Axadle - Breaking news and analysis from Somalia, the Horn of Africa, and across Africa.

Let's make one thing clear: Reaching for a bag of potato chips every once and a while won't kill you. Everything in moderation is usually fine, right? Well, if you eat too many potato chips, you could be worsening your heart health—this is especially the case if you already have high blood pressure. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 45% of adults in the U.S. have hypertension or high blood pressure or are taking medication for the condition. Hypertension is defined as…

Stress is a normal part of our lives. If you need to escape from a burning building, you need that fight or flight response in order to survive. In that type of situation, you should welcome stress. But what happens when you live every moment of your life as if you're trying to flee a burning building? Those are the individuals who suffer from chronic stress, which is definitively pathological—and it can lead to chronic headaches, muscle spasms, palpitations, panic attacks, irritable bowel syndrome, and insomnia, amongst…

Leonardo DiCaprio may be most famous for his film career, but off-screen, the star hasn't been shy about sharing his other passion: environmentalism. While the actor has used his celebrity to encourage individuals to adopt solar power at home and drive electric cars in the past, his latest crusade hits a little closer to home. DiCaprio is now asking fans to help the planet—and their health—by giving up one dietary staple: meat. On March 4, the actor (and Beyond Meat partner) posted a tweet imploring fans to consider limiting…

A Hasty Withdrawal From Somalia U.S. troops can’t be everywhere forever. But the Trump administration hasn’t made a good case for its recently announced withdrawal from Somalia in Northeast Africa. President Trump has often expressed his skepticism of American…

Maybe you've been doing all the right things. You're eating nutritious foods, portioning them out properly, drinking lots of water, working out regularly—but you're still gaining weight. Don't worry, you're not the only one who experiences this frustration. In fact, if you're currently in a stressful season of your life, it can almost be expected. That's because stress can make your metabolism slow down, causing your body to hold on to that extra weight—regardless of your healthy habits. Here's what you need to know about…

The EU can unblock the so-called “electoral impasse” paralyzing Somalia by rejecting the involvement of the outgoing president. But it must also set out a new framework to help the country move forward. The four-year term of Somalia’s president, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, formally ended last week – but he has refused to leave the office. With the federal parliament’s mandate also expired as of December 2020, Somalia now, for all intents and purposes, lacks legitimate effective national government. Farmaajo argues that…

Dinner and a movie—or snacks and a movie—are a pairing as old as time. But with the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country for the past year, going to the movie theater and enjoying some popcorn or nachos feels like a thing of the past. But even while you're stuck at home, you can still enjoy some fun treats while sitting on the couch. Even if you're not leaving the house anytime soon, why not make a themed snack or meal to go with your latest Netflix binge? If To All the Boys: Always and Forever inspired you to whip up a…

Once considered exotic fare only available at Middle Eastern markets, hummus has rapidly found a place in Americans' hearts (and diets) over the last couple of decades. In fact, American's eat hummus so much now that sales skyrocketed from $5 million annually in the '90s to $725 million in 2016. How's that for a success story? If you're among the 25% of American households who now stock hummus in the fridge, you probably eat it on a weekly, if not daily, basis. Ever wonder how all that chickpea-and-olive-oil dip is affecting…

Fun fact: the first recorded use of the phrase "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" dates back to the 1860s, when it actually originated as "eat an apple on going to bed, and you'll keep the doctor from earning his bread." (We think the modern version is a bit snappier.) Eating a variety of foods is a hallmark of healthy eating, but apples really are worth eating every day. From Granny Smiths to Pink Ladies, you certainly have your choice of varieties, all of which boast tons of health-promoting nutrients. Here's what…

Do-overs: They're what your parents use to give you when you missed an easy hole on the mini-golf course. But sadly, with adulthood, comes "grown-up" responsibilities, leaving little to no time for second shots—especially when it comes to your long-term happy weight. Shedding pounds takes countless hours of dedication, so if you've already gone through the grind to reach your goal weight, do you really want to do it again? We didn't think so. You probably want permanent weight loss. So, go ahead and pat yourself on the…