W.H.O. Chief Is ‘Deeply Concerned’ by Speed and Scale of Ebola Outbreak as Cases Rise The warning came shortly after Congo officials reported more than 130 suspected deaths and 513 cases, a sharp rise since the outbreak was first reported over the weekend. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/w...

“In France, you have to return them to designated areas and if you don’t, you get fined €25 [about $42] from your credit card automatically. Here, they’re operating with complete impunity.” www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are moving forward with their climate plan despite the loss of state support and federal funding. n.pr/3ReVdOI

Highlights from rapid risk assessment of #hantavirus cluster linked to MV Hondius: 🔸 The public health risk has been reassessed with the most current information available, and the global risk remains low. Read more bit.ly/4dP0s05 1️⃣

Is France really poorer than Mississippi? Can you measure what makes life better (and don’t forget healthcare and childcare)? As someone who visits both France and US regularly, I know where I’d sooner be. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

The federal hantavirus response has laid bare the impact of the Trump administration’s cuts to U.S. and global health, renewing concerns that the U.S. is not prepared for a bigger health crisis. Career scientists at the CDC have been fired or have left the agency. thehill.com/policy/healt...

A person has died of diphtheria in the Northern Territory. This is Australia’s first reported diphtheria death since 2018. www.burnet.edu.au/news/diphthe...

Health officials raise alarm over new Ebola outbreak in DR Congo The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 246 suspected Ebola cases and 65 deaths in the Ituri province in the northeast of DR Congo. share.google/27SmqTo233Ew...

A busy day in Paris. The best petit dejeuner at Cafe Charlot, then metro to Fournil Didot (14arr) recently recognised as producer of best baguette in Paris. Sandwiches purchased for picnic lunch in Luxembourg Gardens. Walked back to Marais via Notre Dame where external work continues. Le meilleur!

And if you want more hiking ideas: Hiking guide: The world’s best hikes and when to do them, month by month www.smh.com.au/traveller/in...

Our last day #DordogneHike spent in Perigueux, the region's capitol. The city dates back to Roman times and the heart of the old city is a maze of fascinatimg lanes and buildings.

Good news! 2026-27 Budget announces annual funding from MRFF will rise from current $650m to $1b by 2030–31. Finally! But why not full disbursement sooner when funds are there? (Contingent on finalisation of National Health and Medical Research Strategy, due imminently) @croakeynews.bsky.social

Why am I reading budget papers and analyses on #DordogneHike holiday?

A forensic analysis of the Albanese Government’s 2026-2027 Budget. As I predicted, not much to celebrate, no indication of needed reforms down the road. www.croakey.org/budget-2026-...

Most of cave paintings in Lascaux are around 20,000 yrs old; the Font de Gaume paintings (less dramatic) are from 16-17,000 yrs ago. Yet in Australia Aboriginal artists were drawing and painting in similar vein up to 40,000 yrs earlier. Gives you great respect for the world's oldest culture.

In Montignac. Today we walked to Lascaux IV, just outside the town. An amazing presentation, even better than Lascaux II, which is still open. In the Lascaux atelier there is the chance to photograph recreated paintings. #DordogneHike

After inspecting market day offerings, we headed out of Les Eyzies for Roque St Christoph and the - highlight of the #DordogneHike trip - along to Rue de Prehistoire to St Leon-sur-Vezere, where I live briefly, in a glorious chateau, in the 1970s.

Bruce writes: "On our hiking in the Dordogne the past 10 days, this is my Monet moment - a field in the village of Saint Leon de Vezere, where Lesley lived many years ago. Almost a painting."

Members of the public spotted the marsupial fleeing the wheel arch of a truck in Brisbane and alerted authorities.

Good night / bon soir de Les Eyzies - not just a great sunset but also a rainbow. #DordogneHike

🩸 Menstrual health is about more than hygiene. It is about dignity, education, health, gender equality and climate resilience — especially for girls in rural and under-resourced communities. ✍️Disha Shetty @who.int @unicef.org @plan-uk.bsky.social @unicefmedia.bsky.social 📖⬇️ & 🔁🙏

“as we celebrate the 100th birthday of Sir David Attenborough, it’s worth remembering one of his many pieces of wisdom: “If we save the sea, we save our world”. theconversation.com/squeak-up-i-...

If you’re under 50, it’s likely that colorectal cancer isn’t on your radar, but it should be. Once considered an older-age disease, rates are skyrocketing among young adults. https://to.pbs.org/4dku8m1

A relatively lazy day in Les Ezies - just 10 km exploring the Vezere River, a swim in our hotel piscine and then the neolithic art of Font de Gaume. #DordogneHike

A lovely day hiking in gorgeous weather from St Cyprien to Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil. 13km through forests, farmland, small villages. #DordogneHike

Good morning from La Roque-Gageac! #DordogneHiking

We braved French traffic to walk the road from La Roque-Gageac to the splendid Marquessac Chateau and Gardens, perched on a rocky spur. Spectacular views to castles we visited yesterday and down Dordogne River. #DordogneHike

📉 "Defining these animals as endangered is a stark reminder of how quickly Antarctica is changing before our eyes. Without a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and sustained conservation action, these species may be lost forever." ▶️ theconversation.com/the-beloved-...

The new @croakeynews.bsky.social 'Primary Healthcare: Community matters' section – or #PHCmatters – has some interesting articles on communities creating change, as well as concerns about the impact on care of the global fuel crisis. www.croakey.org/phcmatters-p...

A big day #DordogneHike with lots to see. 21km from Domme to La Roque-Gageac plus detours for exploring hilltop castles at Castlenaud and Beynac. Lots of chesnut and walnut trees, a surprise field of poppies, roses climbing over old stone cottages, the river always in view.

#DordogneHike Seen on the trail

The findings from the Vaccine Integrity Project's comprehensive review of evidence reinforce decades of research: HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. Read the full report: ow.ly/qTtE50YV1sU 🧵 1/2

Another 13km today from Carsac to Domme, initially along an old railway line, across the Dordogne River, through lovely farmland. #DordogneHike

These cities waited for snow all winter. Now several inches will fall in May. The storm for Colorado and Wyoming comes as the region grapples with widespread extreme drought, following a winter with less than half the normal snowfall amounts. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...

13.5km today from St Vincent-le-Paleul back to Sarlat. Lovely farming countryside with lots of wildflowers and scarlet poppies. A little rain. #DordogneHike

Today we travelled by train from Brive to Sarlat - a beautiful old town, arguably the home of foie gras. The real #DordogneHiking starts tomorrow. There are calories to be offset!

Today we travelled by train from Paris to Brive-le-Galliard. Staying at the same charming B&B where I stayed on my first hiking trip to France in 2015. They remembered me!

“When you see it, it really just triggers you. You see that they are melting, almost crying in front of you.” www.smh.com.au/environment/...

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Latest edition! #TheHealthWrap: COVID and vaccination updates, iconic species at risk – and more on changes to NDIS and aged care – Croakey Health Media www.croakey.org/the-health-w... By @lrussellwolpe.bsky.social

Bonjour de Paris where we are enjoying beautiful early summer weather.

How Antarctica warmed by 28°C in the depths of winter – and what it signals for the decades ahead theconversation.com/how-antarcti...

The real war is misinformation – and it’s blocking climate action johnmenadue.com/post/2026/05...

Latest edition of The Health Wrap is out! www.croakey.org/the-health-w...

A new adventure looms! Off to France to hike (and eat and immerse in history) in the beautiful Dordogne area, including a visit back to St Leon-sur-Vezere where I once lived. I'll be posting so follow along.

Most hospital patients don't brush their teeth regularly, but doing so could cut their risk of developing pneumonia during their stay. www.newscientist.com/article/2523...

Stretching from Oregon to Florida and northward to the nation’s capital, the U.S. is facing drought conditions just shy of the most widespread this century. www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026...