To outsiders Zimbabwe seems to be in crisis. A cholera epidemic has killed over 1,000 Zimbabweans and the economy is in collapse. On Monday, the U.S. and Britain demanded that President Mugabe step down but Mugabe says he will never surrender. For insight into this transcontinental power-struggle, we turn to journalist Heidi Holland, the author of "Dinner With Mugabe: The Untold Story of a Freedom Fighter Who Became a Tyrant."

"People are starting to lose their sight, they're starting to lose limbs, they're getting heart disease -- all symptoms of diabetes. They're not aware what they're getting."
--Adam Mynott, speaking about the rapid spread of Type 2 diabetes in India

Today, 120 million children across Asia are taking a couple of minutes of their time to wash their hands. It's the highlight of a campaign organised by the United Nations children agency UNICEF to promote one of the most cost-effective forms of preventive healthcare.

Multiple sclerosis, once considered a disease that affected mainly those in Europe and North America, is actually a global concern. The Atlas of MS, the most comprehensive MS research study ever undertaken, was launched this week. For a look at the latest findings, The Takeaway checks in with the man who spearheaded this three-year endeavor.

Which U.S. state has the lowest life expectancy? Which congressional district has the highest high school dropout rate? The surprising answers to these questions can be found in “The Measure of America,” a new report that measures the American standard of living. Sarah Burd-Sharps explains how we’ve missed the fundamentals in the search of the American dream.