A local community in the Philippines has launched an unconventional initiative to combat the spread of dengue—offering residents a cash reward for capturing mosquitoes.

Carlito Cernal, village chief of Barangay Addition Hills, a densely populated neighborhood in Metro Manila, announced a bounty of one peso (less than two US cents) for every five mosquitoes collected. The initiative, which began after two students in the community died from dengue, aims to curb the mosquito population and reduce infection rates.

While the bounty applies to both live and dead mosquitoes, as well as larvae, captured live mosquitoes will be exterminated using ultraviolet light, Cernal said.

Public Response and Government Reaction

The announcement has sparked ridicule on social media, with users joking that people might start “mosquito farming” to claim rewards. Others questioned the logistics of verifying mosquitoes, with one user quipping, “Will a mosquito get rejected if it has only one wing?”

Despite the online backlash, Cernal defended the initiative, emphasizing the urgency of the dengue outbreak in their overcrowded barangay.

“This is one of the biggest and most dense areas in Metro Manila. We have to do something to help the local government,” he told reporters.

So far, 21 residents have participated, turning in a total of 700 mosquitoes and larvae in exchange for small cash rewards.

The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) acknowledged the good intentions behind the program but refrained from endorsing it, stating:

“We appreciate the efforts of local officials to fight dengue, but we urge them to coordinate with health experts for evidence-based solutions.”

The department did not confirm whether the mosquito bounty would be an effective dengue prevention method.

Dengue Crisis and Government Warnings

The Philippines has seen a sharp increase in dengue cases, with the DOH reporting 28,234 cases as of February 1—a 40% rise from the previous year. Barangay Addition Hills alone recorded 44 dengue cases in the latest outbreak.

Dengue is endemic in tropical regions and thrives in urban areas with poor sanitation where standing water allows mosquitoes to breed rapidly. Severe cases can cause internal bleeding and organ failure, leading to death. Symptoms include high fever, nausea, muscle pain, and headaches.

The DOH has urged the public to take preventative measures, including:
✔ Cleaning surroundings and eliminating mosquito breeding sites, such as standing water in old tires and containers
✔ Wearing protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and trousers
✔ Applying mosquito repellent

Additionally, the rainy season has worsened public health risks, with authorities also noting a rise in influenza and leptospirosis cases—the latter being a bacterial disease spread through contaminated floodwaters.

A Temporary Solution?

Cernal emphasized that the mosquito bounty was only a supplementary measure to existing dengue control programs, such as street cleaning and sanitation campaigns.

“We are not relying solely on this. We are also pushing for proper waste disposal and preventing stagnant water buildup,” he said.

As dengue cases continue to climb, health officials remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the cash-for-mosquitoes program, urging scientifically proven interventions instead. Whether the bounty initiative makes a significant impact remains to be seen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the creation of a European military force to defend against Russia, warning that the continent can no longer rely on U.S. protection. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine would not accept peace deals made without its involvement, following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to initiate negotiations.

A Shift in Transatlantic Relations

Zelensky’s remarks come amid growing uncertainty over America’s commitment to European security. In a speech at the conference, U.S. Vice President JD Vance called on European nations to take greater responsibility for their defense, signaling a shift away from traditional U.S. leadership in NATO.

“Yesterday here in Munich, the U.S. vice president made it clear—the decades-old relationship between Europe and America is ending,” Zelensky said. “From now on, things will be different, and Europe needs to adjust to that.”

A European Military Force?

Zelensky’s proposal for an “army of Europe” echoes past calls from leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, who has long advocated for an independent European defense force to reduce reliance on the U.S.

“Many, many leaders have talked about Europe needing its own military,” Zelensky stated. “An army—an army of Europe.”

His comments reflect growing frustration within NATO and the European Union, especially as U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, suggest that Ukraine is unlikely to join NATO anytime soon. Hegseth has also dismissed the idea of Ukraine reclaiming its pre-2014 borders, a stance that has further strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.

Trump-Putin Talks Raise Concerns

The Trump-Putin peace discussions, held without European input, have alarmed Ukrainian officials. Zelensky revealed that Trump had briefed him on the talks but failed to mention Europe’s role.

“A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table—that says a lot,” Zelensky said. “The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.”

Trump and Putin have reportedly agreed to meet in Saudi Arabia, with plans for potential visits to each other’s capitals. While no date has been set for Trump’s visit to Moscow, Zelensky accused Putin of orchestrating a propaganda spectacle.

“Next, Putin will try to get the U.S. president standing on Red Square on May 9, not as a respected leader, but as a prop in his own performance,” Zelensky warned.

May 9 marks Russia’s Victory Day, commemorating the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

European Leaders Weigh In

European leaders have voiced strong opposition to any peace agreement that does not include Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany would never support a dictated peace, while Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe must take charge of Ukraine’s future, or risk having global powers decide for them.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin insists that Ukraine will have a role in negotiations, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stating that Kyiv “will of course” be involved in some capacity.

As Ukraine’s war with Russia approaches its three-year anniversary, Zelensky’s calls for a unified European defense force could mark a turning point in the continent’s security strategy. Whether European nations will act on his proposal, however, remains to be seen.

A United Nations investigation has accused former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government of orchestrating systematic and deadly violence against protesters in a desperate attempt to cling to power, with UN officials warning that such actions could amount to crimes against humanity.

The UN report, released on Monday, details a brutal crackdown on mass anti-government demonstrations in mid-2024, with up to 1,400 people killed, primarily by security forces. Investigators allege that the violence was state-sanctioned and directed by senior political leaders and security officials.

Government-Led Crackdown on Protesters

The student-led protests, initially sparked by controversial civil service quotas, quickly escalated into a nationwide uprising demanding Hasina’s resignation. The unrest intensified after a deadly police crackdown, plunging Bangladesh into its worst political violence since its 1971 war of independence.

According to the UN, the government’s response was a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” to maintain power at any cost. UN human rights chief Volker Türk stated that officials, security forces, and Awami League-affiliated groups committed “serious and systematic human rights violations”.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and torture were carried out with the knowledge, coordination, and direction of the highest levels of government,” Türk said at a press conference in Geneva.

Atrocities and Widespread Abuses

The UN investigation, which included interviews with over 230 survivors, witnesses, and former officials, found evidence of:

• Protesters being shot at point-blank range
• Targeted killings and deliberate maiming
• Torture and arbitrary detentions
• Children being among the victims, with up to 13% of the dead underage

Former PM Sheikh Hasina, who fled Bangladesh by helicopter to India last August, was aware of and involved in these serious offences, the UN report claims.

The investigation also found that security forces deliberately targeted individuals they deemed as opposition supporters, as well as certain religious and ethnic groups. The UN urged further investigations into these incidents.

Caretaker Government Calls for Justice

The UN investigation was requested by Bangladesh’s caretaker leader, Muhammad Yunus, who took office after Hasina’s government was deposed.

Yunus vowed to restore security and dignity to the country, pledging that all perpetrators would be held accountable. However, the UN’s estimated death toll of 1,400 far surpasses the 834 deaths acknowledged by the interim government.

The UN team—comprising human rights investigators, a forensic physician, and a weapons expert—analyzed medical records, photographs, videos, and testimonies to compile the damning report.

“The evidence paints a disturbing picture of rampant state violence and targeted killings,” Türk said.

As Bangladesh moves toward rebuilding under its new leadership, the UN’s findings could pave the way for international legal action against Hasina and her former government.