Crying diplomat, lead mud, drone pix : Goats and Soda : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4629x2604+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fac%2F0a%2F28e90acc4b90aaca5c16292fca4c%2Fquad-best-stories-2025-2.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4629x2604+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fac%2F0a%2F28e90acc4b90aaca5c16292fca4c%2Fquad-best-stories-2025-2.jpg" class="img" alt="Clockwise from top left: Michael Gonzales, U.S. ambassador to Zambia, at the May press conference when he announced a cut of $50 million in aid for medications and medical supplies to the country. After 29 minutes, he was wiping away tears: "I've cried over this because I know that it's not going to be senior officials or the senior people ... who are going to hurt. I know it's going to be the poor family in rural Zambia whose baby gets malaria and they won't have access to antimalarials." A prize-winning drone photo captures the Artemia pleasure boat, marooned in the dried bed of Lake Urmia, Iran. A dusty street scene in Kabwe, Zambia. The town's dust is still heavily contaminated with lead after nearly 100 years of lead mining and smelting that eventually ceased in 1994. Lead poisoning continues to affect thousands in the town. Florence Amungo, 34, a refugee from South Sudan, now lives at Palabek Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda. Amungo was enrolled in a program to help people "graduate" from poverty — then found out the program was cut. She had hoped to raise pigs to support her household of 14 people — her husband, their five biological children and other children that she cares for." fetchpriority="high"/> Clockwise from prime left: Michael Gonzales, U.S. ambassador to Zambia, on the Might press convention when he introduced a minimize of $50 million in assist for medicines and medical provides to the nation. After 29 minutes, he was wiping away tears: "I've cried over this as a result of I do know that it is not going to be senior officers or the senior individuals ... who're going to harm. I do know it should be the poor household in rural Zambia whose child will get malaria and so they will not have entry to antimalarials." A prize-winning drone photograph captures the Artemia pleasure boat, marooned within the dried mattress of Lake Urmia, Iran. A dusty road scene in Kabwe, Zambia. The city's mud continues to be closely contaminated with lead after practically 100 years of lead mining and smelting that ultimately ceased in 1994. Lead poisoning continues to have an effect on 1000's. Florence Amungo, 34, a refugee from South Sudan, now lives at Palabek Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda. Amungo was enrolled in a program to assist individuals "graduate" from poverty — then came upon this system was minimize. She had hoped to lift pigs to help her family of 14 individuals — her husband, their 5 organic youngsters and different youngsters that she cares for. Clockwise from prime left: U.S. Embassy Zambia; Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi; Claire Harbage/NPR; Tommy Trenchard for NPR disguise caption

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Clockwise from prime left: U.S. Embassy Zambia; Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi; Claire Harbage/NPR; Tommy Trenchard for NPR There was a number of information this yr. A LOT. The Trump administration initiated seismic adjustments in world of overseas assist with dramatic impacts on well being and poverty packages. Scary (and typically historic) viruses circulated.

However there have been moments of hope and sweetness, too — like an award-winning assortment of drone pictures. That is all evident in our choice of the tales that received probably the most web page views in 2025. Listed here are the most well-liked tales from our international well being and growth protection in Goats and Soda.

An historic illness makes one more comebackCholera is placing in Africa. It is a illness that is straightforward to regulate with correct remedy. However with out medical care, sufferers can perish rapidly.

This nation has the quickest rising fee of most cancers circumstances — and deaths — within the worldAccording to a brand new report, most cancers charges are skyrocketing on this tiny nation. What's inflicting this to occur? And what steps will be taken to show the tide?

They had been promised a lifeline to 'graduate' from poverty. Then it was taken awayThousands of South Sudanese refugees and impoverished locals in Uganda noticed a brighter future with a brand new USAID-funded mission. They'd get $205 and training to construct a enterprise. Then got here the cuts.

This can be probably the most lead polluted place on Earth. Is there any hope?The U.N. has recognized Kabwe, a metropolis of just about 300,000 individuals in Zambia, as some of the polluted locations on the planet. Who's responsible? And might justice be completed?

Uncared for type of diabetes with uncommon signs lastly will get its personal nameAn uncommon kind of diabetes linked to malnutrition now has a reputation. Scientists are calling for wider recognition of the newly categorized Sort 5 diabetes to spur higher remedies.

Drone photograph winners will amaze your eyeballs: From a high-up horseman to a holy riverThe dazzling aerial pictures honored by the 2025 Siena awards provide "new methods of seeing acquainted locations," as one choose places it.

Why this U.S. ambassador cried at a press conferenceMichael Gonzales, the ambassador to Zambia, introduced at an emotional press convention that the U.S. would minimize $50 million in assist as a result of theft of medicines.

I wished to know why my mother was so arduous on us youngsters rising up. So I lastly askedWhen she was a child rising up in Kenya, Esther Ngumbi was mad at her mother for being so powerful on her. Now she's grateful -- however she wished to know, did her mom notice how her youngsters felt on the time?

He let snakes chew him some 200 instances to create a greater snakebite antivenomScientists have created a broadly efficient antivenom utilizing the blood of a Wisconsin man who has spent years exposing himself to lethal snakebites.