DeepSummary
The podcast opens with news about protests in Kenya against proposed tax hikes, where police have been accused of using excessive force, with at least one protester reported killed. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is also deteriorating due to the ongoing war, with the US resuming aid deliveries through a temporary pier. Doctors are concerned about severe dehydration and malnutrition, especially among children.
Researchers from Oxford University have been studying how wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants when ill, finding that many of the plants have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. A conference on menstrual health and the menopause has highlighted the need for more research and education to break down stigma around these topics.
The episode also covers extreme weather events, with parts of southern China experiencing severe flooding while the north faces drought and high temperatures, threatening crop failures. It ends with a segment on the summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge, where people gathered to watch the sunrise over the ancient stones.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Kenyan police used excessive force against largely peaceful, young protesters demonstrating against proposed tax hikes.
- The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening, with concerns over severe dehydration and malnutrition, especially among children, due to the ongoing war.
- Researchers found that wild chimpanzees seek out and consume plants with medicinal properties when ill or injured, expanding our understanding of their self-medication practices.
- A conference on menstrual health and the menopause highlighted the need for more research and education to break down stigma around these topics.
- Parts of southern China experienced severe flooding, while the north faced drought and high temperatures, threatening crop failures.
- People gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice and witness the sunrise over the ancient stones, aligned with the longest day of the year.
- The episode covered a range of topics, including protests, humanitarian crises, animal behavior research, health conferences, extreme weather events, and cultural celebrations.
- The contrasting extreme weather events in different parts of China underscore the need for climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Were these plants known for that, or were they plants that were new to researchers like you or to the pharmaceutical industry? It's a great question. Many of them are new. Most of them have never before been proposed as a medicine for the chimpanzees. So our research vastly expands what we know or what we think we know about the chimpanzee medicinal repertoire.“ by Ryan Reynolds
- “So flooding in the south, in the north, we have farmers worrying that they're going to have a complete crop failure this year with rice paddies. The things that have been planted are failing. Other crops haven't even been planted yet because there's just not enough water. The north is experiencing continuous heat wave and drought.“ by Ryan Reynolds
- “Stonehenge was, you know, started to be built some 5000 years ago, and the people who built it built it intentionally to align with the sun on the longest day of the year. So the sun actually rises past the heelstone and shines directly into the centre of the monument.“ by Ryan Reynolds
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Episode Information
Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
6/21/24
Lobby groups say at least 200 people were injured and more than 100 arrested across Kenya. Protesters say the controversial finance bill that includes additional taxes would choke the economy and raise the cost of living. Also: parts of southern China have once in a century flooding, while the north is hit by extreme temperatures and drought, how wild chimpanzees seek out medicinal plants, and Stonehenge marks the summer solstice - the longest period of daylight in the northern hemisphere.