Jim Randle

Iran Looking to Boost Exports of Its 'Red Gold' Saffron

Iran produces most of the world's saffron and hopes to export more of the expensive spice that is important to the nation's economy. But Iran's farmers will have to overcome renewed U.S. sanctions to boost sales. VOA's Jim Randle narrates our report.

Iran Looking to Boost Exports of Its 'Red Gold' Saffron

Iran produces most of the world's saffron and hopes to export more of the expensive spice that is important to the nation's economy. But Iran's farmers will have to overcome renewed U.S. sanctions to boost sales. VOA's Jim Randle narrates our report.

Lying in Style: Crystal-Studded Coffin Highlights Moscow Funeral Show

Funeral directors in Moscow say a growing number of people are ignoring traditions and crafting unique and flashy celebrations of life

Strange Creatures on Danish Beach Turn Out to be Art, Not a Space Invasion

Artists from around the world have created fanciful, strange, beautiful and huge sculptures at a beach on Denmark's West coast. It is a blend of science fiction, technical skill and about 1,200 tons of sand. VOA's Jim Randle narrates our story.

Art, Not Aliens Adorn Danish Beach

Artists from around the world have created fanciful, strange, beautiful and huge sculptures at a beach on Denmark's west coast.  It is a blend of science fiction, technical skill and about 1,200 tons of sand.  VOA's Jim Randle narrates our story. 

Horse Manure Transformed to Heat and Light

Organizers of a major horse jumping exhibition in Helsinki, Finland, are re-defining the term horsepower. They are taking more than 100 tons of waste from hundreds of horses and converting it to electricity.

Horse Manure Transformed to Heat and Light

Kenyan Researchers Seek East Africa's First Anti-Venom

In Kenya, snakebites kill at least 700 people a year, so local researchers are working to make effective treatment available at much lower costs to save lives. It is dangerous work, handling large snakes armed with fangs and deadly poison. But extracting and processing that poison can save lives. VOA's Jim Randle narrates our story.

Kenyan Researchers Seek East Africa's First Anti-Venom

In Kenya, snakebites kill at least 700 people a year, so local researchers are working to make effective treatment available at much lower costs to save lives. It is dangerous work, handling large snakes armed with fangs and deadly poison. But extracting and processing that poison can save lives. VOA's Jim Randle narrates our story.

Ivorian Painter With No Arms or Legs Makes Art -- and A Living

In Ivory Coast, an artist works hard for his money, painting scenes with pen, brush and paint -- even though he has neither arms nor legs. VOA's Jim Randle tells us how he does it.

Ivorian Painter With No Arms or Legs Makes Art -- and A Living

In Ivory Coast, an artist works hard for his money, painting scenes with pen, brush and paint -- even though he has neither arms nor legs. VOA's Jim Randle tells us how he does it.

NASA Eyes Inflatable Space Habitats for Moon, Mars and Beyond

When astronauts orbit the moon, or live on its surface in the decade ahead, they will probably be inside inflatable space lodges now in development. Dozens of NASA officials and veteran astronauts are wrapping up a review of five space habitat mockups built by different companies. VOA's Jim Randle has a look at the results.

 NASA Eyes Inflatable Space Habitats for Moon, Mars and Beyond

When astronauts orbit the moon, or live on its surface in the decade ahead, they will probably be inside inflatable space lodges now in development. Dozens of NASA officials and veteran astronauts are wrapping up a review of five space habitat mockups built by different companies. VOA's Jim Randle has a look at the results.

Paris Zoo Unveils Mysterious Bright Yellow 'Blob'

Is it an animal? A fungus? A bit of both?

Paris Zoo Unveils Mysterious Bright Yellow 'Blob'

The Paris Zoo is welcoming a new occupant -- the "blob." This bright yellow, unicellular, brainless organism, exists all over the world and can move, eat, and even solve problems. This is the first time in the world that it has been presented to the public. VOA's Jim Randle has our story.

Huge Expansion for Insect Factory Farms

Scientists worry about feeding 2 billion more people in the future as climate change hampers farmers and fishing fleet catches disappoint. To produce more protein more efficiently, startups are creating new farms that use artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced industrial techniques to raise tens of thousands of tons of insects to feed farmed fish and livestock. VOA's Jim Randle reports that insects efficiently turn waste food into protein at a fraction of the environmental impact.

How Worms Can Help Feed the World

Scientists worry about feeding 2 billion more people in the future as climate change hampers farmers and fishing fleet catches disappoint. To produce more protein more efficiently, startups are creating new farms that use artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced industrial techniques to raise tens of thousands of tons of insects to feed farmed fish and livestock. VOA's Jim Randle reports that insects efficiently turn waste food into protein at a fraction of the environmental impact.

Cubans Once Again Feeling Energy Crunch

Travelers and farmers rely on animal power instead of diesel or gasoline

An African First, Madagascar Caviar Tickles Tastebuds in France

Caviar, a food associated with luxury, is being produced for the first time in Madagascar. The product makes consumers in faraway France happy, and provides hundreds of jobs in this African country. VOA's Jim Randle has our story.

An African First, Madagascar Caviar Tickles Tastebuds in France

Caviar, a food associated with luxury, is being produced for the first time in Madagascar. The product makes consumers in faraway France happy, and provides hundreds of jobs in this African country. VOA's Jim Randle has our story.