The global challenges

A boy cools off during the heat wave in Asia. Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP  

The global challenges  

The record heat in Thailand may remain until the summer  

Around ten people have died as a result of the extreme heat wave in Thailand, writes SR Ekot.  

According to experts that VOA News spoke to, the record heat is expected to remain until the end of the summer.  

The unusually early extreme heat has affected large parts of Asia and meant temperatures of over 40 degrees in several countries. 

The authorities have urged residents to stay indoors to seek protection from the extreme heat. 

Linnah Mueni buys maize flour in a small shop in Kitengela, on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Mueni makes a living by selling vegetables and says that food prices have meant that the family is forced to live on one meal a day. Khalil Senosi / AP 

Climate threat The crisis in the Horn of Africa  

Food prices pressure Kenya: "Mostly can't afford it"  

Perennial drought and the war in Ukraine have worsened the food shortage and led to rising food prices in Kenya, AP writes. For example, the price of cornmeal has doubled in the past year.  

Small restaurants are forced to raise prices and reduce portions. 

- We had to reduce the size of our chapati (a type of flatbread, editor's note). Just raising the price was not enough, because the price of cooking oil is also high, says restaurant owner Mark Kioko. 

Linnah Meuni, the mother of four who lives on the outskirts of Nairobi, also testifies to a difficult financial situation.  

- Most of the time we can't afford to eat both lunch and dinner because the rent and school fees also have to be paid.