The Food Secured series addresses the crisis in the global food system, exacerbated by conflict, climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to explore innovative ideas for creating a sustainable and resilient food and agriculture sector by bringing together experts from various fields to discuss challenges and insights for driving change, with the goal of transforming the food and nutrition system for a better future.

MSD for Mothers, an initiative by Merck & Co., Inc., aims to prevent maternal deaths by focusing on access to contraception and quality maternal health care. The initiative takes a holistic approach to address community factors and inequalities impacting maternal health, leveraging the private sector to improve outcomes and strengthen health care delivery systems.

Mussel farms in Spain's Ebro Delta are facing a crisis due to rising Mediterranean temperatures, with an 80% loss of seed mussels during a summer heatwave. Xavier Cabrera, a local farmer, has seen production plummet from 10,000 to 1,500 tonnes over the years. The region, known for its biodiversity and seafood, is grappling with climate change, coastal erosion, and mismanagement. Efforts to adapt include importing mussel seed from cooler regions like Greece and diversifying into oyster farming and other fisheries. Researchers and farmers are exploring solutions such as moving production to cooler waters and using longline techniques, but challenges remain, including the risk of introducing invasive species and the need for new permits for offshore operations.

The article discusses the challenges faced by individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the rise of gut health influencers on social media who claim to offer solutions. It highlights the skepticism of medical professionals like Dr. William Chey towards one-size-fits-all solutions and the importance of evidence-based treatments. Personal stories from IBS sufferers like Jessica Jenner and Christine Olivo illustrate the impact of the condition and the role of community in coping with it. The article also touches on the responsibility of influencers in promoting products and the need for consumers to conduct their own research.

Russian authorities have suppressed independent media following the invasion of Ukraine, leading to journalists fleeing the country. Exiled journalists are seeking new funding methods, including cryptocurrency donations, to continue reporting. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Tether offer a way to receive international support despite sanctions and financial restrictions. The collapse of the crypto exchange FTX highlights the risks involved with crypto markets. Despite these challenges, crypto donations remain a vital tool for Russian journalists to maintain their operations abroad.

The article discusses how to identify authentic Italian restaurants in Barcelona, distinguishing them from those that are merely Instagrammable. It highlights the importance of traditional ingredients like aged Parmigiano Reggiano and San Marzano tomatoes, as well as the significance of proper pasta pairings with sauces. The piece features stories of Italian restaurateurs like Pietro Leonetti and Danilo Di Monaco, who have brought genuine Italian cuisine to the city. It also provides a list of recommended authentic Italian eateries in Barcelona, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and Italian hospitality.

The 'One Health' approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, is essential for public health outcomes and pandemic preparedness, as diseases often originate in animals. The approach includes cross-sector collaboration and has been highlighted in the São Paulo Declaration on Planetary Health. Wendy Harrison, CEO of SCI Foundation, discusses the importance of One Health in eliminating neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), improving disease surveillance, and ensuring interventions tackle the root causes of diseases. Examples from Chad and Kenya illustrate the practical application of One Health, and the need for holistic funding models is emphasized.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the essential role of health care workers and revealed the challenges they face, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A virtual event hosted by Devex and partners discussed these challenges and potential solutions to empower health workers. Global health leaders called for increased investment in community health and infrastructure, a rethinking of health as an investment rather than an expense, and the importance of preparedness. Health care practitioners emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, advocacy, upskilling, reskilling, and reliable provision of training and equipment.

The article discusses the critical role of health care workers in achieving universal health coverage and global health security, highlighting the predicted shortfall of 18 million health care workers by 2030. It emphasizes the challenges faced by health care workers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The lack of resources, underfunding, and the need for better training and protection for health care workers are key issues. The article also addresses the 'brain drain' phenomenon and the importance of investments in health workforces for sustainable development. It cites the World Health Organization's recommendations for investing in health workers and the disparities in health spending between low- and high-income countries. The need for collaboration among doctors, governments, donors, and the international community is underscored as essential for addressing these challenges.

The article discusses the emergence of virtual sex as a phenomenon, drawing a parallel to how the VHS format became popular due to the pornography industry. It suggests that virtual reality devices may experience a similar boost in popularity due to their potential use in the adult entertainment sector.

The article discusses the importance of practical experience in the field of journalism, emphasizing that journalism is best learned by practicing it, akin to the idea that one creates a path by walking it. The piece highlights the role of student-produced magazines in educating generations of journalism students, suggesting that these publications serve as a training ground for aspiring journalists.

Natalie Donback interviews Xevi Pigem about his new album 'De desnudos y desconocidos', discussing the challenges of writing positive songs and his critical view of his surroundings. London-based band Is Tropical talks about recording part of their new album 'Black Anything Part 1' in Murcia, featuring a darker sound. Additionally, L'Auditori de Barcelona announces Viking Musik Barcelona, a concert series featuring Nordic artists including José González, who is releasing his new album 'Vestiges & Claws'.

Natalie Donback reflects on the rise of the Sverigedemokraterna (SD) party in Sweden, expressing concern over the 18 percent of her neighbors who voted for a party she describes as racist. She contrasts her experiences of acceptance in Spain with the intolerance faced by her family in Sweden. Donback argues that fear is the only motivation for voting for SD and criticizes the party's stance on Swedish identity. She emphasizes the importance of dialogue and information to counteract the hatred and intolerance that have emerged in Swedish society.