Aria Jafar Alser was kidnapped by rebels in Sudan at 14. The war left it orphaned. The uncle, the only family he had, was beaten to death before her eyes. Aria was violated several times before being released by government troops.
Aria Jafar Alser now lives in the Kiryandongo refugee camp in Uganda, with a foster mother and another Sudanese young man who also fled alone. They survived the war and violence, but the battle is not over yet. Now they face severe cuts in food aid, which has so far been guaranteed by funds from the United States. Nabila Ajlan Babikir, Aria’s foster mother, no longer knows what to do.
“In May, they cut my help. I do my best to feed the girls, but paying the school and transportation is impossible.”
Aria has not attended school for months. Survives with a single meal a day.
“Sometimes my shadow seems stronger than me”
The drastic cuts in the United States, but also the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, are severely affecting Sudanese refugees. Germany, the second largest donor of the United Nations Agency for Refugees (UNHCR), can also reduce support.
UNHCR accuses the international community of indifference to war in Sudan. Conditions in refugee camps have rapidly deteriorated. About 250,000 Sudanese have already fled to Libya, with the aim of reaching Europe. Aria also doesn’t want to continue living in Uganda.
“I just want a place where I feel good.”
Radicalized at 13, in Germany, wanted to kill as many people as possible
The identity of the German teenager was protected but the gravity justifies that the case was revealed. A 13 -year -old girl resident in the Vestefália region of Germany without any contact with Muslim circles or friends of Islamic origin was radicalized on the internet.
The teenager lived almost alone, her mother passed away and her father did not take on parental care. According to Thomas Mücke, director of the violence prevention network, these children and young people become too easy target.
“Adherence to these groups is always related to the feeling of impotence and invisibility that children and young people feel.”
Europol has revealed that terrorist groups are increasingly directing efforts to children and young people between 8 and 17, exploit loneliness and emotional vulnerability to radicalize them. This case was discovered by the authorities of the Paderborn district in Germany, before any attack occurred, but gravity left everyone on alert and the teenager was classified as very dangerous.
“This is a case where radicalization did not come from a Muslim environment. The child will have told adults that he wanted to kill as many people as possible before being 14 years old and becoming criminally responsible.”
The teenager was eventually taken from home and placed under police surveillance in a resort, accompanied by two social workers. The measure eventually had to be changed. The girl attacked the police officers and was eventually admitted to a unit of children’s psychiatry.
Catos Cemetery: What is Changing Arizona desert?
In the heart of the Arizona desert in the United States, one of the most emblematic icons in the American Sudoeste is facing a silent but devastating threat: extreme heat. Catos Saguaro, who for centuries have resisted the arid conditions of the region, are now succumbing to record temperatures that challenge even the most resilient species.
The Jon Gurule guide knows the tracks well with Scottsdale, Arizona. Almost every day it takes tourists to the desert and everyone wants to see the same thing.
“Everyone wants to take a photograph with a Saguaro. They are undoubtedly the main attraction. But now it seems that they are melting.”
Since 2020, parts of Arizona have recorded heat waves with temperatures above 43 ° C for consecutive weeks. Scientists say that Catos are suffering repeated “heat blows” and that this is causing the accelerated death of centenary specimens. Recent studies reveal that the phoenix area’s mortality rate has increased from 1 or 2% to about 7% per year, an unsustainable pace for a plant that may take more than a century to reach maturity. Kevin Hultine has been studying the Sage for 14 years and warns of the consequences.
“Let’s see more and more these landscapes that seem like cattle cemeteries as the desert continues to warm up.”
Kevin Hultine’s team is working to identify the most resistant heat and drought varieties, with the aim of preserving the species in places such as the national forest of dizzy.
For now, Cato Saguaro, a symbol of the Old West, faces the greatest challenge of its existence: to adapt to a world in rapid climate transformation.
At 10, it creates organization that brings music to abandoned animals
In a moving gesture that is gaining hearts in the United States, a 12 -year -old is using music power to relieve animal stress in shelters while waiting for a definitive home. The initiative, named Wild Tunes, was born from Yuvi Agarwal’s love for animals and music and is growing rapidly.
The story of Wild Tunes began when Yuvi was only 10 years old. During a visit to a refuge of animals in Houston, where he used to read to animals, he had an idea that would change life in hundreds of shelters.
“My son has been an animal lover all his life. When I took him to read the animals in an animal refuge in Houston, he asked me: Mom can I come play music for them?”
What started as a simple question of a child became an organization as a polar bear to open his mouth and show his teeth with more than 100 volunteers in 3 US states. Colorado is the latest addition to the project, which started in Texas. Yuri’s mother helps him manage Wild Tunes and does not hide pride because the project continues to grow.
“It gives me goose bumps. It has really been a pioneer and wants to continue to grow. He wants to reach as many states as possible over the next five years. I’ve seen so many beautiful moments. It’s hard to describe, but it’s lovely.”
Yuvi’s idea pleases animals and whom they take care of them. Music has proven therapeutic effects in stress.
“This is usually a highly stressful environment for them. Music reduces this stress, also helps them rebuild their bridges with humans and adopting faster.”
Yuvi believes music brings benefits to all: animals, refug staff and volunteer musicians. The 12 -year -old has no doubt about which is the best reward he can receive.
“Making a difference in animal lives is the best part.”
Wild Tunes will continue to expand and lead music and hope to animal refuges throughout the American territory, one chord at a time.
How to ask a polar bear to open his mouth and show his teeth?
In the Hanover zoo in Germany, roars, winches and grunts gave way to trained gestures and tasty rewards. This is how the keepers are revolutionizing veterinary care with a medical training program that allows animals to collaborate voluntarily during examinations and treatments, without resorting to anesthesia.
When it comes to animal health, expressions such as “says ahhh” don’t work. Therefore, keepers like Benedikt Knüppe resort to small steps and positive reinforcement to teach specific behaviors. The Polar Sprinter bear, for example, has learned to show the paws so that they can be examined looking for wounds, thorns or signs of pain.
“I can even hit the paw pillow to see if you’re sensitive,” explains the handmade Benedikt Knüppe. This method proved essential when, in February, Sprinter’s girlfriend, Milana, was diagnosed with tooth pain during a training session. The problem? It was a party molar, which was promptly operated.
The secret is positive reinforcement: every correct behavior is rewarded with a treat. This approach is applied to various species of the Hanover zoo. The Californian Marine Lioness Pam, for example, is being trained to play with her nose in a ball attached to a stick. This simple gesture allows the Stefanie Leitner Treator to touch any part of the animal’s body, check lesions, observe the fins and even measure the temperature.
“If she had any wounds, I could check it. We can even simulate ultrasound and radiographs without any problem.”
Although Sprinter is the largest land predator, with about 600 pounds, Benedikt Knüppe guarantees that training creates a trusting relationship.
“We know he’s a sweet, very calm by nature. But one must never forget that he remains a giant predator.”
In addition to improving health care, medical training is a playful activity that mentally stimulates animals and strengthens the bond with keepers. This type of training is gaining prominence in zoos around the world, not only by reducing animal stress, but also for allowing faster diagnoses and less invasive interventions. And, as Hanover’s example shows, even polar bears can learn to collaborate as long as there is patience, consistency and a tasty reward in the end.
