Catnip lotion as effective as Deet at repelling mosquitoes, study findsResearchers testing a cheap, homegrown oil in Uganda found what cats knew all along - it worked as well as the artificial chemical used globally A homegrown catnip lotion has proven "just as effective as Deet" as a mosquito repellant in trials carried out in Uganda.Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb from the mint family. The chemical in the plant that causes feline euphoria - nepetalactone - also has insect-repelling properties but this has not previously been commercialised. Continue reading...
What will define Elon Musk's legacy? Doge cuts to USAID Ebola programsExperts say cuts have hindered the response to DRC's Ebola outbreak and resulted in 'significant numbers' of deathsElon Musk has an Ebola problem. SpaceX stock dropped precipitously after its initial public offering, and Tesla faces a wave of lawsuits. But instead of focusing on his companies, Musk has posted frequently on X about the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which he helped dismantle - or, in his words, feed into the woodchipper - last year."Elon's USAID crash-out over the past week has been a thing to behold," said Jeremy Konyndyk, a former top USAID official who oversaw the agency's Ebola response in 2014-2015 and the president of Refugees International. "In a way, it's helpful that Elon is doing this, because it's putting attention back on the issue of what he did last year." Continue reading...
Five charged in Liberia after more than 200kg of cocaine seized in drug bustShipment discovered at airport in Monrovia and valued at £14.2m had been falsely declared as seasoning cubesAuthorities in Liberia have charged five suspects over one of the largest drug seizures in the country's history, after police found more than 200kg of cocaine falsely declared as Maggi seasoning cubes.The shipment, with an estimated value of $19m (£14.2m), was discovered at the international airport in Monrovia on 8 June, but the suspects were not named until a press briefing at the weekend. Continue reading...
Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt's western desertWell-preserved fourth-century quarters reveal details of daily life, urban development and economic activitiesArchaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era city in the western desert.The fourth-century quarters had residential and religious structures, including a basilica-style church in the Dakhla oasis. Archaeologists also found coins, pottery fragments and tools. Continue reading...
'The situation is terrible': aid workers on life in Sudanese city pummelled by drone strikesEl Obeid becomes key battleground in war between Sudan's armed forces and their paramilitary enemies, the RSFFatima has lost count of the number of drone attacks on the besieged city of El Obeid in Sudan, but said the attacks this past weekend were the most violent so far.The drones hit schools and fuel stations, killing more than 20 people, including students, she said. "Over the past few months, seeing 40 or 45 drones is the norm. You can literally count them," said the aid volunteer, whose name has been changed for fear of retribution. Continue reading...
French prosecutors investigate racist abuse of Kylian Mbappé by Paraguayan senatorCeleste Amarilla could face charges after French Football Federation complains about social media posts over World Cup matchProsecutors in France have opened an investigation into the racist attack on Kylian Mbappé by a Paraguayan senator, with officials weighing whether to demand that the senator be charged with aggravated public insult or incitement to hatred or violence.The Paris prosecutor's office told the Guardian on Tuesday it had launched the inquiry after the French Football Federation (FFF) filed a complaint with the national unit for combating online hate. Continue reading...
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