## Stir stick to detect if your drink is spiked developed by UBC researchers

Authored by globalnews.ca

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a tool to help people determine if their drinks have been spiked.

Spikeless, which looks like an ordinary stir stick, is capable of detecting common drink spiking drugs like GHB and ketamine within 30 seconds, potentially preventing assaults.

GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, and ketamine are tasteless and odourless, so detecting them is nearly impossible.

“Anywhere there’s a bar — clubs, parties, festivals — there’s a risk,” said Samin Yousefi, a UBC master’s student in chemical and biological engineering and the device’s co-inventor.

Spikeless has a chemical-coated bioplastic tip that changes colour when it detects drugs in any drink — alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

The UBC researchers hope that Spikeless will become available at venues rather than the onus being placed on individuals to provide the tool.

Over the last three years, Foster, Yousefi and their collaborators have developed the prototype at UBC and are now preparing for real-world testing while launching a startup to scale production. »

### FT: Ukraine’s officials call US minerals deal “robbery” as Washington expands demands

Authored by euromaidanpress.com

Senior Ukrainian officials have warned that the proposal could undermine their country’s sovereignty, direct profits abroad, and deepen its dependence on Washington.

The US would appoint three of the board’s five members, giving Washington full veto power over the fund.

However, he added that he did not want Washington to think Kyiv was opposed to the deal. »

### NY county clerk refuses to file Texas’ fine for doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills

Authored by apnews.com

A county clerk in New York refused Thursday to file a more than $100,000 judgment from Texas against a doctor accused of prescribing abortion pills to a woman near Dallas, setting up a potential challenge to laws designed to shield abortion providers who serve patients in states with abortion bans.

Republican Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton said he was outraged by the refusal and signaled he would take action.

Bruck became acting county clerk last year after a resignation and has been endorsed by county Democrats for election to the post. »

### Massachusetts eighth-grader creates seizure detection device, earns national honor

Authored by cbsnews.com

"I would say I'm just someone who's curious and I really want, in the future, I want to innovate.".

This moment turned into months of research, learning about epilepsy, seizure detection and why many products just don't work.

"I found that a lot of these solutions for seizure detection, either they're too expensive, they're not adjustable, they're not comfortable," said Wang. »

### "We made a mistake": GOP Rep. Bacon suggests limiting Trump's presidential tariff powers

Authored by salon.com

Some GOP lawmakers are even ready to rein in the president's power to implement tariffs, citing the economic uncertainty that spooked investors earlier this month.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Thursday that the “power of the purse” had to return to the legislative branch amid tariff proposals that could sour voters.

In the past, we passed legislation that gave the president some temporary tariff authority. »

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