Bird Flu, Nigeria Election, and America\'s Greatest Beach Towns

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Good morning. It\'s Saturday, Feb. 25, and in this weekend edition, we\'re covering human cases of a strain of avian influenza, a presidential election in Africa\'s largest democracy, and much more. First time reading? Sign up here.

You share, we listen. As always, send us feedback at [email protected].

One Big Headline

Bird Flu in Cambodia

The World Health Organization is looking into two human cases of avian influenza in Cambodia after an 11-year-old girl died following an infection and after her father also tested positive for the H5N1 strain. The cases are the first known human infections of the bird flu in the Southeast Asian country since 2014.

The development comes against the backdrop of a global bird flu outbreak since October 2021, including in the US where a record of more than 58 million birds have died since last February, pushing up egg prices. The flu normally spreads between sick poultry, which have a nearly 100% mortality rate when infected, and may occasionally spread from poultry to humans given sufficient exposure. The WHO currently assesses the threat to humans as low. See how the virus spreads here.

The H5N1 bird flu virus was first detected in 1996 in southern China, leading to an outbreak in the country and Hong Kong in 1997, when six people died (see visual timeline). Since 2003, more than 20 countries have reported roughly 870 human infections with the H5N1 strain, of which 457 have died. See data here.

Quick Hits

East Palestine, Ohio, residents file class-action against Norfolk Southern.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of residents living within 30 miles of the site of the Norfolk Southern Railway train derailment, seeks punitive damages as well as the creation of a fund for medical monitoring, new testing, and cleaning procedures. See our previous write-up here.

Nigerians prepare for presidential election in Africa\'s largest democracy.

A record 93.5 million Nigerians who are registered to vote will choose today from a pool of 18 candidates to replace outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari. The election comes as Nigeria grapples with economic and security issues, with two-thirds of its 220 million people living in poverty, oil production dropping to a 40-year low, and annual inflation rising to 21.8% (see more in charts).

Key US inflation measure rose more than expected in January.

The personal consumption expenditures price index, the Federal Reserve\'s preferred inflation gauge, rose 4.7% year-over-year in January, up from a 4.6% annual rate in December and more than the 4.4% rate analysts had expected. The index measures costs that consumers pay across a wide swath of items.

Three Scottish Parliament members in running to replace Sturgeon.

Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, and lawmaker Ash Regan are the nominated candidates to replace Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned as the Scottish Parliament\'s leader (see our previous write-up). Voting by party members opens March 13, with a winner announced March 27.

Swedish telecom company Ericsson laying off 8,500 workers.

The layoffs, announced Friday, will affect about 8% of Ericsson\'s global workforce and will begin in the first half of this year. The company said the workforce reduction is part of efforts to cut costs amid slowing demand.

Country star Brad Paisley releases song featuring Ukraine\'s president.

The song, "Same Here," reflects on universal similarities, despite language and distance, and features Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking at the end. Listen to the track here.

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Humankind

Mom creates handmade crayons to celebrate the beauty of all skin tones. (More)

... and another mom asks strangers to play sheet music written by her 10-year-old daughter, inspiring a symphony. (More, w/video)

UK students dangle themselves to rescue a dog that had fallen into a canal. (More)

Turkish firefighter rescues and adopts cat trapped in rubble. (More)

Furniture store gifts family with shopping spree after fire destroys home. (More)

Ohio barber helps children overcome their fears one haircut at a time. (More)

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Humankind(ness)

Today, we\'re sharing a story from reader Bill K. in Marana, Arizona.

"While living in Michigan, during a terrific snowstorm, my infant son became very ill ... We bundled up our ailing son; my old Plymouth refused to start in the subzero cold. Just then, a neighbor that we did not know, who had recently moved in, was returning from an errand and noticed our distress ... He insisted I use his car to get our son to the doctor. \'No argument,\' he declared. Off we went. A few miles down the road I noticed this car had less than a hundred miles on it. It was BRAND NEW! Upon returning I thanked him profusely and asked how could I repay him. \'When you have the opportunity to help someone in distress and you help them, I will be repaid.\'"

What act(s) of kindness did you experience this week? Tell us here.

Etcetera

Bookkeeping

> Kitchen appliances brand Cosori recalls 2 million air fryers over fire hazard.

> East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment toxins killed 43,000 fish and animals.

> Welsh family\'s 14.21-pound sunflower head breaks their own world record.

Browse

> America\'s 20 greatest beach towns.

> Mapping the cost of comfortably retiring around the world.

> Unseen photo of JFK on day of assassination found in Texas thrift shop.

> Silk wedding dress recovered from 17th century shipwreck.

> RollingStone\'s 100 best songs from 1983.

Listen

> Hidden Brain: How to cultivate your purpose.

Watch

> Gordon Ramsey as a 19-year-old apprentice.

> Where did water come from?

> ... and how did pirates get their accents?

> George Washington\'s hidden beer recipe.

Long Read

> The history of San Francisco\'s earthquake shacks.

> Paleotsunami detectives hunt for ancient disasters.

Best of the Week: National Geographic releases its Photo of the Year.

Historybook: Hiram Revels becomes first African American in US Congress (1870); Beatles guitarist George Harrison born (1943); Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, defeats Sonny Liston to win his first world heavyweight title (1964); Actress Téa Leoni born (1966); Playwright and poet Tennessee Williams dies (1983).

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

- Muhammad Ali

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Bird Flu, Nigeria Election, and America\'s Greatest Beach Towns