Some people always seem to get bitten by mosquitoes more than others. Now, scientists have proved that is really the case - and they say it’s all because of genes. It’s hoped the research might lead to new preventative treatments for diseases like malaria, as Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Research could lead to new generation of drugs targeting diseases like malaria, dengue fever
Italian prosecutors order arrests of two survivors, identified by officials as vessel's captain and first mate, on suspicion of people trafficking
Thousands more migrants have arrived on the southern shores of Italy from North Africa in the past two days. Authorities say they expect the total number of arrivals this year to far exceed previous levels, and the government has said military action in Libya might be necessary to stem the flow. VOA's Henry Ridgwell reports.
Amnesty International says multinational concerted humanitarian effort must be enacted to address crisis; decrepit boats continue to bring thousands of new arrivals daily
Russian President Vladimir Putin, in his annual televised call-in program, again denied there were any Russian troops fighting in Ukraine. He also said the West was trying to ‘contain’ Russia with sanctions. Henry Ridgwell reports on reactions to the president’s four-hour TV appearance.
Iran has proposed a peace plan to end the conflict in Yemen, but the idea has received little support from regional rivals like Saudi Arabia. They accuse Tehran of backing the Houthi rebels, who have forced Yemen’s president to flee to Riyadh, and have taken over swaths of Yemen. As Henry Ridgwell reports for VOA, analysts say the conflict is being fueled by the Sunni-Shia rivalry between the two regional powers.
Analysts say conflict, fueled by Sunni-Shi'ite rivalry between two heavyweights, risks drawing region into larger war
Iraqi government forces are trying to push out Islamic State (IS) fighters from the vast Sunni heartland of Anbar province. They likely will have to fight without the Iran-backed Shi'ite militias who have proved crucial in the progress made so far against IS in Iraq. Henry Ridgwell reports
Iraqi government forces are battling to expel Islamic State fighters from the vast Sunni heartland of Anbar province. They will likely have to fight without the Iran-backed Shi'ite militias who have proved crucial in the progress made so far in Iraq against the group also known as ISIS or ISIL. As Henry Ridgwell reports, there are growing concerns over sectarian violence and revenge attacks, with Tehran’s role in the conflict under the spotlight.
Iraqi government forces likely will have to fight without Iran-backed Shi'ite militias, who have proved crucial in progress made so far against IS in Iraq
Pro-Russian separatists, Ukrainian forces blame each other burst of combat in recent days despite cease-fire
The tentative framework over Iran’s nuclear program agreed to this month is in renewed doubt over the timing of when Western sanctions should be lifted. But many analysts say the progress made offers an opportunity for both Tehran and the West to tackle other burning issues in the region, such as the conflicts in Syria and Yemen. VOA's Henry Ridgwell looks at whether Iran’s foreign relations can make a fresh start.
But Iran's stand in Yemen civil conflict could compromise opportunity for improved relations with West
With Greece locked into tough negotiations with its European creditors, the visit to Moscow by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is being seen as a possible attempt to gain leverage. Hosting the Greek leader Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a point of saying Greece was forced by the EU to vote in favor of sanctions against Moscow over its intervention in Ukraine. Henry Ridgwell reports that while the two leaders discussed trade, there was no promise of a financial bailout.
Amnesty International says activists battling for women’s rights in Afghanistan are facing mounting violence, including threats, sexual assault and assassinations. In a new report, the London-based group says the Afghan government is failing to protect women, and the human rights gains made since the fall of the Taliban are at risk. Henry Ridgwell reports from London.
Critics say rich countries are shirking their responsibilities to help poorer nations deal with climate change
Delegates meeting in Japan have agreed on a new framework for reducing the human and economic toll of disasters around the world. But critics say rich countries are shirking their responsibilities to help poorer nations deal with climate change - with only the hosts putting any money on the table. Henry Ridgwell reports from the conference in Sendai.
Thousands of delegates from across the world gathered for a U.N. conference on disaster relief this week in northeast Japan, which was hit by a tsunami and ensuing nuclear disaster at Fukushima four years ago. Local authorities are using the opportunity to showcase efforts to revitalize the region. VOA’s Henry Ridgwell joined a tour aimed at dispelling fears over food safety following the radiation leak in 2011.
Region is fighting hard to get back on its feet after crippling earthquake, tsunami, nuclear disaster four years ago
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