newsheaven

Austria has closed off two dozen border crossings with its neighbours Hungary and Slovakia in a big to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and prevent it from entering the country. Slovakia declared an emergency situation on Tuesday after the disease was found on three farms. Hungary had the first outbreak of the highly infectious disease in 50 years on Wednesday, leading the country to deploy soldiers and launch disinfection measures to contain it in an area bordering Slovakia and Austria. The diseases, which poses no danger to humans, mostly affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals like swine, sheep and goats. Infected animals experience fever and mouth blisters as part of the symptoms of the disease. Outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions and culls of some livestock. Austrian health authorities are conducting rigorous checks at the few open border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia. Cars have to cross over an epidemic rug to prevent the virus from ...

The rainy season comes with a lot of goodies. Talinum triangulare (waterleaf) is in season. Crassocephalum crepidioides, known as ‘efo ebolo’ in Yoruba, Crassocephalum biafrae, known as ‘efo worowo’, and Amaranthus viridis (tete abalaye) are also some of the vegetables that come with this season. Nobody plants all these vegetables—nature gives them to us! Please take advantage of this season by eating these vegetables, and do not forget to add locust beans each time you cook them. This week, I will be talking about the foods we need to eat and some lifestyle changes we need to imbibe to achieve good gut health. Before then, I would like to share the outcome of a large study published in the journal Nature Microbiology. For the study, more than 21,000 people in the United States, United Kingdom, and Italy used an app to answer detailed questionnaires about what they ate regularly. Their diets were grouped into three categories: omnivore (including meat, dair...

Despite the official ban on child labour in Lagos, many children still toil at construction sites and engage in other perilous jobs in the shadows of the city’s dangerous streets just to support their families. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE, in this report, explores their daily fight for survival—heartbreaking stories of sacrifice and resilience amid harsh realities Every day, a disturbing reality plays out in Lagos, a city where children aged between five and 17 are legally barred from working at construction sites. As the morning sun streaks across the sky, the city’s skyline becomes dotted with the small, stooped figures of young labourers who navigate the hazards of construction sites every day, despite the protective legislation in place. They are also found in shadowy streets and bustling markets. Often no older than twelve, these children are not working out of choice but out of sheer necessity. For them, the daily grind is not an act of rebellion bu...

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, is billed to meet the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday. Sanusi was invited to the Force Headquarters in Abuja by Egbetokun through a letter dated April 4 and signed by a Commissioner of Police (Operations), Olajide Ibitoye. The IGP requested Sanusi to report to the Force Intelligence Department headquarters in Abuja by 10 a.m. According to the letter, the invitation is in relation to an incident that occurred during the Sallah celebration in Kano. Though the police did not give full details, multiple sources confirmed that the invitation is tied to the controversial Durbar procession held in defiance of a police ban, which led to tension and a tragic loss of life. The Kano State Police Command had, on March 30, 2025, arrested one Usman Sagiru in connection with the alleged killing and attack on vigilante members in Sanusi’s entourage on Eid-el-Fitr day. However, some Kano resid...

The problems could cost the equivalent of US$57 billion, around 22 per cent of the total national health budget China, plagued with famine six or seven decades ago , is facing an obesity crisis, prompting warnings that more than 65 per cent of adults could be overweight or obese by 2030. Beijing is racing against time before chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular problems place further pressure on the country's healthcare system. Last year, the National Health Commission (NHC) and other government departments launched a three-year plan to tackle the problem, which includes diet and exercise recommendations. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. Last month it stepped up its efforts by announcing a plan to introduce m...

Sample 1: “The demolition which entered its second week was put on halt after the death of pastor Heinkpoyanwa last Saturday. To this end, the entire Makoko community have not seized to mourn this unfortunate incident … On the day of this ugly incident, his first wife who was briefed of what happened immediately drowned with her child. She is presently recuperating at an undisclosed hospital… when Justina Hunkpoyanwa, 25 heard the news of the death of her father, she collapsed but later regain consciousness… the late Baale had many children, he was only the breadwinner of the entire Hunkpoyanwa family… The second wife… also expressed deep sorrow to the unfortunate incident.”(Family of Slain Makoko Chief lament Ordeal, The Vanguard, July 8,2012 ). The first expression that catches our attention is “the demolition…was put on halt,” particularly the aspect put on halt. All the three words here (put on halt) are familiar words of English, but the collocation rings slightly unfamiliar....

A man flying from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney will face serious charges after allegedly attempting to open the plane's emergency door several times during the flight. The 46-year-old Jordanian man is accused of trying to open the rear emergency exit door mid-flight on Saturday evening. The dangerous alleged act sparked immediate concern from crew and passengers and the man was escorted back to a seat in the middle of the plane. However, the 46-year-old allegedly made a second attempt to open the middle emergency exit door. He was restrained by crew members and passengers with one worker allegedly assaulted in the process. Australian Federal Police arrested the man once the plane landed safely in Sydney. It is unclear which airline was affected by the incident. More to come... Read more