Humanosphere

U.N. says Congo again on brink, peacekeepers need to combat rebels  (Reuters) – Democratic Republic of Congo’s resource-rich east is again on the brink of a major conflict, a senior U.N. official warned on Friday as he urged the U.N. Security Council to urgently approve plans for a peace enforcement unit to combat armed rebel groups.

How radio shows for farmers in Bangladesh are boosting crop yields (Guardian) – Radio station in north-east Bangladesh enables farmers to share research and tips on seeds, pests and the changing climate

Poll: Most only want foreign aid cuts  (Politico) – Of 19 options for cutting government spending, only one — reducing foreign aid — was supported by more than 40 percent of Americans, according to a poll released Friday.

Mosquitoes ignore repellent Deet after first exposure (BBC) – The widely used insect repellent Deet appears to be losing its effectiveness against mosquitoes, scientists say.

Used Clothing Kills Nigerian Textile Industry (VOA) — In markets in northern Nigeria, some shoppers scoff at clothes made by Nigerian companies and prefer to buy second-hand clothes from the West.  The country’s flailing textile industry says the trend is killing their chances of coming back to life.

Tuberculosis outbreak in downtown L.A. sparks federal effort  (LA Times) – Public health officials have launched a new, coordinated effort to contain a persistent outbreak of tuberculosis in downtown L.A.’s skid row, including searching for more than 4,500 people who may have been exposed to the disease.

Stand with Rwanda – By Tony Blair and Howard G. Buffett (Foreign Policy) – “Slashing international support to Rwanda ignores the complexity of the problem within DRC’s own borders and the history and circumstances that have led to current regional dynamics. Cutting aid does nothing to address the underlying issues driving conflict in the region….”