Why famine has not been declared in Sudan

COVID advice for NOVIDs; an Olympic buffalo

Goats and Soda editor's note From left: Patrick Smith/Getty Images; G A Chandio/Getty Images As our loyal readers know, we can't resist a story about our namesake goats. But this past week we gained a new appreciation for another type of livestock: the buffalo. Pakistani javelin athlete Arshad Nadeem set an Olympic record with a 305.2-foot toss, won his country's first individual gold medal and was gifted with over $1 million, a new car -- and, from his father-in-law, a buffalo. Owning a female buffalo is a source of status and sustenance in Pakistan. Their high-protein, high-fat milk is valued. And if a family is in need of cash it's easy to sell a buffalo. That's why the animal is sometimes called "a poor man's bank." Read the story here. Marc Silver Editor, Goats and Soda in the news Guy Peterson/AFP via Getty Images Yes there is famine in Sudan. So why isn't 'famine' being declared? A team of independent famine experts, working under the U.N. umbrella, believe Sudan is experiencing famine. But issuing a declaration — which could bring in more aid — turns out to be complicated. coronavirus faq OsakaWayne Studios/Getty Images/Moment RF   I'm a NOVID and don't want to catch COVID. Can you guide me? Maybe you're COVID indifferent. Or a COVID amnesiac. Or a NOVID who wants to keep your no COVID streak going. With cases rising this summer, it's time for a refresher course on how to avoid the virus. super soap 3M Our interview with "TIME's 2024 Kid of the Year," inventor of a cancer-fighting soap Last year NPR interviewed Heman Bekele about his invention of a soap to fight skin cancer. He was motivated by his childhood in Ethiopia: He saw people working in the sun and thought of health risks. Newsletter continues after sponsor message links we like The New Yorker reports on "The Cult in the Forest." Followers of a pastor, including people with physical and mental illnesses, moved with him into a forest compound. A tragic story unfolded. A house in Mexico that has been variously described as “a mushroom, an octopus, a bat cave, a flower, and even pie-topping meringue” is documented in a new photo project. You'll understand why it's called Casa de los Milagros, or House of Miracles. This is Colossal reports. These two Paralympians had polio when they were children, are now table tennis stars, met and fell in love and are competing in the Paralympic Games that start on August 28. They're Kayode and Christiana Alabi of Nigeria and they are the stars of this lovely BBC video. What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: goatsandsoda@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Health, Daily News, Code Switch and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Goats and Soda emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy