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Researchers at JNU's Centre for the Study of Regional Development claim that a termite infestation, worsened by leftover scrap and seepage, has destroyed rare samples and damaged the TL/OSL laboratory, which has remained locked since March. Despite repeated appeals to the administration, no action has been taken, and researchers have lost years of PhD work, now working externally to salvage their research.
Download FileA couple from Staffordshire moved to Spain with dreams of opening a luxury bed and breakfast, but a fire shortly after arrival destroyed their home due to hidden termite infestation and poor construction. The fire, which started in the fireplace, revealed extensive structural damage and led to a loss of their renovation budget. They now need 150,000 euros to rebuild and are living in the unsafe, partially damaged basement of their former home.
Download FileA Liverpool restaurant owner, Dove Ross-Williams, was charged with three counts of breaching food safety and hygiene regulations after health inspectors found a severe rodent infestation, including 27 mice, following a visit on August 16, 2019. The inspection revealed mouse droppings in food preparation areas and on stored food, leading to a zero hygiene rating. The owner voluntarily closed the restaurant for two weeks and later hired a new pest control company. He pleaded guilty and was fined £3,050.
Download FileA new study finds that European forests have become significantly more vulnerable to insect pest outbreaks since 2000, particularly due to climate change. Rising temperatures increase water stress in trees, making them more susceptible to bark beetle infestations. While wildfires and windthrows have remained relatively stable, insect outbreaks are now causing widespread damage across the continent, with the Czech Republic experiencing a dramatic increase in infestations.
Download FileResidents in Hasting, Victoria, are demanding action after a nearby home filled with garbage and infested with hundreds of giant rats is dubbed 'Rat House'. Neighbours report nightly rodent activity, a foul stench, and fear of vermin spreading to their homes. Despite multiple complaints and photos submitted in 2019, the council initially did not act. A clean-up began on February 22, 2021, with specialist cleaners and pest control measures set to continue until the property is clear.
Download FileMango farmers in Zimbabwe's Mutoko, Murehwa, and Zvimba regions are combating the invasive Bactrocera dorsalis fruit fly, which causes significant crop losses and income reduction. Through an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program led by ICIPE, farmers are using natural parasitoids, bio-pesticides, orchard sanitation, and fly traps to control the pest. The initiative, launched in 2021, has helped reduce pesticide use, improve fruit quality, and increase farmer incomes by 22%. The project supports food security, nutrition, and export opportunities, particularly for small-scale farmers and women.
Download FileA study by the University of Toronto reveals that neonicotinoid pesticides, such as imidacloprid, significantly disrupt hummingbird metabolism even at low exposure levels, potentially leading to energy crises and long-term ecological impacts. The research highlights concerns about the safety of these widely used insecticides beyond insects, calling for stronger regulatory action and a shift toward safer, organic practices.
Download FileA study by Guru Nanak Dev University found that agricultural workers in Punjab have a high risk of genotoxic damage from prolonged pesticide exposure, with significant chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy. The study highlights the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and recommends promoting organic farming and biological pesticides as safer alternatives.
Download FileConsumers reported finding sharp glass in soup, live insects in cooked rice, and live mice in cafes to Ireland's food safety watchdog. Complaints also highlighted poor hygiene, sewage smells, and lack of hot water for handwashing. While total complaints decreased due to Covid-19 business closures, concerns about food contamination and hygiene remain high. Additional issues included snails in spinach, foreign objects like hair and stones, and labeling and allergen information problems.
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