Health
Fake news? Unpacking the ‘Blue Zone’ myth in Okinawa.
For decades, Okinawa has prided itself as a hot spot for longevity. In 1999, the Japanese islands were listed as one of five “Blue Zones,” where people statistically live the longest, often into their 100s. A strong diet and emphasis on human connection were thought to be some of the biggest contributing factors. But new research suggests the entire concept of Blue Zones is a myth.
UNICEF spokesperson: ‘Children are losing their childhood’ in Gaza
As tensions mount across the Middle East, with threats of escalation and a widening of the Israel-Hamas war, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate for Palestinians in Gaza, especially children. The World’s host, Carolyn Beeler, speaks with UNICEF spokesperson Salim Oweis about what he’s seeing on the ground in the Gaza Strip.
‘I’m not finished’: Badminton’s Beiwen Zhang wants gold in the final Olympics of her decadeslong career
Olympian Beiwen Zhang went pro in badminton at age 13, leaving her home country of China for Singapore to pursue the sport. She struggled with the pressure of competitive athletics, though. The World’s Bianca Hillier has the story of how she bounced back, not just from intense stress but also from what many believed could be a career-ending injury.
‘It’s a lifelong injury’: From Gaza to Doha, children bear the scars of war
An estimated 17,000 kids have lost or been separated from their parents in Gaza, according to UNICEF. At least 3,000 have suffered a limb amputation. The small Gulf nation of Qatar has taken in more than 1,600 Palestinians in recent months, including dozens of injured children.
