Egypt – The BBC has discovered that children are being used to pick ingredients for two major beauty companies, Lancôme and Aerin Beauty. An investigation showed that minors are picking the jasmine used in perfumes by these brands. Despite claims of zero tolerance for child labour, Lancôme’s owner L’Oréal and Aerin Beauty’s owner Estée Lauder are involved. Jasmine, a key ingredient, is sourced from Egypt, which supplies about half of the world’s jasmine. In Gharbia, Egypt, a woman named Heba and her four children pick jasmine flowers to survive, earning very little despite working long hours. The exact number of child workers in Egypt’s jasmine industry is unclear.
Djibouti – Djibouti has released genetically engineered mosquitoes to fight a rise in malaria caused by the invasive “Anopheles stephensi” species. This mosquito, originally from Asia, has led to a dramatic increase in malaria cases in Djibouti, rising from 27 in 2012 to over 70,000 recently, according to the World Health Organization. Unlike other malaria-carrying mosquitoes in Africa, Anopheles stephensi succeeds in urban areas, making it harder to control. Oxitec, a US biotechnology firm, developed the gene-modified mosquitoes. Djibouti’s health minister, Ahmed Robleh Abdilleh, is hopeful that this new technology will reduce the spread of malaria in the country.
Nigeria – Rivers State, rich in oil, has potential for progress, says former Apex Bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is making the state more attractive to investors despite issues like oil theft and high unemployment. At the Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit in Port Harcourt, Sanusi emphasised better resource management. He believes Rivers State, with its resources and strategic location, could become a leading investment hub in West Africa, and stressed the need for strong institutions and a skilled workforce.
US – Bill Walton, legendary basketball player and sportscaster, has died at 71 from cancer, the NBA announced. Walton, a two-time NBA champion with the Portland Trail Blazers (1977) and Boston Celtics (1986), is survived by his wife and four sons. Walton’s 44-point performance in the 1973 title game is still a record. The Portland Trail Blazers first drafted Walton in 1974. Despite leading them to a title in 1977 and winning the NBA Finals MVP, his career was affected by injuries.
Pictured above: Child labour.
Image source: Stock
