"Prepare For Killer Heat Waves" - United Nations Warns

The world should prepare for further heat waves this year, the UN weather agency officials said early this week in Geneva.

Parts of Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the U.S. have already seen record temperatures for May and June.

The Pakistani city, Turbat, recorded 54 degrees in late May, the hottest temperature ever seen in Asia, according to the World Meteorological Agency (WMO).

The world record of 56.7 degrees was set in Death Valley in the U.S. in 1913.

“The concern now is that we are close to that record,” WMO meteorologist Omar Baddour told a press conference.

“According to the data we have, we expect to have other heat waves in many parts of the world,” he said.

According to the WMO, many heat-related deaths could be prevented if authorities issue public warnings; make sure that vulnerable populations are sheltered; and prepare hospitals for an increase in patients.

In 2003, a heat wave in Europe caused 70,000 deaths, while a short spell of extreme heat in India and Pakistan in 2015 killed 4,000 people.

India has started issuing health advisories and has drawn up effective action plans in recent years, WMO spokeswoman Clare Nullis said.

According to official U.S. and European data, between January and May, average global temperatures were the second highest on record, with the record only having been set in 2016, reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The 2016 heat spike was fuelled by the El Nino, a weather phenomenon caused by unusually warm water in the Pacific Ocean.

This year, weather experts do not expect an El Nino.

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Mosquitos In Nigeria Rapidly Developing Resistance To Insecticides - Research

The Nigeria Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, has raised alarm over the increasing incidence of mosquito resistance to Long Lasting Insecticide Nets, LLINs, in 18 states of the federation, even as over 50 million Nigerians still test positive to malaria annually.

In a new report released early this week, by the institute, it was revealed that Lagos, Ogun and Niger states have the highest incidence of resistance cases.

Other states where resistance have been reported include Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Benue, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Anambra, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

Giving insight into the outcome of the report, Deputy Director & Head, Public Health Department, NIMR, Dr. Sam Awolola, said since 2003, over 182 million LLINs had been distributed in Nigeria, with only 16 percent reduction rate in 2008 to 2011 which have not been sustained.

Awolola regretted that one of the consequences of the development was that more deaths from malaria were imminent in the affected areas, adding that the situation called for great concern.

He blamed the new trend of resistance to use of same reagents on agricultural products, stressing that “basically, one of the major factors that contributed to insecticide resistance is the use of same reagents for agriculture globally.

Most of the insecticide used in public health are also used in agriculture, which is a major source of resistance.” Corroborating his views, Director General of NIMR, Prof. Babatunde Salako, said the progress Nigeria had made in combating malaria was under threat due to the spread of insecticide resistance.

“There is clear evidence that insecticide resistance has been confirmed in at least 20 states across Nigeria.

There is a gap of resistant data in 14 states which requires urgent attention,” he said. He explained that such resistance could lead to public health crisis, as insecticide resistance could quickly over power the current portfolio of vector control tools, especially LLINs.

Salako said it was high time the country did away with ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, and embrace multiple vector control interventions. “There is need to explore alternative non-chemical base control measures,’’ he said.

Salako called on government to support a large scale operational research on deployment and use of PBO-LLINs in insecticide-resistance hot spot areas. “The government should commission NIMR as a hub for vector surveillance and insecticide resistance mapping in Nigeria.

"Empower NIMR to explore the use of alternative mosquito control measures such as the “Sterile Insect techniques” and “genetic modified mosquito” for malaria control in Nigeria,’’ he said.

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Hair Dye Relaxers Raises Breast Cancer Risk

Common salon hair treatments involving Hair dye and chemical relaxers can drastically increase the risk of breast cancer. This is contained in a new study conducted by researchers at the Rutgers School of Public Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The researchers found there was an alarming increase in the risk of developing the disease when certain women used dark hair dye and chemical relaxers.

Hair colouring, or hair dyeing, is the practice of changing the hair colour and the main reasons for this are cosmetic: to cover gray or white hair, to change to a colour regarded as more fashionable or desirable, and to restore the original hair color after it has been discoloured by hairdressing processes or sun bleaching.

On its part, a relaxer is a type of lotion or cream generally used by people with tight curls or very curly hair which makes hair easier to straighten by chemically “relaxing” the natural curls. The active agent is usually a strong alkali, although some formulations are based on ammonium thioglycolate instead.

According to the researchers, black women who dyed their hair had a 51 per cent increase in risk and white women who used relaxers had a 74 per cent increase in risk.

Previous research has suggested there was a link between harsh hair treatments and breast cancer, but most studies don’t include black women.

The researchers suggested that toxic chemicals in the products can harm the body and are using these findings to further investigate the danger of using chemical products on the body.

Experts asked more than 4,000 black and white women in the New Jersey and New York area their habits of dying, relaxing or using deep conditioning creams.

Researchers then examined the study participants’ medical history to see if these products elevated the risk of breast cancer.


Black women who used dark hair dye had an overall 51 per cent greater risk of the cancer.

They also had a 72 per cent increased risk of developing estrogen receptor positive breast cancer, which is the most common type of the disease.

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"We Are Importing Poison, Not Rice" - Nigerian Governor

The chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, has condemned the continuous importation of rice into the country, describing it as importation of poison.

Bagudu told journalists on Sunday, in Birnin-Kebbi, that the imported rice, auctioned by different countries, was no longer good for human consumption.

The chairman, who expressed regret over citizens’ patronage of foreign rice, said imported rice usually contained preservatives, which are poisonous.

He disclosed that there were three major importers of rice into the country who specialised in importing very cheap and auctioned rice.

The governor said that Thailand in April 2017, auctioned 1.62 million tonnes of rice at about $140 per tonne whereas the market price of it was $700 per tonne.

“Countries, particularly, Thailand, India, China and Vietnam, buy a lot of paddy from their farmers and keep in storage sometimes, as long as nine years so that by so doing, they are supporting their farmers.

“A country like Thailand, for example, may have eight million tonnes of rice in storage; so occasionally, they will auction the ones that are almost going bad that is, the one that is not fit for human consumption.
“They sell the paddy as low as 20 per cent less than the international market price.

The governor said that out of the 600 million tonnes of rice produced in the world, Nigeria produced about six million tonnes which represented one per cent of the production.

Bagudu said that rice could grow in the 36 states of the federation and called on stakeholders and citizens to come together to advance rice production.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on June 7, established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production.

At the inauguration, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was trying to evolve a strategy for the economy, for employment and for feeding the people.

Other members of the Task Force were Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi.

Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture, Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association, Mr Aminu Goronyo and the President, Wheat Farmers Association, Alhaji Salim Muhammad.

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Vibarex: The Effective Herbal Cure For Weak Erection

Even though they are ashamed to talk about it in the public, many men are suffering silently from the scourge of weak erection. Weak erection has taken the shine off many marriages because the man cannot satisfy his wife sexually; and in some cases, it is so acute that the man might not be able to penetrate and thus cannot impregnate his wife.

What is weak erection? When men become sexually aroused, hormones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels all work with one another to create an erection. Nerve signals, sent from the brain to the penis, stimulate muscles to relax. 

This, in turn, allows blood to flow to the tissue in the penis. Once the blood fills the penis and an erection is achieved, the blood vessels to the penis close off so that the erection is maintained. 

Following sexual arousal, the veins to the penis again open up, allowing the blood to leave.

At some point in a man’s life or due to some health issues, he may have difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection. 

Erection problems occur when you can’t achieve or maintain an erection that’s firm enough to have sexual intercourse or satisfy your spouse. For most men, this problem occurs occasionally and isn’t a serious issue. 

If you are unable to achieve an erection one-quarter of the time or more, you may have a health problem that requires medical attention. However, orthodox drugs, because of their chemical nature can neither manage nor cure weak erection.

The only remedy for weak erection is through herbal solution. Because of its organic nature, herbal medicine can prevent, manage and cure weak erection.

Vibarex is the result proven and recognised herbal solution to deal with weak erection and other erectile dysfunctions.

Vibarex helps men to have good erection, It helps to improve blood flow to the organ and helps men to achieve good erection that is strong and maintained enough for sexual satisfaction.

Vibarex is the 100% natural Viagra that has gained acceptance all over Africa and other parts of the world. It is however most effective in black men because the herbs used in its formulation are completely African.


So, do you have issues with weak erections? or is someone close to you suffering from it? has the doctor told you that your own case is hopeless? you don't need to worry. With Vibarex, your weak erection can be cured within a space of 2 - 3 months. To get the results proven, NAFDAC approved herbal medicine for weak erection, call +2347031040178. 

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Some Reservations About Coconut Oil

A new report released by the American Heart Association (AHA) has expressed some reservations over the use of coconut oil, especially when not taken in its natural state.

After the Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease advisory reviewed existing data on saturated fat, showing coconut oil increased LDL (“bad”) cholesterol in seven out of seven controlled trials, researchers didn’t see a difference between coconut oil and other oils high in saturated fat, like butter, beef fat and palm oil.

In fact, 82 per cent of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, according to the data - far beyond butter (63 per cent), beef fat (50 per cent) and pork lard (39 per cent).

Saturated fats are considered unhealthy because they can raise ‘bad’ cholesterol levels, increasing heart disease risk. The AHA therefore recommended limiting saturated fats – which are found in butter, cheese, red meat and other animal-based foods.

Instead of eating foods high in saturated fats, the AHA recommended replacing them with better sources of healthier, unsaturated fats that are found in skinless poultry and oily fish, nuts and legumes, avocados, non-tropical vegetable oils such as olive oil and low-fat dairy products, canola oil, corn, sunflower, soy, and cottonseed oils.

Since the 1950s, it has been demonstrated that consumption of foods containing high amounts of saturated fatty acids is potentially less healthy than consuming fats with a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids. Frank Sacks, lead author on the report, said he has no idea why people think coconut oil is healthy.

It’s almost 100 per cent fat. Past weight loss studies might be responsible. Still, it might not be a bad idea to opt for vegetable oils or olive oil, Sacks said. Plus, coconut oil can still be an effective moisturiser or hair conditioner, adding, “You can put it on your body, but don’t put it in your body.” The AHA recommends eating no more than six per cent of saturated fat as part of total daily calories for those who need lower cholesterol.

Research dating to the 1950s has shown links between saturated fats and LDL cholesterol – which increases heart disease risk. LDL cholesterol is known as the ‘bad’ form of cholesterol because having high levels of it can lead to plaque build up in the arteries and result in heart disease and stroke.

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