Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated across India every year with great enthusiasm. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious occasion. The festival lasts 10 days and holds great significance for devotees of Lord Ganesha.

As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities start&nbsp;across the nation, various unique idols of Lord Ganesha have caught everyone's attention. These idols stood out from the rest for their impressive innovation.

<h2>The tallest Ganesha idol</h2>

<img alt="Khairatabad Ganesha idol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6aede827-dae7-4e9e-af3a-a0e671728ae5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2_163.jpg" />

(Image credit: X/@NewsMeter_In)

The tallest Ganesh idol of the year had been made by artisans of Khairatabad, Hyderabad, and is 70&nbsp;feet&nbsp;tall. A team of 150 artisans made the Saptamukha Maha Ganapati idol. The idol is made of clay, iron, and other materials and costs around one crore rupees.

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<h2>Vizag idols</h2>

<img alt="Vizag Ganesha idols" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="65ed4325-01c5-4591-b28d-f77ad1258029" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/3_134.jpg" />

(Image credit: X/@Justice_4Vizag)

SV Events &amp; Entertainments, an event management company in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has set up an 89-foot-tall idol of Lord Ganesha, making it the tallest in the state. Another 75-foot-tall statue by Lambodhara Charitable Trust is made of jaggery lumps from Rajasthan, emphasising on eco-friendly celebration.

<h2>Newspaper idol</h2>

To support the eco-friendly idols of Ganesha, a craftsman, Moreswar Pawar has made an elegant idol of Ganesha by only using old newspapers. The idol is 10-foot in height&nbsp;and only weighs 10 kg. According to Pawar, the idol can be easily immersed and dissolved in water, making it completely biodegradable.

<h2>Idol of glass bangles&nbsp;</h2>

<img alt="Glass bangles idol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7e42a4d-a446-4f05-92d9-c341a2c2e36c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/4_84.jpg" />

(Image credit: ANI)

Friends Union Organisation, a youth organisation in Odisha, has made an impressive and unique 15-foot-tall Ganesha idol by using 25,000 glass bangles. They have made the pandal for the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi by using bamboo.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-ganesh-chaturthi-2024-ananya-panday-sharvari-and-other-stars-extend-wishes-756689">Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Ananya Panday, Sharvari and other stars extend wishes</a>

<h2>Soap idol</h2>

<img alt="Soap Ganesha idol" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6d4c5d2-9223-4ae8-9a52-e69bcedb7313" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/5_88.jpg" />

(Image credit: ANI)

A woman from Gujarat's Surat has carved an idol of Ganesha from 2,655 kg&nbsp;of soap. She had been making eco-friendly idols of Ganesha for the last six years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated across India every year with great enthusiasm. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious occasion.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated across India every year with great enthusiasm. Devotees offer prayers to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious occasion. The festival lasts 10 days and holds great significance for devotees of Lord Ganesha. As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities start across the nation, various unique idols of Lord Ganesha have caught everyone's attention. These idols stood out from the rest for their impressive innovation. The tallest Ganesha idol (Image credit: X/@NewsMeter_In) The tallest Ganesh idol of the year had been made by artisans of Khairatabad, Hyderabad, and is 70 feet tall. A team of 150 artisans made the Saptamukha Maha Ganapati idol. The idol is made of clay, iron, and other materials and costs around one crore rupees. Also read | Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Lalbaugcha Raja's first look, darshan timings. All you need to know Vizag idols (Image credit: X/@Justice_4Vizag) SV Events & Entertainments, an event management company in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has set up an 89-foot-tall idol of Lord Ganesha, making it the tallest in the state. Another 75-foot-tall statue by Lambodhara Charitable Trust is made of jaggery lumps from Rajasthan, emphasising on eco-friendly celebration. Newspaper idol To support the eco-friendly idols of Ganesha, a craftsman, Moreswar Pawar has made an elegant idol of Ganesha by only using old newspapers. The idol is 10-foot in height and only weighs 10 kg. According to Pawar, the idol can be easily immersed and dissolved in water, making it completely biodegradable. Idol of glass bangles (Image credit: ANI) Friends Union Organisation, a youth organisation in Odisha, has made an impressive and unique 15-foot-tall Ganesha idol by using 25,000 glass bangles. They have made the pandal for the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi by using bamboo. Also read | Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Ananya Panday, Sharvari and other stars extend wishes Soap idol (Image credit: ANI) A woman from Gujarat's Surat has carved an idol of Ganesha from 2,655 kg of soap. She had been making eco-friendly idols of Ganesha for the last six years. (With inputs from agencies)

Ganesh Chaturthi 2024: Unique and mesmerising Ganesha idols mark festivities this year

Engineering is essentially problem-solving. And problem-solving may not always involve attacking the issue with fancy, expensive machinery, but it needs out-of-the-box thinking. Such thinking may have been on display as 700 soap bars were (probably) taken out of the box and used to move an iconic hotel building that weighed 220 tonnes.

The unique solution was employed in the case of the hotel located in Halifax in Canada. The building in question was built in 1826 and was later converted into the Victorian Elmwood Hotel. There were plans to demolish the structure in the year 2018. However, the historic building was purchased by a real-estate company, Galaxy Properties. The company planned to move the hotel building to a new location. Multiple media reports have said that the company plans to connect the building to a new apartment that will be constructed.

<h2>Unique solution to a problem</h2>

The biggest problem was to move the entire structure safely without any harm to it. The responsibility was reportedly undertaken by S Rushton Construction- House Moving Experts.

For a smooth shift, the company used 700 Ivory soaps so that the building would gently glide over making use of the softness provided by the soaps. The soaps were used along with two large excavators and a wrecker.

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The building was reportedly moved 30 feet this way across a steel frame.

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The company has posted a time-lapse video of the entire operation on Facebook.

“The historic Elmwood hotel in South End Halifax, made its first journey in almost 200 years, but not its last. After weeks of preparation, the move of approx 30 feet went as smoothly as..... soap. About 700 bars of it,” it said in its Facebook post.

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In its Facebook post, the company has said that the building will be moved to Barrington street and then will be taken to be placed on its new foundation in the future.

(With inputs from agencies)

Engineering is essentially problem-solving. And problem-solving may not always involve attacking the issue with fancy, expensive machinery, but it needs out-of-the-box thinking.

Engineering is essentially problem-solving. And problem-solving may not always involve attacking the issue with fancy, expensive machinery, but it needs out-of-the-box thinking. Such thinking may have been on display as 700 soap bars were (probably) taken out of the box and used to move an iconic hotel building that weighed 220 tonnes. The unique solution was employed in the case of the hotel located in Halifax in Canada. The building in question was built in 1826 and was later converted into the Victorian Elmwood Hotel. There were plans to demolish the structure in the year 2018. However, the historic building was purchased by a real-estate company, Galaxy Properties. The company planned to move the hotel building to a new location. Multiple media reports have said that the company plans to connect the building to a new apartment that will be constructed. Unique solution to a problem The biggest problem was to move the entire structure safely without any harm to it. The responsibility was reportedly undertaken by S Rushton Construction- House Moving Experts. For a smooth shift, the company used 700 Ivory soaps so that the building would gently glide over making use of the softness provided by the soaps. The soaps were used along with two large excavators and a wrecker. In Pics | Perseid meteor shower peaks, lights up skies across the world The building was reportedly moved 30 feet this way across a steel frame. In Pics | ‘Gateway to underworld’: World’s biggest permafrost crater thaws due to climate change The company has posted a time-lapse video of the entire operation on Facebook. “The historic Elmwood hotel in South End Halifax, made its first journey in almost 200 years, but not its last. After weeks of preparation, the move of approx 30 feet went as smoothly as..... soap. About 700 bars of it,” it said in its Facebook post. × In its Facebook post, the company has said that the building will be moved to Barrington street and then will be taken to be placed on its new foundation in the future. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Company uses 700 soap bars to literally move 220-tonne historic hotel building

Scientists from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia have discovered a novel application for soap bubbles after turning them into laser sensors with capability for detecting electric fields and pressure.

<h2>How the breakthrough was achieved?</h2>

"To get lasing, almost any bubble is fine. We’ve used regular hand soaps or a mixture that you can buy for children. You just need to put a small amount of fluorescent dye inside, and it works perfectly," Matjaž Humar at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, who produced the bubble lasers with Zala Potočnik, also at the University of Ljubljana told the New Scientist.

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The duo achieved the breakthrough using regular hand soaps or child-friendly bubble mixtures.&nbsp;

They reportedly added small amount of fluorescent dye to the bubble mixture, creating a medium for laser generation.

<h2>The interior volume of bubbles: Defining factor</h2>

Unlike conventional lasers that rely on mirrors to construct a cavity, the researchers used the interior volume of bubbles, some as small as half a millimetre and others measuring a few centimetres in diameter.&nbsp;

This gave them necessary space for light to bounce back and forth, a crucial component for lasing.

The addition of fluorescent dye to the bubble mixture serves as the light-amplifying material.&nbsp;

When illuminated, the dye emits light, forming the third essential component for lasers.

Also watch |&nbsp;UK to build world's most powerful laser

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External light, directed onto the bubble through an optical fibre and a focusing lens, triggers the bubble to produce its own laser light.

Humar and Potočnik further experimented with liquid crystals as an alternative to soap, to make bubble lasers stable.&nbsp;

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The bubble lasers show an unprecedented level of sensitivity, capable of detecting pressure changes as minute as 0.001 per cent of atmospheric pressure.&nbsp;

Even on clear days without thunderstorms generating electricity, they can sense the electric fields in the atmosphere.

Miguel Bandres at the University of Central Florida told the NewScientist that the team creatively combined the concept of "micro-ring lasers".&nbsp;

"They take these ideas to a totally new platform, thereby opening the door to a plethora of novel applications," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia have discovered a novel application for soap bubbles after turning them into laser sensors with capability for detecting electric fields and pressure.

Scientists from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia have discovered a novel application for soap bubbles after turning them into laser sensors with capability for detecting electric fields and pressure. How the breakthrough was achieved? "To get lasing, almost any bubble is fine. We’ve used regular hand soaps or a mixture that you can buy for children. You just need to put a small amount of fluorescent dye inside, and it works perfectly," Matjaž Humar at the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia, who produced the bubble lasers with Zala Potočnik, also at the University of Ljubljana told the New Scientist. Also read | Scientists achieve superconductivity breakthrough for next-age electrical transmission The duo achieved the breakthrough using regular hand soaps or child-friendly bubble mixtures. They reportedly added small amount of fluorescent dye to the bubble mixture, creating a medium for laser generation. The interior volume of bubbles: Defining factor Unlike conventional lasers that rely on mirrors to construct a cavity, the researchers used the interior volume of bubbles, some as small as half a millimetre and others measuring a few centimetres in diameter. This gave them necessary space for light to bounce back and forth, a crucial component for lasing. The addition of fluorescent dye to the bubble mixture serves as the light-amplifying material. When illuminated, the dye emits light, forming the third essential component for lasers. Also watch | UK to build world's most powerful laser × External light, directed onto the bubble through an optical fibre and a focusing lens, triggers the bubble to produce its own laser light. Humar and Potočnik further experimented with liquid crystals as an alternative to soap, to make bubble lasers stable. What does it mean? The bubble lasers show an unprecedented level of sensitivity, capable of detecting pressure changes as minute as 0.001 per cent of atmospheric pressure. Even on clear days without thunderstorms generating electricity, they can sense the electric fields in the atmosphere. Miguel Bandres at the University of Central Florida told the NewScientist that the team creatively combined the concept of "micro-ring lasers". "They take these ideas to a totally new platform, thereby opening the door to a plethora of novel applications," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists create lasers from soap bubbles for handheld sensing devices

Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old boy from Virginia, has developed a soap that can treat skin cancer. The ninth grader from WT Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia, won the America's Top Young Scientist after competing with nine other finalists in the 2023 3M Young Scientists Challenge.

Heman Bekele, a 14-year-old boy from Virginia, has developed a soap that can treat skin cancer. The ninth grader from WT Woodson High School in Annandale, Virginia, won the America's Top Young Scientist after competing with nine other finalists in the 2023 3M Young Scientists Challenge. According to reports, Bekele infused medicinal soap with three other ingredients and created an affordable soap for treating skin cancer. The ingredients revive the dendritic cells to induce an immune response to combat the fatal disease. The cost of one bar of soap is $0.50, the Daily Mail reported. According to Bekele's LinkedIn, he is a freshman attending Woodson High School and a self-taught programmer, fluent in Python, Lua, JavaScript, and C. He describes himself as "passionate about medicine, programming, and making an impact" and "eager for opportunities in research and internships in STEM & computer science." ALSO READ | This mega sea predator lived 170 million years ago and gobbled up everything in sight, says study "Skin cancer is the most common in people living in developing countries. However, the average price of an operation is $40,000," Bekele told Fairfax County Public Schools. He was devastated to know that people had to choose between treatment and putting food on the table for their families. He added, "There are so many preventable deaths." Bekele researched more about skin cancer and dendritic cells. In the video he submitted for the contest, he mentioned the three ingredients are salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and tretinoin. He further explained that the three ingredients are keratolytic agents that break down the skin's outer layers. The young genius named the product skin-cancer treating soap (SCTS). A patient can apply the soap to the skin every two to three days after getting a prescription. Bekele also received $25,000 with the award, which he plans to put towards securing a patent and college. Heman aspires to become an electrical engineer in the future. He said, "I envision myself leading a team of professionals developing innovative electrical systems that will shape the future of technology. Alongside my professional success, I hope to have a fulfilling personal life with a loving family and a strong network of friends." He added, "I also hope to have given back to my community by mentoring aspiring engineers and supporting initiatives that promote STEM education. Ultimately, in 15 years, I hope I positively impacted the world through my work and personal endeavours." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Who is Heman Bekele? America's Top Young Scientist winner who created soap for treating skin cancer

A study published in the iScience journal Wednesday explored how different soaps repel mosquitoes, concluding that coconut could be the magic scent that keeps the pesky insects away.

The smell of Coconut may help keep Mosquitoes away: Study

A study has warned that synthetic chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, commonly found in food packaging and some kitchen utensils can increase the chances of a person contracting cancer by more than four-fold.

These man-made chemicals, called perfluooctane sulfate (PFAS), are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products— from non-stick cookware, tap water,&nbsp;seafood, waterproof clothing, cleaning products and even shampoo.

They are called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and accumulate in the environment and human tissue, including the liver.

The researchers at the University of Southern&nbsp;California&nbsp;(USC), in&nbsp;Los Angeles, found that these “forever chemicals” can increase a person's risk of contracting non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma — a common liver cancer.&nbsp;

They found that the people with the most recorded exposure to these toxins suffered up to a 4.5-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with the disease compared to those with the least.

Though earlier research conducted in animals suggested that PFAS exposure increases the risk of liver cancer, Monday’s study published in JHEP Reports is the first to confirm the presence in human samples.

“This builds on the existing research, but takes it one step further,” said Jesse Goodrich, PhD, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the&nbsp;Department of Population and Public Health Sciences&nbsp;at the Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement.

“Liver cancer is one of the most serious endpoints in liver disease and this is the first study in humans to show that PFAS are associated with this disease,” he added.

The USC team based their research on data collated from the Multiethnic Cohort Study —a project similar to the UK biobank that gathers massive amounts of medical data from people in Hawaii and in the Los Angeles area.

The scientists analysed blood samples from the cancer patients before their diagnosis, and compared it to the control group of those who never developed the disease.

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They found that these man-made harmful chemicals enter the liver after being ingested in some way - just like many other harmful things the body eventually consumes.

Then they become embedded in the liver, and significantly alter its processes as a result.

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The USC team found that PFOS altered glucose metabolism, bile acid metabolism and amino acids in the liver. As a result, more fat formed around the liver and increased the risk of a person developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, reports Daily Mail.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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A study has warned that synthetic chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, commonly found in food packaging and some kitchen utensils can increase the chances of a person contracting cancer by more than four-fold.

A study has warned that synthetic chemicals, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, commonly found in food packaging and some kitchen utensils can increase the chances of a person contracting cancer by more than four-fold. These man-made chemicals, called perfluooctane sulfate (PFAS), are used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products— from non-stick cookware, tap water, seafood, waterproof clothing, cleaning products and even shampoo. They are called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and accumulate in the environment and human tissue, including the liver. The researchers at the University of Southern California (USC), in Los Angeles, found that these “forever chemicals” can increase a person's risk of contracting non-viral hepatocellular carcinoma — a common liver cancer. They found that the people with the most recorded exposure to these toxins suffered up to a 4.5-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with the disease compared to those with the least. Though earlier research conducted in animals suggested that PFAS exposure increases the risk of liver cancer, Monday’s study published in JHEP Reports is the first to confirm the presence in human samples. “This builds on the existing research, but takes it one step further,” said Jesse Goodrich, PhD, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine, said in a statement. “Liver cancer is one of the most serious endpoints in liver disease and this is the first study in humans to show that PFAS are associated with this disease,” he added. The USC team based their research on data collated from the Multiethnic Cohort Study —a project similar to the UK biobank that gathers massive amounts of medical data from people in Hawaii and in the Los Angeles area. The scientists analysed blood samples from the cancer patients before their diagnosis, and compared it to the control group of those who never developed the disease. Also read | Casper, the ghostly octopus discovered in waters off Hawaii is likely new species They found that these man-made harmful chemicals enter the liver after being ingested in some way - just like many other harmful things the body eventually consumes. Then they become embedded in the liver, and significantly alter its processes as a result. Also read | Israeli scientists create ‘precision weapon’ consisting of viruses that eliminate bowel-harming bacteria The USC team found that PFOS altered glucose metabolism, bile acid metabolism and amino acids in the liver. As a result, more fat formed around the liver and increased the risk of a person developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, reports Daily Mail. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Beware! Kitchen utensils can increase risk of liver cancer by four-fold, says report

Friends and family initially mocked one Jordanian family's new venture making&nbsp;soap&nbsp;from&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;milk. But now, a year on, the company is cleaning&nbsp;up&nbsp;as customers bray for more.

Atan&nbsp;Donkey&nbsp;Milk&nbsp;Soaps produces 100 per cent natural soaps from its farm in Madaba,&nbsp;35 kilometres (21 miles) southwest of Amman, where it keeps 12 donkeys, and a small manufacturing workshop in the Jordanian capital.

Although other regions around the Mediterranean produce&nbsp;soap&nbsp;from&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;milk, this is the first for&nbsp;Jordan.

"At the beginning, many laughed at the idea," said Emad Attiyat, 32, co-founder of the project which takes its name from the Arabic for a jenny or female&nbsp;donkey, "atan".

Sceptics scoffed they "would use nothing on (their) skin related to donkeys," added Attiyat who has a degree in Management Information Systems.

But "after trying the&nbsp;soap, all that changed, and now we produce more than 4,500 bars of&nbsp;soap&nbsp;per month to meet the demand," he said, standing next to the barn where the animals are housed.

<h2>'Reducing ageing'&nbsp;</h2>

Donkey's&nbsp;milk&nbsp;is said to be rich in minerals and proteins that can help moisturise the skin. It also has high levels of antioxidants, which protect the skin from sunlight and the effects of ageing, according to beauticians.

One litre of&nbsp;milk&nbsp;produces around 30 bars of&nbsp;soap, but milking each female is a painstaking task done with the help of a hand-held electronic pump.

Each&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;has to be milked three times a day in order to get about a litre of fluid, and leaving about another litre for its foal. The&nbsp;milk&nbsp;is frozen and then&nbsp;transferred to the company's workshop in Amman to be turned into&nbsp;soap.

Research has shown&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;milk&nbsp;can "help regenerate skin cells, reduce signs of ageing and help cure some skin diseases such as eczema," said Attiyat's mother Salma Al-Zubi.

She was the one who came&nbsp;up&nbsp;with the idea of trying the venture.&nbsp;

An environmental activist and retired teacher, she said&nbsp;donkey's&nbsp;milk&nbsp;soap&nbsp;contributes to balancing the skin's moisture levels, removing wrinkles as well as the effects of spots and acne.

Now in her 60s, she helps mix ingredients in their company's Amman workshop in a large steel bowl, wearing a white face mask and blue gloves.

Olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil as well as shea butter are added to the&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;milk&nbsp;to produce the&nbsp;soap&nbsp;which is then sold via their Facebook page.

A small, 85-gram bar of&nbsp;soap&nbsp;costs eight Jordanian dinars ($11), while a large 125-gram bar of&nbsp;soap&nbsp;is sold for ten dinars ($14).

By comparison, a litre of&nbsp;donkey's&nbsp;milk&nbsp;in Europe can reach as high as 60 euros, and is used in making some expensive cheeses.

<h2>Providing jobs</h2>

Attiyat is now hoping to expand production to face and hand creams and lotions.

Donkey's&nbsp;milk&nbsp;is "rich in proteins and minerals including magnesium, copper, sodium, manganese, zinc, calcium and iron, all of which are very important for the skin," said dietician Susanna Haddad, who works at a beauty centre in Amman.

It contains "higher percentages of whey, which has antimicrobial properties" and can also prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria.

As she poured the mixture into special silicon moulds to shape the bars over the next month, Zubi said the venture had provided jobs to several family members "including my son Emad, who has suffered from unemployment for many years".

Jordan's already weak economy has been badly hit by the year-long restrictions and closures imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The poverty rate, according to official figures, rose to about 15.7 per cent by late 2020, while estimates say it could soar to more than 24 per cent this year.

Unemployment also increased in the first quarter of 2021 to reach 25 per cent, or 50 per cent among the youth in a country whose public debt exceeded $48 billion, or more than 108 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Loyal customer, lawyer Esraa al-Turk, 48, said she had been attracted to the&nbsp;donkey&nbsp;milk&nbsp;soap&nbsp;because it is a natural product.

Friends and family initially mocked one Jordanian family's new venture making soap from donkey milk. But now, a year on, the company is cleaning up as customers bray for more.

Friends and family initially mocked one Jordanian family's new venture making soap from donkey milk. But now, a year on, the company is cleaning up as customers bray for more. Atan Donkey Milk Soaps produces 100 per cent natural soaps from its farm in Madaba, 35 kilometres (21 miles) southwest of Amman, where it keeps 12 donkeys, and a small manufacturing workshop in the Jordanian capital. Although other regions around the Mediterranean produce soap from donkey milk, this is the first for Jordan. "At the beginning, many laughed at the idea," said Emad Attiyat, 32, co-founder of the project which takes its name from the Arabic for a jenny or female donkey, "atan". Sceptics scoffed they "would use nothing on (their) skin related to donkeys," added Attiyat who has a degree in Management Information Systems. But "after trying the soap, all that changed, and now we produce more than 4,500 bars of soap per month to meet the demand," he said, standing next to the barn where the animals are housed. 'Reducing ageing' Donkey's milk is said to be rich in minerals and proteins that can help moisturise the skin. It also has high levels of antioxidants, which protect the skin from sunlight and the effects of ageing, according to beauticians. One litre of milk produces around 30 bars of soap, but milking each female is a painstaking task done with the help of a hand-held electronic pump. Each donkey has to be milked three times a day in order to get about a litre of fluid, and leaving about another litre for its foal. The milk is frozen and then transferred to the company's workshop in Amman to be turned into soap. Research has shown donkey milk can "help regenerate skin cells, reduce signs of ageing and help cure some skin diseases such as eczema," said Attiyat's mother Salma Al-Zubi. She was the one who came up with the idea of trying the venture. An environmental activist and retired teacher, she said donkey's milk soap contributes to balancing the skin's moisture levels, removing wrinkles as well as the effects of spots and acne. Now in her 60s, she helps mix ingredients in their company's Amman workshop in a large steel bowl, wearing a white face mask and blue gloves. Olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil as well as shea butter are added to the donkey milk to produce the soap which is then sold via their Facebook page. A small, 85-gram bar of soap costs eight Jordanian dinars ($11), while a large 125-gram bar of soap is sold for ten dinars ($14). By comparison, a litre of donkey's milk in Europe can reach as high as 60 euros, and is used in making some expensive cheeses. Providing jobs Attiyat is now hoping to expand production to face and hand creams and lotions. Donkey's milk is "rich in proteins and minerals including magnesium, copper, sodium, manganese, zinc, calcium and iron, all of which are very important for the skin," said dietician Susanna Haddad, who works at a beauty centre in Amman. It contains "higher percentages of whey, which has antimicrobial properties" and can also prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria. As she poured the mixture into special silicon moulds to shape the bars over the next month, Zubi said the venture had provided jobs to several family members "including my son Emad, who has suffered from unemployment for many years". Jordan's already weak economy has been badly hit by the year-long restrictions and closures imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The poverty rate, according to official figures, rose to about 15.7 per cent by late 2020, while estimates say it could soar to more than 24 per cent this year. Unemployment also increased in the first quarter of 2021 to reach 25 per cent, or 50 per cent among the youth in a country whose public debt exceeded $48 billion, or more than 108 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). Loyal customer, lawyer Esraa al-Turk, 48, said she had been attracted to the donkey milk soap because it is a natural product.

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