The Sonoran Desert toad is somewhat infamous for a toxin it secretes which can be used to have a hallucinogenic experience. The animal appears mostly in North America and several reports claim that people end up having violent episodes after coming in contact with the animal. However, licking them has suddenly turned into a trend in the United States and the authorities are not happy about it.&nbsp;

The US National Park Service has come out with an official warning against people trying to lick the Sonoran Desert toad for a quick high. The authorities have stated that the warning is meant to protect people from falling sick due to overexposure to the toxin of the largest toad in the US.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ten-african-countries-accuse-european-union-of-endangering-global-hippo-population-532237" hreflang="en">Ten African countries accuse European Union of endangering global hippo population</a>

Toad-licking is not a new practice with many parts of Africa and South America providing such services on the black market. However, the health concerns are equally well documented, and over the years, multiple deaths have been attributed to overdosing or constant abuse of the toxins.&nbsp;

According to the official website of the Organ Pipe Cactus national monument in Arizona, hallucinations and euphoria are the effects of consuming the toxin but can be lethal in high doses.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/3-billion-in-bitcoin-seized-by-us-department-of-justice-in-a-decade-old-case-532176" hreflang="en">$3 billion in Bitcoin seized by US Department of Justice in a decade old case</a>

“As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, an unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking,” it said.&nbsp;

The warning is not just limited to human beings as the owners were also asked to refrain their dogs from licking the toad as the toxins can also impact them. “Animals that harass this species generally are intoxicated through the mouth, nose, or eyes,” the&nbsp;Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum told The Guardian.&nbsp;

The Sonoran Desert toad is somewhat infamous for a toxin it secretes which can be used to have a hallucinogenic experience. The animal appears mostly in North America and several reports claim that people end up having violent episodes after coming in contact with the animal.

The Sonoran Desert toad is somewhat infamous for a toxin it secretes which can be used to have a hallucinogenic experience. The animal appears mostly in North America and several reports claim that people end up having violent episodes after coming in contact with the animal. However, licking them has suddenly turned into a trend in the United States and the authorities are not happy about it. The US National Park Service has come out with an official warning against people trying to lick the Sonoran Desert toad for a quick high. The authorities have stated that the warning is meant to protect people from falling sick due to overexposure to the toxin of the largest toad in the US. Also read | Ten African countries accuse European Union of endangering global hippo population Toad-licking is not a new practice with many parts of Africa and South America providing such services on the black market. However, the health concerns are equally well documented, and over the years, multiple deaths have been attributed to overdosing or constant abuse of the toxins. According to the official website of the Organ Pipe Cactus national monument in Arizona, hallucinations and euphoria are the effects of consuming the toxin but can be lethal in high doses. Also read | $3 billion in Bitcoin seized by US Department of Justice in a decade old case “As we say with most things you come across in a national park, whether it be a banana slug, an unfamiliar mushroom, or a large toad with glowing eyes in the dead of night, please refrain from licking,” it said. The warning is not just limited to human beings as the owners were also asked to refrain their dogs from licking the toad as the toxins can also impact them. “Animals that harass this species generally are intoxicated through the mouth, nose, or eyes,” the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum told The Guardian.

Stop licking toads, US National Parks Service warns visitors

Polls have started closing in high stakes US Midterm elections as millions of Americans cast their vote that will shape the future of United States. These polls are shaping up to be the most consequential in the nation's history.

US Midterm Elections: Democrats flip Pennsylvania senate seat

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is ready to have “genuine peace talks” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin but laid out certain conditions.&nbsp;His shift in stance comes after the West nudged the Ukrainian leader to initiate discussions with Putin to achieve a long-lasting solution to the conflict.&nbsp;

Among the conditions set out by Zelensky include returning Ukrainian control over its territories,&nbsp;ensure reparations for destruction&nbsp;and bringing to justice&nbsp;perpetrators of war crimes.&nbsp;

However, it is believed that Russia would not agree to the preconditions listed out by the Ukrainian leader and hence the probability of the talks being held is pretty low.

Watch |&nbsp;US Midterm Elections: Republicans call out Biden's 'blank cheque' for Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterm-elections-republicans-call-out-bidens-blank-cheque-for-ukraine-532295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Kyiv has been making significant advances in the battlefield in recent months, thanks to the military aid provided by the West.&nbsp;

Russia, too, has intensified its attacks following the Crimean bridge attack, which it&nbsp;claimed was perpetrated by Ukrainian forces.&nbsp;

US officials have been urging Zelensky to hold talks with Putin over fears that public support for the country’s war efforts could dwindle with&nbsp;no end to the conflict in sight.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-ukrainians-are-recycling-a-downed-russian-jet-by-turning-them-into-luggage-tags-report-530690" hreflang="en">Some Ukrainians are 'recycling' a downed Russian jet by turning them into luggage tags: Report</a>

Recently, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan extended "unwavering and unflinching" support to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv.&nbsp;

"We fully intend to ensure that the resources are there as necessary and that we'll get votes from both sides of the aisle to make that happen," Sullivan told reporters during a briefing at the Ukrainian presidential administration.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-north-korea-covertly-supplying-russia-with-artillery-shells-530665" hreflang="en">US alleges North Korea is 'covertly supplying' artillery shells to Russia for Ukraine war</a>

There have been demands amongst some Republicans to scale back military aid to Kyiv even as experts and opinion polls tip the Grand Old Party to take control of the US Congress. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE: 

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is ready to have “genuine peace talks” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin but laid out certain conditions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is ready to have “genuine peace talks” with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin but laid out certain conditions. His shift in stance comes after the West nudged the Ukrainian leader to initiate discussions with Putin to achieve a long-lasting solution to the conflict. Among the conditions set out by Zelensky include returning Ukrainian control over its territories, ensure reparations for destruction and bringing to justice perpetrators of war crimes. However, it is believed that Russia would not agree to the preconditions listed out by the Ukrainian leader and hence the probability of the talks being held is pretty low. Watch | US Midterm Elections: Republicans call out Biden's 'blank cheque' for Ukraine Kyiv has been making significant advances in the battlefield in recent months, thanks to the military aid provided by the West. Russia, too, has intensified its attacks following the Crimean bridge attack, which it claimed was perpetrated by Ukrainian forces. US officials have been urging Zelensky to hold talks with Putin over fears that public support for the country’s war efforts could dwindle with no end to the conflict in sight. Also read | Some Ukrainians are 'recycling' a downed Russian jet by turning them into luggage tags: Report Recently, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan extended "unwavering and unflinching" support to Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv. "We fully intend to ensure that the resources are there as necessary and that we'll get votes from both sides of the aisle to make that happen," Sullivan told reporters during a briefing at the Ukrainian presidential administration. Also read | US alleges North Korea is 'covertly supplying' artillery shells to Russia for Ukraine war There have been demands amongst some Republicans to scale back military aid to Kyiv even as experts and opinion polls tip the Grand Old Party to take control of the US Congress. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ukrainian President Zelensky ready to extend olive branch to Putin, but with conditions  

Millions have voted in the crucial midterm polls that will decide America's future. The Democrats have managed to flip the closely contested senate seat from Pennsylvania.

US Midterm election live updates: Democrats win Pennsylvania race; Republicans take Florida

Polls have started closing in high stakes US Midterm Elections as millions of Americans cast their vote that will shape the future of United States of America. Polls have started to close in some parts of Indiana and Kentucky. These polls are shaping up to be the most consequential in the nation's history.

US Midterm Elections: Democrats flip Massachusetts Governor seat

With the Republicans leading in the midterm elections, the party seems to be eyeing the 2024 Presidential elections. Ron DeSantis, the 44-year-old politician, has become the Florida Governor for the second time and before that he was part of the law chamber for five years.

US Midterm Elections | Donald Trump vs Ron DeSantis: Cracks within the Republicans?

It's the most watched election right now, millions have voted in the US midterm elections that could define America's future and results have started pouring in. In the latest, Democrats have managed to flip the closely contested seat from Pennsylvania.

US Midterm Elections: Democrat Kathy Hochul wins New York Governor race

The United States of America has a new winner, this comes after a Powerball player in California won the $2.4 billion jackpot. This ends the string of 40 drawings which did not produce any winners. The lack of winners in the previous drawings caused the top prize to touch a record territory.

US: Powerball lottery finds winner; new jackpot eclipses previous record of $1.58 bn

US Midterm Elections: Big win for Republicans in Florida

US Midterm Elections: Neck-and-neck battle for US senate; Republicans retain Governor, Senate seats

US Midterm elections: Maura Healey to be America's first openly lesbian governor

Millions of Americans have cast their votes in these crucial midterm elections and polling has been closed in multiple states in the United States of America. Although, in the Western part of the nation, polling is still on but votes are being counted early.

US Midterm Elections: Marco Rubio wins Florida senate race

"They kept asking if he's good for General Elections, so as of this moment, we have 80 wins and 3 losses, is that okay? Wouldn't that be funny if we were better on the general election than the nominations themselves," said former President Donald Trump while addressing the media.

US Midterm Elections: Donald Trump eyes 2024 Presidential race; addresses media

'There's a lot of bad things going on, stay online - they are gonna try to force you, they want to delay you of voting but they cannot delay you out of voting. So to the people of Arizona - stay online, don't leave already - a lot of people have left and it's very, very unfair of what's going on," said Donald Trump after finding out that there's a problem in vote-counting machines.

US Midterm Elections: Problems in vote-counting machines, Donald Trump reacts

US Midterm Elections: Millions of Americans cast their vote

According to the early trends, there seems to be an early lead that the Republicans have stolen from the Democrats. The states have just started the results and the Grand Old Party (GOP) of politics have stolen the lead. In the latest, the incumbent Governor of Florida, Ron Desantis, has managed to hold on to the seat.

US Midterm Elections: Who will control the US Congress? Which way will swing states go?

In the US midterm elections what matters most to 32% voters is inflation, 27% voters think of abortion, crime and gun policy matters to 12% voters, immigration matters to 10% voters and 7% have no answer.

US Midterm Elections: What matters to the voters?

'We made promises to the people of Florida and we have delivered on those promises, and so today after four years, people have delivered their verdict - freedom is here to stay," said Ron DeSantis after getting re-elected in Florida.

US Midterm Elections: Republican Ron DeSantis re-elected in Florida, addresses media

I can't thank enough to the people who are present here in this room, I am also thankful to the most amazing campaign staff you could ever imagine, who have put in their tireless efforts. I will forever be grateful to each of you and I won't let any of you down," said Sarah Sanders after getting elected as Arkansas governor.

US Midterm Election: Trump's former White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders elected Arkansas governor

US Midterm Elections: Maura Healey elected Massachusetts governor

Inflation and abortion are the top voter concern on election day. The turnout has been much more expensive than anticipated. It's being seen as a sign of how crucial this year's midterms have become.

US Midterm Elections: Inflation and abortion top voter concerns

The voters are divided culturally and politically as they are concerned about where the United States of America is headed. Amidst this, 2022 US Midterm Elections are projected to be the most expensive non-Presidential election in the American history.

US Midterm 2022 are most expensive elections, says reports; projected to exceed $16.7 bn

Which issues are dominating the political debate around the US midterm elections?

Gravitas: US Midterms: What's at stake

US President Joe Biden has admitted that democrats face a "tough" challenge holding their majority in the House of Representatives.

Gravitas: America heads to the polls

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