December 23, 2016

New Ebola Vaccine Proves Highly Effective

It works. Scientists announced on Thursday that the new Ebola vaccine could prevent major outbreaks from happening ever again. The vaccine, which proved 100 percent effective in the test trial, is expected to gain approval from the World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2018. While the durability of the vaccine remains to be seen, researchers are optimistic about its capacity to stop the spread of the virus and control small outbreaks.

Acid Attack Survivors in India Celebrate Café’s Second Anniversary

They call themselves fighters. More than a dozen acid attack survivors celebrated the second anniversary of Sheroes Hangout, the café they manage in Agra, India. Launched by the Stop Acid Attacks campaign, Sheroes Hangout provides an opportunity to acid attack survivors to reintegrate into society and fight against acid violence.

As acid attack cases in India are on the rise, campaigners are demanding their government to put an end to acid violence and hold perpetrators accountable.

Gambian President Rejects Electoral Defeat

The ball’s in their court now. On Wednesday, the Gambia’s longtime dictator Yahya Jammeh said he would wait for the Supreme Court to rule on December’s presidential election results before ceding power to President-elect Adama Barrow. The court hearing is set for January 10, nine days before Barrow’s inauguration.

West African leaders have urged him to leave office peacefully. Civil society organizations including ActionAid have paid courtesy calls on President-elect Barrow, recognizing him as the next president of The Gambia.