PRAIA, July 3 (Xinhua) — Cape Verde has declared a three-month national public health emergency to stem the spread of dengue fever and the resurgence of malaria.
“The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers, takes into account the upcoming rainy season (July) and its impact on the proliferation of disease-transmitting vectors,” the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
During the emergency period, vector control, urban sanitation and pest control operations will be intensified. Awareness campaigns and health surveillance efforts will also be strengthened in ports, airports and healthcare facilities, the statement said.
A rapid mobilization of human, logistical and financial resources is also planned, including the activation of the national emergency fund.
The decision was prompted by “critical situations” that persist in some neighborhoods regarding basic sanitation, where “the density of eggs and adult mosquitoes exceeds levels recommended by the World Health Organization,” the statement noted.
Cape Verde’s last dengue outbreak occurred in November 2023, peaking between July and October 2024, with around 19,000 reported infections and eight deaths, mainly in the capital Praia, on Santiago Island, and on Fogo Island. ■
Updated July 3 with more details of price cuts for iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple’s latest Pro model iPhone, the iPhone 16 Pro, costs $999 and up. If you want to buy it cheaper, you can’t get discounts from Apple. Amazon, however, sells the iPhone 16 Pro in Renewed Premium condition, and the prices have just gone down in many cases. There have also been big price cuts on the larger-screened model, the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
The deals highlighted in this post were independently selected by the Contributor and do not contain affiliate links.
ForbesApple iPhone 17: Key Design Upgrade Promised In New LeakBy David Phelan
Renewed Premium is the highest tier of refurbished models on Amazon, and “The inspection and testing process typically include a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, and a thorough cleaning process carried out by the qualified supplier, or by Amazon,” as the company puts it.
The screen has no scratches and a body with no signs of cosmetic damage (scratches, dents, and more) visible when the holding the product 30 centimeters away. They are fully functional and with battery at least 90% of original battery life. Here are the details of what’s on offer now from Amazon — even before the upcoming Prime Day sales.
The lowest storage is 128GB and it is available from Amazon in four colors. Black titanium costs $840, a price which has dropped recently and is $159 less than the new price. Desert titanium is $848.44, natural titanium $864.97 and white titanium $869.99. All are slightly lower prices than earlier in June.
For the 256GB storage option, which costs $1,099 new, and prices are as follows: $936.55 for black titanium, $923.06 for white titanium, which is just over $175 off the price new. It’s even better for desert titanium at $910.13 and $935 for natural titanium.
The 512GB storage prices for Renewed Premium in unlocked condition are these: Desert titanium is $1,089.97, that’s $209 less than the brand-new price. White titanium is $10 more at $1,099.97. There’s no availability for black or natural titanium, right now.
Finally, for the top storage level, black titanium is available for $1,109, which is $390 less than the $1,499 new price. Desert titanium is more, $1,239.97, natural titanium $1,150 and white titanium is $1,189.99. These prices are the same as or slightly higher than they have been in recent weeks.
All very well, but what about if the iPhone 16 Pro display isn’t quite big enough for you? There’s the iPhone 16 Pro Max, available in three storage capacities (there’s no 128GB model for the Max).
The 256GB storage model is available from Amazon in Renewed Premium condition. Three of the four, desert titanium, natural titanium and white titanium are all priced at $1,099, which is $100 less than the new price of $1,199. The black titanium is not as good value: it costs $1,152.09.
The 512GB model costs $1,399 new. For Renewed Premium, the best price in this capacity are black titanium and white titanium, both $174 off the new price at $1,225. Desert titanium is $1,299.99 and natural titanium a little less at $1,279.
Finally, there’s the 1TB storage option, $1,599 when you buy it new from Apple. Here in Renewed Premium, the best price is for desert titanium and natural titanium, which are each $1,420 — a $179 savings. Black titanium is priciest at $1,569.97 and white titanium clocks in at $1,459.
ForbesApple iPhone 17 Series: The Best Views Yet Of All The New Designs Just LeakedBy David Phelan
A new review published in Lipids has highlighted the potential of plant-based omega-3 oils in promoting gut health.1
The article delves into how omega-3 oils rich in stearidonic acid (SDA) can influence the microbiome, promote optimal gut barrier function, help mitigate systemic inflammation and boost overall wellness.
Published by researchers from the University of Southampton, the piece also explores the rising interest in plant-based omega-3 sources.
According to Baker et al., this trend is primarily driven by the increased intrigue towards both ethical and sustainable dietary choices — with many now turning away from fish oil products in favour of more environmentally-friendly options.
The review covers:
How very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLF-PUFAs) present in plant-based extracts can balance the gut microbiome
How VLF-PUFAs exhibit a prebiotic effect within the gut
The potential of SDA-rich oils in mitigating inflammation as well as promoting gut barrier and immune function
How SDA oils modulate the gut-brain/gut-liver axes
How users can gain similar omega-3-related health and wellness benefits from plant-based sources compared with traditional fish oil
Why plant-based omega-3s are more sustainable than traditional fish oils
Notably, the researchers tout the benefits of Nature Crops International’s branded Ahiflower oil, which is derived from Buglossoides arvensis.
Oil from this particular botanical species is rich in SDA, which promotes efficient omega-3 EPA conversion and DHA formation in the liver and brain; despite its inability to raise DHA levels in the red blood cells.
This suggests that the beneficial fatty acids produces are being metabolised and used by the body more efficiently, according to Baker.
“As we uncover the power of omega-3s in promoting cardiovascular, gut, skin, immune-inflammatory and mental health, there will continue to be an increase in demand for these products — creating an unsustainable supply chain if we were to rely solely on marine sources,” she says.
“To overcome this issue, it’s crucial to embrace plant-based omega-3 options — which are demonstrably beneficial for all these health goals.”
“Ahiflower oil is one of nature’s richest sources of omega-3, and this newly published research only further underscores its key role in overall wellness. By choosing a clean-label, regeneratively farmed omega-3 solution, supplement manufacturers can not only enhance the benefits of their product, but also choose a sustainable option,” Baker concludes.
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has granted its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lisa Su, a significant compensation boost for the upcoming fiscal year. The semiconductor company disclosed on Wednesday that Su will receive an equity award with a target value of $33 million, alongside a raise in her base salary to $1.32 million, up from $1.26 million last year.
The announcement was part of AMD’s annual executive compensation filing, detailing salary and incentive structures for its leadership team. According to the filing, Su earned total compensation of $31 million in 2024, which included $21.7 million in stock awards and $6.2 million in other incentive-based awards.
Among AMD’s top executives, Su is the only one with a base salary exceeding $1 million. Her equity award also stands out as the largest, reflecting her central role in steering AMD through an increasingly competitive semiconductor landscape. Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster is second in line, receiving a $10 million target-value equity award and a base salary of $870,000.
All five executives named in the filing will see their base salaries increase by 3% to 5% for the fiscal year. Su’s $33 million equity award is scheduled to convert on August 15 into a combination of performance-based and time-based stock options: 75% of the grant will consist of performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs), while the remaining 25% will be issued as time-based stock options.
The compensation changes underscore AMD’s confidence in Su’s leadership as the company continues to invest in advanced chip designs and competes with industry giants such as Intel and Nvidia.
However, even with the new pay package, Su’s compensation remains notably lower than that of her main industry rival, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. For fiscal year 2025, Nvidia disclosed that Huang’s total compensation reached nearly $49.9 million, up from $34.2 million the previous year. Huang’s pay package includes a $1.5 million base salary, a target cash bonus of $3 million, and a substantial equity award valued as high as $27.5 million, depending on performance. The jump in Huang’s compensation reflects Nvidia’s record-breaking financial performance in 2025, including $130.5 billion in revenue, $86.8 billion in operating income, and a three-year shareholder return of 384%.
Huang’s package highlights Nvidia’s dominant position in the AI chip sector and its status as one of the most valuable tech companies globally.
Andrew Sozinow – News Editor – 41 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2024
I’ve been fascinated by computers, electronics and modern technology since childhood. I started writing IT-news at high school and have been doing it continuously for more than 10 years. During this time, I have worked for many media outlets, and now I am a news editor at 3DNews. Sometimes I also write smartphone reviews. In July 2024, I decided to try my hand at writing news on Notebookcheck. When I’m not working, I like to play videogames, do puzzles, and travel.
Popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound have revolutionized how we tackle obesity. But now, emerging reports about potential side effects have prompted a new investigation by UK health regulators.
Hundreds of people reported experiencing severe pancreas problems after taking these drugs, according to the BBC.
The UK government is now asking anyone who’s been affected to contact them. They are particularly interested in understanding whether genetic factors may predispose certain individuals to such severe reactions.
As always with health alerts, it’s crucial to put this news into perspective. There’s no clear evidence yet that these drugs are directly causing pancreas damage. Their known side effects are already well-documented and they remain approved as safe for use when prescribed and overseen by a doctor.
Related: Ozempic Alternative Ditches The Needle And One Major Side Effect
And that last part – doctor oversight – is vital: it’s not safe to obtain these drugs through unofficial channels. Even if you can be sure you’re getting what you asked for – which you can’t – these medications aren’t right for everyone.
It’s important to note that when any medication is taken up by a large number of people, it will inevitably reach some who will experience health issues regardless of the drugs they’re on, and rare adverse reactions will likely also occur.
But the sheer number of reports of acute or chronic pancreatitis warrants further examination, and the cases so far involve up to 10 fatalities. The investigation is being managed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and Genomics England.
Collectively, the drugs being looked at are known as GPL-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, because they target cells in the body usually activated by the natural GLP-1 hormone, which controls blood sugar and appetite – hence why they’re used for diabetes and weight loss.
Issues have been reported with pancreas conditions. (Sebastian Kaulitzki/Science Photo Library/Getty Images)
These medications can be split into two types: those based on semaglutide (such as Ozempic and Wegovy), and those based on tirzepatide (including Mounjaro and Zepbound). The latter type also targets glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptors, as well as GLP-1 receptors, for a stronger effect.
To date, almost 400 reports of acute pancreatitis have been received from people using GLP-1 drugs such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, Ozempic, and liraglutide, as per The Guardian. Nearly half of those, 181, involve the tirzepatide-based drug sold as Mounjaro.
Genetic risk is one of the factors being studied, which may mean some people are more prone to pancreatic issues. In the case of acute or chronic pancreatitis, this manifests itself as severe stomach pain that won’t go away.
Those in the UK aged over 18, who have a strong adverse reaction to one of these weight loss and diabetes drugs are being asked to register their details on the Yellow Card website (the official UK system for reporting issues with approved medications).
From there, you’ll be asked to submit more information and a saliva sample, if you’re chosen to take part in a study of GLP-1 drugs and pancreatic issues.
The effects of all medications have to be considered in relation to other factors, including existing health conditions, genetics, age, and sex. Even the most effective drugs can come with risks.
“GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic and Wegovy have been making headlines, but like all medicines there can be a risk of serious side effects,” says geneticist Matt Brown from Genomics England.
“We believe there is real potential to minimize these, with many adverse reactions having a genetic cause.”
Using nuclear magnetic resonance, researchers at ETH Zurich have studied the atomic environments of single platinum atoms in solid supports as well as their spatial orientation. In the future, this method can be used to optimize the production of single-atom catalysts.
Catalysis — the acceleration of a chemical reaction by adding a particular substance — is extremely important in industry as well as in everyday life. Around 80 % of all chemical products are produced with the help of catalysis, and technologies like exhaust catalysts or fuel cells are also based on this principle. One particularly effective and versatile catalyst is platinum. However, because platinum is a very rare and expensive precious metal whose production causes a lot of CO2 emissions, it is important to use as little of it as possible while maximizing its efficiency.
Catalysts with single atoms
In recent years, scientists have tried to develop so-called single-atom catalysts, in which each atom contributes to the chemical reaction. These catalysts are made by depositing single platinum atoms on the surface of a porous host material, for instance carbon doped with nitrogen atoms. The nitrogen atoms act as anchoring points which the platinum atoms can latch on to.
A team of researchers led by Javier Pérez-Ramírez and Christophe Copéret at the Department of Chemistry and Applied Life Sciences of ETH Zurich, together with colleagues at the Universities of Lyon and Aarhus, have now shown that such single-atom catalysts are more complex than previously thought. Using nuclear magnetic resonance, they were able to show that the individual platinum atoms in such a catalyst can have very different atomic environments, which influence their catalytic action. In the future, this discovery will make it possible to develop more efficient catalytic materials. The researchers recently published their findings in the scientific journal Nature.
Chance encounters lead to breakthrough
“Until now individual platinum atoms could only be observed through the ‘lens’ of an electron microscope — which looks impressive but doesn’t tell us much about their catalytic properties,” says Pérez-Ramírez. Together with Copéret he thought about how one might characterize the individual platinum atoms more precisely. The collaboration began with a chance encounter during a meeting in the framework of the NCCR Catalysis program.
After the meeting, the two researchers developed the idea to try nuclear magnetic resonance. This method, on which the MRI in a hospital is based and which is typically used for investigating molecules in laboratories, the spins of atomic nuclei in a strong static magnetic field react to oscillating magnetic fields of a certain resonant frequency. In molecules, this resonant frequency depends on how the different atoms are arranged inside the molecule. “Likewise, the resonant frequencies of the single platinum atoms are influenced by their atomic neighbours — for instance, carbon, nitrogen or oxygen — and their orientation relative to the static magnetic field,” Copéret explains.
This leads to many different resonant frequencies, much like the different tones in an orchestra. Finding out which instrument is producing a particular tone isn’t easy. “As luck would have it, during a visit to Lyon one of us met a simulation expert from Aarhus who was visiting there at the same time,” says Copéret. Such encounters, and the collaborations resulting from them, are essential for scientific progress, he adds. Together with the ETH-collaborator, the simulation expert developed a computer code that made it possible to filter out the many different “tones” of the individual platinum atoms from the muddle.
Mapping the atomic environment
Ultimately, this led to a breakthrough in the description of single-atom catalysts: the research team were now able to compile a kind of map showing the type and position of atoms surrounding the platinum atoms. “This analytical method sets a new benchmark in the field,” says Pérez-Ramírez.
With this method, which is broadly accessible, production protocols for single-atom catalysts can be optimized in such a way that all platinum atoms have tailored environments. This is the next challenge for the team. “Our method is also important from an intellectual property standpoint,” says Copéret: “Being able to precisely describe catalysts at the atomic level enables us to protect them through patents.”
Following the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023), Zenith and Time+Tide now introduce the third and final chapter in their collaborative Surfer Trilogy. This latest limited edition, the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic, builds on the openworked aesthetic and mechanical architecture of the existing white Defy Skyline Skeleton model, while combining its full white ceramic case with a lighter, ocean-inspired dial design. It concludes the trilogy with a bold and technically coherent take on Zenith’s Defy platform.
The first two models in the Time+Tide and Zenith Surfer trilogy, the Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer (2021 – left) and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer (2023 – right)
The 41mm case of the Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer is crafted from white ceramic, lightweight, highly scratch-resistant, inherently modern in appearance and pleasantly tactile. The case features the sharp facets and geometric contours typical of the Defy line, highlighted by brushed and polished surfaces. The screw-down crown bears the Zenith star logo, the dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, while the caseback, also with sapphire crystal, lets you view the movement. Water-resistance is 100m.
The defining element of the “White Surfer” is its skeletonised dial with a vertical gradient that transitions from darker to light blue. This graduated finish spans the signature-shaped bridges, evoking a descent from deep sea to surface light. As with the original Night Surfer, the star logo is filled with Super-LumiNova, a rather unique touch.
Time is indicated by centrally mounted rhodium-plated hour and minute hands, faceted and coated with Super-LumiNova. At 6 o’clock, a 1/10th of a second sub-dial, driven directly by the escapement, adds functional dynamic. The hour markers are integrated into the architectural framework of the skeleton dial, in line with the Defy Skyline Skeleton’s design language, applied to the minutes track running the dial´s periphery and treated with Super-LumiNova.
Powering the watch is the El Primero 3620 SK, an automatic, high-frequency movement derived from Zenith’s famed chronograph calibre. Here, the chronograph module has been omitted in favour of a 1/10th of a second counter, offering a continuous readout linked to the 5Hz escapement. The movement delivers a 55-hour power reserve and includes a hacking seconds function for precise time-setting. To match the dial, the calibre is finished in light blue tones across the mainplate, bridges, and star-shaped rotor, with straight graining and circular brushing visible through the caseback.
The White Surfer Ceramic by T+T is presented on an integrated white ceramic bracelet, secured by a folding clasp. A white rubber strap with a patterned surface is also included, and both the strap and bracelet can be easily swapped using Zenith’s toolless quick-change system.
The Zenith Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic is limited to 100 pieces worldwide. It is available via Time+Tide, Zenith boutiques, and authorised retailers globally. Price is CHF 18,900 or EUR 20,500. More details about the watch at shop.timeandtidewatches.co.uk and www.zenith-watches.com.
A Russian cargo spacecraft will launch toward the International Space Station (ISS) this afternoon (July 3), and you can watch the action live.
A Soyuz rocket is scheduled to launch the uncrewed Progress 92 freighter from the Russia-run Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan today at 3:32 p.m. EDT (1932 GMT; 12:32 a.m. on July 4 local time in Kazakhstan).
NASA will stream the liftoff live via NASA+ beginning at 3:10 p.m. EDT (1910 GMT). Space.com will simulcast the stream if the agency makes it available.
Progress 92 will haul about three tons of food, fuel and other supplies to the ISS. If all goes according to plan, the robotic freighter will dock with the orbiting lab’s Poisk module on Saturday (July 5) at 5:27 p.m. EDT (2127 GMT).
NASA will provide a livestream of rendezvous and docking activities beginning at 4:45 p.m. EDT (2045 GMT) on Saturday.
Progress 92 will take the place of the Progress 90 vehicle, which undocked from the same Poisk port on Tuesday (July 1) after a roughly seven-month stay. Progress 90 will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere shortly — the same fate that awaits Progress 92 about six months from now.
Progress 91, which launched on Feb. 27, remains at the station, docked to its Zvezda service module.
Breaking space news, the latest updates on rocket launches, skywatching events and more!
Progress is one of three cargo ships that ferry supplies to the ISS these days. The other two are private American vehicles: Northrup Grumman’s Cygnus and SpaceX’s Dragon.
Like Progress, Cygnus is designed for one-time use, ending its space stays with a fiery death dive. But Dragon is reusable and can therefore haul scientific samples and other materials from the ISS safely back down to Earth.
