage has also an impact on cars makers…
Natural cubic poop: The secrets of the wombat discovered
Scientists who studied the Wombat digestion process found different levels of flexibility in the intestine. This would help roll the fecal matter and create edged shapes. Such cubic excrements are unique in nature.…