Bangladesh is undergoing a significant political transition following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power. The country faces the challenge of renewing its democracy after a month of violent protests, which resulted in over 500 deaths. The unrest was sparked by the reinstatement of a controversial public service quota favoring descendants of those who supported Bangladesh's independence in 1971, linked to the ruling Awami League. A student-led anti-quota movement catalyzed widespread national protests, reflecting deep-seated dissatisfaction with the government's policies.

Dipanwita Ridi, founder of Bangladesh’s first animal adoption shelter, has dedicated her life to rescuing and rehabilitating stray cats and dogs. Despite financial challenges and personal sacrifices, she continues to run the ALB animal shelter in Dhaka, which houses 80 dogs and 65 cats. The shelter is funded by donations, monthly fees, and Dipanwita’s personal funds. Dipanwita leads a minimalist lifestyle to support the shelter, working as a freelance translator and content writer. Her efforts have made her a key figure in animal welfare in Bangladesh.

California's new Garment Worker Protection Act, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, bans piece-rate work and guarantees hourly wages for garment workers, addressing long-standing wage theft and labor violations in Los Angeles' garment industry. The law holds fashion brands accountable for wage theft and underpayment, incentivizing them to monitor their supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated labor abuses, with workers facing unsafe conditions and reduced wages. The Garment Worker Center and other advocates aim to ensure the law is enforced, empowering workers to exercise their rights.

Smallpox, a disease that killed at least 300 million people in the 20th century, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known case of the deadly strain, Variola Major, was in Rahima Banu, a toddler from Bangladesh in 1975. Despite experiencing social discrimination due to her scars, Banu recovered and leads a grateful life with her family. The eradication of smallpox remains the only successful worldwide elimination of a human disease, attributed to its visible symptoms and the absence of asymptomatic cases, unlike diseases like COVID-19.

Smallpox, a devastating disease with a history of over 3,000 years, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known case of the deadly strain, Variola Major, occurred in Rahima Banu, a toddler in Bangladesh, in 1975. Despite experiencing social discrimination due to her scars, Banu recovered without long-term health issues and leads a grateful life with her husband and children. The eradication of smallpox remains the only successful worldwide elimination of a human disease, attributed partly to its visible symptoms, unlike asymptomatic diseases like COVID-19.

Rahima Banu holds a significant place in medical history as the last known person to be infected with naturally-occurring deadly smallpox. The disease, which had a devastating impact on humanity for over 3,000 years, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. Banu's case in Bangladesh in 1975 marked the end of Variola Major, the most deadly strain of smallpox. Despite the challenges she faced, including social discrimination due to her scars, Banu speaks positively about her life, her family, and the attention she has received from health workers and journalists. The article also highlights the contributions of key individuals like Daniel Tarantola and Alan Schnur in the eradication effort and the innovative strategies used, such as the bifurcated needle for vaccinations.

Smallpox, a disease that has plagued humanity for over 3,000 years, was declared eradicated in 1980 by the World Health Organization. The last known case of the deadly strain, Variola Major, was in Rahima Banu, a toddler from Bangladesh in 1975. The eradication efforts involved extensive vaccination campaigns and international collaboration. Despite the challenges, including civil unrest and the need to vaccinate entire communities discreetly, the program succeeded. Rahima Banu recovered without long-term health issues, though she faced social discrimination due to scarring. The success of the smallpox eradication program remains unparalleled, with diseases like polio and malaria still not eradicated.

Smallpox, a disease that has plagued humanity for over 3,000 years, was eradicated in 1980 following a global campaign led by the World Health Organization. The last known case of naturally-occurring deadly smallpox was in Rahima Banu, a toddler from Bangladesh in 1975. Despite social discrimination due to her scars, Banu recovered and leads a grateful life with her family. The success of the smallpox eradication program is attributed to the visibility of the disease and the absence of asymptomatic cases, unlike diseases such as COVID-19.

The article recounts the historical significance of Rahima Banu, the last known person to be infected with naturally-occurring deadly smallpox, and the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate the disease. It highlights the challenges faced by health workers like Daniel Tarantola and Alan Schnur in Bangladesh during the 1970s, the strategies employed to contain the virus, and the eventual success of the global smallpox eradication program. The narrative also touches on the personal life of Rahima Banu, her recovery, and the social discrimination she faced due to the scars left by the disease.

Rahima Banu holds a unique place in history as the last known person to be infected with naturally-occurring deadly smallpox. The article details the efforts of the World Health Organization (WHO) in eradicating smallpox, highlighting the contributions of key figures like Daniel Tarantola and Alan Schnur. The eradication campaign involved extensive vaccination efforts and local collaborations, particularly in Bangladesh, the last country to report cases of Variola Major. Despite the challenges, the program succeeded, and smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980. Rahima Banu, who recovered from the disease, reflects on her life and the social discrimination she faced due to her scars. The article underscores the significance of the smallpox eradication program as a landmark achievement in public health.