(2021-04-25). Response Options Should Be At Center Of Climate Risk Assessment And Management. eurasiareview.com A team of researchers from the Africa Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) led a global team of 21 climate risk scholars to better understand and inform decision making around climate change risks in Africa and globally by examining how the drivers of risk interact. | Their work extends on existing risk frameworks with the hope that this research could help decision makers, managers and researchers understand the inherent complexity of climate change. | "Understanding the interactions among risks holds potential to change the way we respond to the risks. This is important because policy makers may worry a…
(2021-04-25). Flexible Diet May Help Leaf-Eating Lemurs Resist Deforestation. eurasiareview.com Fruits and veggies are good for you and if you are a lemur, they may even help mitigate the effects of habitat loss. | A new study sequencing the genome of four species of sifakas, a genus of lemurs found only in Madagascar's forests, reveals that these animals' taste for leaves runs all the way to their genes, which are also more diverse than expected for an endangered species. | Sifakas are folivores, meaning that the bulk of their diet is composed of leaves. Leaves can be difficult to digest and full of toxic compounds meant to prevent them from being eaten. Unlike our carefully selected spinach, tree leave…
(2021-04-24). Continuing the War in Syria. dissidentvoice.org 
The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism held a hearing on April 15, 2021, on "10 Years of War: Examining the Ongoing Conflict in Syria." As is customary of American exceptionalism, the feasibility of regime change in Damascus was not left undiscussed. Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, …
(2021-04-24). How climate insecurity could trigger more conflict in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. juancole.com 
By Andrew E. Yaw Tchie | — Climate change effects such as droughts, flash floods, erratic rainfall, disruption to the monsoon seasons, strong winds, cyclones, sandstorms, dust storms and increased temperature are being experienced across Somalia. These effects are affecting livelihoods, and contributing to local grievances and community tensions. Some of these insights and conclusions …
(2021-04-24). Seeing health 'opportunities' in post-pandemic Papua New Guinea: a UN Resident Coordinator blog. news.un.org The global COVID-19 pandemic could provide "opportunities" to improve health care in Papua New Guinea (PNG) after the crisis is over, according to the United Nations' most senior official in the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation.
(2021-04-24). San Leandro Calls for Justice for Steven Taylor and Other N. California Victims of Police. indybay.org Steven Taylor was an African American resident of San Leandro who was killed by the police in a Walmart on 4/18/20. The officer who shot Taylor has been charged with manslaughter and is awaiting trial. A rally on the anniversary of Taylor's death called for an end to police violence against African Americans and other people of color.
(2021-04-24). Guinea Pigs On Campus — OpEd. eurasiareview.com When I was in college, there was a place called Pharmaco in the same city as my university. At Pharmaco students could earn thousands of dollars for doing little. | Here is how it worked. Agree to take some experimental pharmaceutical and to be monitored some, and answer some questions, regarding how you feel. In return, receive a payment. | Some students took Pharmaco up on its lucrative offer. Many other students worked for months at regular jobs to earn the same amount of money, even though they knew of Pharmaco's easier path to income. | The offered income at Pharmaco had to be high to provide sufficient i…
(2021-04-23). African Activists: The Earth Is in Peril If Wealthy Nations Don't Slash Emissions & Pay Climate Debt. democracynow.org 
As President Biden convenes a major climate summit, we speak with two leading climate activists from Africa about the "climate debt" rich countries owe the Global South and the major emissions cuts still needed in order to avert the worst effects of the planetary emergency. "Given the scale of the crisis right now, the only thing that is going to get us out of it is not going to be baby steps in the right direction," says Kumi Naidoo, special adviser for the Green Economy Coalition's Social Contract Initiative, as well as the former head of Greenpeace International. "It's going to be big, bold, courageous, struct…
(2021-04-23). Headlines for April 23, 2021. democracynow.org Biden Pledges to Halve U.S. Emissions Compared to 2005 Levels as Virtual Climate Summit Opens, House Committee Hears Testimony on Role of Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Preventing Climate Action, New York City Sues Big Oil over Decades of False Advertising About Climate Crisis, India Posts World Record Coronavirus Case Count for Second Consecutive Day, South Africa Resumes Use of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine, Study Confirms Elevated Risk of COVID-19 for Expectant Mothers and Babies, House Votes to Make "Washington, Douglass Commonwealth" the 51st State, Senate Passes Bill Targeting Anti-Asian Hate Crimes, Pro-Tru…
(2021-04-23). Venezuela Strengthens Alliances with Angola & South Africa. orinocotribune.com 
Venezuela's Minister of Ecological Mining Development, Magaly Henríquez, and the Consul General for the Republic of Angola in Venezuela, Felisberto Fernándes Da Costa, agreed on the reactivation and strengthening of strategic alliances between both nations for the relaunch of Venezuela's diamond industry. | The minister indicated that it was a fruitful meeting to improve bilateral cooperation and training exchange in the diamond sector, which will benefit the Mining Engine (mining development plan) and contribute to the diversification of Venezuela's economy. "Alliances for mutual development," wrote the minister…
(2021-04-23). Reflections on Genocide as the Ultimate Crime. counterpunch.org 
The misuse of the word genocide is disdainful toward relatives of the victims of the Armenian massacres, the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide — and as well a disservice to both history, law, and the prudent conduct of international relations. We already knew that we were adrift in an ocean of fake news. It is far more dangerous to discover that we are also at risk of being immersed in the turbulent waters of "fake law". We must push back with a sense of urgency. Such a development is not tolerable.
(2021-04-23). Love and Revolution. counterpunch.org 
The French military and political response to the Algerian war of national liberation became, along with the British anti-guerrilla operation in Malaysia, the template for many subsequent such operations. From Vietnam to Latin America, the French and British colonial model of counterinsurgency became the reference to which other imperial nations looked. Torture, the targeting of
(2021-04-23). France Supports Chad's Military Government, As Rebels March On The Capital. southfront.org 
Click to see full-size image | On April 22nd, France backed the Chadian Army's takeover of the country, after the battlefield death of President Idriss Deby. | Any other choice allegedly undermines its superficial fight against militants in the Sahel. | Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian justified the installation of a military council headed by Deby's son on the grounds that stability and security were paramount at this time."There are exceptional circumstances," Le Drian said. | Deby's son Mahamat t…
(2021-04-23). ISIS Shared Summery Of Its Attacks In Iraq, Western Africa In Last Ten Days. southfront.org 
Illustrative image | On April 22, ISIS news agency Amaq released an infographic summarizing the group's attacks in Iraq and West Africa over the last ten days, which were the first quarter of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan. | According to the infographic, ISIS cells carried out 40 operations in Iraq, including the April 15 car bomb attack in Sadr city in the capital Baghdad and the April 17 raid on three positions of the Iraqi military and tribal forces near al-Hliwah Aiport in Kirkuk. | As a result of the attacks: | 7…
(2021-04-23). Pandemic produced a "catastrophic year" for Middle East and North Africa. wsws.org The pandemic has inflicted a horrendous toll, with more than 7.3 million recorded cases and 150,000 fatalities, a pale reflection of the real losses and suffering given the lack of testing and recording systems.
(2021-04-23). Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa. wsws.org Spanish steelworkers at Tubacex in Alva province continue strike begun February against redundancies; UK bus strikes continue at Go North West in Manchester and London United over fire and rehire and attacks on pay and conditions; Italian students at high school in Naples refuse in person and online lessons over lack of Covid safety; delivery workers at Uber Eats and Deliveroo strike in Nantes, France over low pay…
(2021-04-23). Turkey summons Greek, French ambassadors over Mediterranean incident. wsws.org The naval incident points to mounting conflicts among rival NATO alliance members in the eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East and Africa.
(2021-04-23). A Closer Look At China's Controversial Lending Practices Around The World — Analysis. eurasiareview.com By Reid Standish* | ( It has issued massive loans through its flagship foreign policy project, the Belt and Road Initiative. It has inked contracts with governments from Latin America to Africa and Eastern Europe to South Asia. | But despite being the world's largest official creditor, many of the basic facts around Beijing's foreign lending are still unknown. | Crucial details about the terms and conditions of China and its stat…
(2021-04-23). LA Priest Tells How He Survived Shooting In Nigeria. eurasiareview.com By Michelle McDaniel | Father Aloysius Ezoenyeka didn't know how long he had been unconscious. A gentle slapping on his face stirred him, and his eyelids flicked open to an African hospital room filled with people clapping and cheering. | "Father, Happy New Year. Welcome to 2021." Joy flooded the faces of the weary doctors, nurses, friends, and family who surrounded his bed. | The news of the new year wasn't the only surprise awaiting his waking moments. The medical staff recounted everything that had happened to him over the past 24 hours, relaying the harrowing tale of the father-and-son rescue team that bro…
(2021-04-23). Do not use national security waiver to clear military aid to Egypt, rights groups urge US. peoplesdispatch.org Fourteen organizations wrote to the Joe Biden administration urging it not to use a national security waiver to clear military aid to Egypt. The waiver has been used in the past to avoid an evaluation of Egypt's human rights record as part of the aid is conditional…
(2021-04-23). Groups Urge Blinken to Keep Human Rights Conditions on US Military Aid to Egypt. commondreams.org The NGOs said in a letter that refusing to waive conditions "will send a clear message" that the Biden administration "is serious about its commitment to supporting human rights abroad." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/egypt_2000x1047.jpg …
(2021-04-23). At Least 120 Asylum-Seekers Feared Dead in Shipwreck Off Libyan Coast, After Authorities' Inaction. commondreams.org International rescue organizations on Friday condemned the inaction of European and Libyan authorities after at least 120 asylum seekers were believed to have drowned off the coast of Libya. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/rescue_boat.jpg …
(2021-04-23). Taking Down Human Traffickers Through Online Ads. eurasiareview.com Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and McGill University have adapted an algorithm first developed to spot anomalies in data, like typos in patient information at hospitals or errant figures in accounting, to identify similarities across escort ads. | The algorithm scans and clusters similarities in text and could help law enforcement direct their investigations and better identify human traffickers and their victims, said Christos Faloutsos, the Fredkin Professor in Artificial Intelligence at CMU's School of Computer Science, who led the team. | "Our algorithm can put the millions of advertisements tog…