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On Palm Sunday, Christians in Lebanon gathered in churches to commemorate Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, but the celebrations were overshadowed by the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The Maronite Catholic church near Dahiyeh in Beirut's southern suburbs was filled to capacity, despite being close to a largely deserted district due to Israeli evacuation orders and ongoing air strikes.In the coastal city of Tyre, church bells tolled and choral music filled the air as residents sought solace in preserving their sacred traditions amid the devastation. Worshippers prayed earnestly for peace, aware of Lebanon's history of sectarian tensions rooted in the 1975-1990 civil war between Christians and Muslims.Mahia Jamus, a 20-year-old university student in Beirut, expressed concern that no one is safe from the conflict's effects. "There's no bombing here right now, but no one is safe from this—not the Christians, not anyone," she said. "No one is spared from its effects."In Tyre, Roseth Katra, 41, emphasized the importance of preserving traditions despite the surrounding devastation. "Amid the wars, the tragedies, and the destruction happening around us, we remain on our land," she said. "Today is Palm Sunday, and we are celebrating."The conflict has resulted in at least 1,238 people killed and over 3,500 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Health. Israeli troops have launched a ground invasion advancing towards the Litani River, while Hezbollah has claimed dozens of operations against Israeli forces.

A groundbreaking analysis has revealed that 37% of conventional California produce contains toxic Pfas pesticide residues. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) conducted the study, which coincided with the introduction of California legislation aimed at banning Pfas from being used as active ingredients in pesticides by 2035.The analysis of California department of pesticide regulation residue testing records found that about 90% of peaches, plums, and nectarines contained Pfas residues, while 80% of strawberries and grapes showed contamination. These findings are particularly alarming as children are most at risk from the toxic effects of Pfas, and commonly eat fruits like grapes and strawberries.Pfas are a class of at least 16,000 compounds used to make products resistant to water, stains, and heat. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not naturally break down and accumulate, and are linked to cancer, kidney disease, liver problems, immune disorders, birth defects, and other serious health problems.The EWG analyzed records for 930 samples across 78 types of non-organic, California-grown fruits and vegetables. The results showed that 348 samples, or 37%, contained Pfas residues, with at least half of all produce varieties treated with Pfas pesticides.The proposed legislation in California would ban the use of Pfas as an active ingredient in pesticides by 2035 and place a moratorium on approvals of new Pfas pesticides. The bill's author, California assemblymember Nick Schultz, stated that he doesn't want his kids "eating strawberries contaminated with chemicals that will stay in their bodies for decades."The pesticide industry is expected to mount a strong campaign against the legislation, but Maine and Minnesota have already passed similar bans, making it more likely to pass in California.

Meta's attempt to shift the blame for a young user's mental health issues away from its platforms and onto her family and offline social problems has backfired in a landmark social media addiction trial. The company, parent of Facebook and Instagram, employed a aggressive defense strategy that included highlighting the plaintiff's complaints about her mother in her teenage text messages and personal writings.The jurors, however, were not convinced by Meta's arguments and decided 10-2 in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $4.2m in damages from Meta and $1.8m from co-defendant YouTube. This verdict could set a precedent for thousands of similar trials already in the works against social media companies.Meta's defense strategy drew backlash from parental advocates, who argued that the company was attempting to shift the blame away from its own design choices and onto parents and users. "For the biggest tech executives, I want to say something: stop blaming the parents. It's on you," said Julianna Arnold, a co-founder of advocacy group Parents Rise!.The trial's outcome reflects a growing distrust of social media companies and their impact on society. A Pew Research Survey found that around 64% of US adults believe that social media platforms have a negative impact on the country, and around two-thirds of Americans have a negative view of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.The verdict has been celebrated by advocates for reining in big tech, who see it as a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for their role in shaping societal harms. "This trial was proof that if you put CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg on the stand before a judge and jury of their peers, the tech industry's wanton disregard for people will be on full display," said Sacha Haworth, executive director of The Tech Oversight Project.

The ongoing US-Israel war against Iran has sent shockwaves through global markets, resulting in a substantial increase in everyday living costs for many Americans. Following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which prompted retaliatory attacks on US allies in the region and Iran's decision to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage, costs have surged across the US. In particular, gas prices have spiked sharply, with the national average rising by roughly 30% over the past month. Additionally, grocery bills, mortgage rates, and fertilizer costs have also climbed. As a result, many Americans are being forced to reassess their finances and cut back drastically on basic necessities such as food, clothing, and electricity. Individuals from various parts of the country, including Indianapolis, Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania, have shared their struggles with rising costs and how they are impacting their daily lives and long-term financial planning. For instance, an Indianapolis bank employee named Lore has had to reduce his commuting and is holding on to his old car for as long as possible to avoid the financial burden of a new one. A Massachusetts-based librarian's husband has had to take on extra work to keep up with rising expenses, often working 12 to 14 hour days. An elderly woman in New York described living a very frugal existence and struggling to make ends meet each month. The strain is also hitting small business owners, with a tattoo artist and father in Pennsylvania forced to shut down his private studio after three years due to decreased demand. Rising costs are also intensifying anxieties around healthcare, with a bread factory worker in Michigan expressing concerns about his health and the potential risks he faces simply getting to work.

The UK's food self-sufficiency has been on a downward trend, falling from 78% in 1984 to 62% in 2024. This decline is largely attributed to the loss of farmland to non-farming uses such as buildings, roads, and conservation schemes. To address this issue, experts suggest that increasing food production on UK farms is crucial. However, promoting a more plant-based diet, while beneficial for health and environmental reasons, may not necessarily use fewer resources than traditional livestock farming. Beef cattle and sheep are often raised on extensively managed grasslands and mountain heath, which account for 38% of the UK's land area. This land receives minimal fertilizer and chemicals, and the animals are primarily fed on grazed and conserved grass. To improve food security, individuals can make a difference by making informed choices when shopping and cooking. Opting for local, organic, animal-friendly, and fairtrade products can contribute to a more sustainable food system. Additionally, growing one's own food, using seasonal products, and supporting local ventures can also help. Experts emphasize that it is essential to utilize the UK's existing food production resources efficiently, rather than wasting them on unsustainable practices. By adopting a more sustainable approach to food production and consumption, the UK can work towards a more secure food future.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the US health secretary, has unveiled a chaotic and unpredictable agenda for public health policy under his 'Make America Healthy Again' (Maha) initiative. His approach tends to favor personal choice and autonomy over large-scale, mandatory public health interventions, such as childhood vaccine requirements.The Maha agenda has raised concerns over the potential risks associated with injectable peptide drugs. Mr. Kennedy plans to open up the sale of 'about 14' of these drugs to the public, despite the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricting 17 peptides in 2023 due to 'potential significant safety risks'. None of these peptides have been proven to be safe or effective for human use.The peptides in question are often promoted for biological enhancement, such as increasing muscle mass or cognitive benefits, but the evidence for these effects in humans is thin. Reports of people self-administering peptide therapies, usually bought from China 'for research use only', are widespread, particularly in Silicon Valley.The Maha project wants to make the grey market the only market, effectively sanctioning mass public use of unproven treatments. Peptides are clearly drugs and shouldn’t be allowed for widespread use without rigorous clinical trials. Opening loopholes for sale would undermine the precautionary principle that has successfully led public health policy for generations.It is also worth noting that other governments are unlikely to be as cavalier as Mr. Kennedy about peptides. However, people everywhere will continue to call for more personal choice and more bodily autonomy, and those conversations are important. The case for safety, proof, and regulation must be made to ensure that public health policy prioritizes the well-being of individuals.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed strong support for curbing addictive social media features that target children, stating that the government 'will have to act' to regulate these features. In an interview with the Sunday Mirror, Starmer emphasized that these features 'shouldn’t be permitted' and that the government is committed to taking action.The government's education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, also weighed in on the issue, stating that social media platforms are 'designed to keep you there' and that the government will closely examine how to tackle addictive features. The comments come amid a growing debate about the impact of social media on children's mental health and wellbeing.The UK government's consultation on social media regulation has garnered significant attention, with nearly 30,000 parents and children responding to the digital wellbeing consultation. The government is considering a range of options, including a ban on social media for under-16s, which has already been enacted in Australia.The move comes after a US court ruling found Meta and Google liable for a woman's childhood social media addiction, awarding $6m in damages. The companies plan to appeal the decision. The UK government's consultation will also examine the use of addictive algorithms and algorithmically driven content on social media platforms.As part of the consultation, hundreds of UK teenagers will trial social media bans, digital curfews, and time limits on apps as part of a government pilot. The government aims to introduce significant changes to regulate social media and protect children online.

While birdwatching is a well-known hobby, moth-watching is gaining popularity as a fascinating and misunderstood pursuit. A recent study on birdwatching found that becoming an expert birder causes changes to the brain that may help protect against age-related cognitive decline. The study, led by Erik Wing, discovered that expert birders show more activity in brain regions linked to visual processing, attention, and working memory when identifying difficult species. The author, a self-proclaimed moth enthusiast, argues that moths are orders of magnitude more difficult to distinguish than birds, with over 2,500 species in the UK alone. The author participates in the Garden Moth Scheme, a citizen science project that has been running since 2008, and has found that moths play a vital role in the natural world, pollinating plants, providing food for wildlife, and contributing to nutrient cycling. Despite their importance, moths are often misunderstood and maligned, with many people viewing them as pests. However, the author highlights the beauty and diversity of moths, with some species having intricate patterns and colors that rival those of butterflies. The author also notes that moths are harbingers of environmental change, with many species declining in abundance due to habitat loss and climate change. The Garden Moth Scheme has revealed a troubling trend of declining moth populations, with half of UK garden moth species showing a decrease in abundance. This decline has significant implications for the balance of the natural world. The author concludes that moth-watching, like birdwatching, can be a mindful and rewarding hobby that not only promotes appreciation for nature but also supports brain health.

The UK vape industry is sounding the alarm about the proliferation of fake vapes on the market, which can pose serious health risks to users. These counterfeit devices are often sold in high street shops and can look identical to legitimate products, making them difficult to spot.According to the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), around 5m illegal devices have been seized over the last three years, with a street value of £39m. These devices often lack safety features, such as circuit protection to prevent overheating, which can cause them to catch fire.John Dunne, head of the UKVIA, warns that fake vapes may cause damage to people's health as they have not undergone the same testing regime as legal devices. 'Where the packaging might look similar and the product itself may look similar, these companies may not have the same safety features built into the device, because the copycats tend to try and make the product as cheap as possible,' he says.So, how can you spot a fake vape? One of the key telltale signs is if the box does not have a UK distributor's address on it. Other signs include poor-quality packaging with low-resolution photos or labels, and missing nicotine warnings and ingredient lists. The device name or labelling may also be written in a foreign language.If you suspect that you have bought a fake vape, you can file a report through the UKVIA or contact your local Trading Standards office. You can also check whether a brand has been registered with the MHRA through its website.