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The Afropolitan will be taking a brief hiatus to re-envision its next steps. Stay tuned for an exciting new chapter! In the meantime, we're sharing our very first episode from October, which focused on how older people in Mali are consuming news on TikTok, and why this symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of people would rather receive their news in Bambara, one of Mali's national languages, over French. Secondly, growing internet access has connected people across Mali and has brought more visibility to the plight of Malians living in conflict-affected areas. However, as social media usage grows, so too does online misinformation and disinformation.
Find out more about the battlefield in mediaeval Mali in our bonus episode. Subscribe for weekly episodes and ad-free listening. Musa is tantalisingly close to completing his pilgrimage but conflict looms large in Timbuktu as the nomadic Tuareg pose a formidable challenge for the Malians. A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Written and presented by Luke Pepera Producer - Dominic Tyerman Story editing – Georgia Mills Executive Producer - Louisa Field Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator: Eric Ryan Marketing - Kieran Lancini Sound Design and Mixing - Amber Devereux Head of content – Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The story of older people in Mali who consume news on TikTok symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of people would rather receive their news in Bambara, one of Mali's national languages, over French. Secondly, growing internet access has connected people across Mali and has brought more visibility to the plight of Malians living in conflict-affected areas. However, as social media usage grows, so too does online misinformation and disinformation.
Amidst political, economic, and security issues Malians continue to seek justice and reconciliation to restore peace in their country. Since 2012, the Malian government has been engaged in a war against the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MLNA) who intend to secede the Northern region of Mali. Additionally, Mali has experienced 8 attempted coups with 5 of them being successful since its independence in 1960. The turmoil experienced raises questions on how to attain national cohesion and how the Malian government can navigate meeting the plethora of needs that its citizens require. Good governance which is accountable to the people is what Malians are asking for. Moussa Kondo, Executive Director Sahel Institute, joins Mvemba to share perspectives and insights into the political and economic landscape of Mali. Kondo expertly shares the historical context of the insecurity in Mali and some reflections on how Mali can overcome the challenges it is facing today.
In this Coffee Break episode, Africa Legal's Tom Pearson chats to Mamadou Coulibaly, co-founder and managing partner of Satis Partners, about the shift in Mali's mining regulations. Recent bold changes to Mali's mining regulations aim to boost the West African country's economy while empowering local communities. Mamadou Coulibaly, a seasoned lawyer at Satis Partners sheds light on these changes that have unfolded since the 2020 political shift. Following the regime change and national dialogue, one key resolution was to enhance revenue generation for Malians from the lucrative gold and ore mining sector. To achieve this goal, Mali's mining code underwent significant adjustments, levelling the playing field for all stakeholders. Previously, the mining code offered varied incentives for different operations. Now, as Coulibaly notes, the revised code standardises regulations. Notable changes include increased government participation in mining activities, a revised tax regime, and mandates for 90% of the workforce to comprise local employees. Importantly, Coulibaly emphasises that these shifts reflect an international trend, with other West African nations embracing similar principles for promoting local content. Coulibaly encourages investors to explore opportunities in smelting, processing and refining enterprises, as extractives need to be refined before being exported. Additionally, he highlights the potential in training programs. As local workforce participation becomes mandatory, there's a growing demand for specific skills. These two areas, Coulibaly suggests, could provide interesting opportunities in the years ahead.
Jive into July, for the summer is upon us. No better time to stay in the comfort of your home and play some Age of Empires 2. But if you must stroll outside, we have some new podcast content to comfort you. This seventh episode of the podcast (darn they add up quickly) is dedicated to the campaings in Age of Empires. Of course the newest balance patch is also the highlight of the news section. We hope you enjoy! As usual a detailed overview of this episode can be found below. Welcome to the Podcast (0:00:26) Notable News (0:04:41) (0:05:34) new patch (hosts instantly get sidetracked) (0:09:06) bug fixes (0:11:59) general balance changes (0:20:42) Britons (0:22:31) Bulgarians (0:25:45) Burmese (0:28:00) Chinese (0:29:35) Hindustanis (0:32:15) Italians (0:33:25) Koreans (0:35:26) Magyars (0:37:15) Malay (0:39:16) Malians (0:39:55) Persians (0:41:55) Portuguese (0:43:08) Romans (0:44:25) Slavs (0:45:35) Turks (0:47:29) Vietnamese (0:52:30) New AoE2 Podcasts: Town Center & AM Podcast (0:57:30) Reddit Drama (1:01:40) MoA (1:05:09) not so notable news Talk of the Show (1:06:27) (1:08:03) William Wallace (1:14:24) Joan of Arc (1:19:17) Barbarossa (1:23:02) Saladin (1:25:00) Ghenghis Khan (1:28:56) El Cid (1:30:08) The Campaign Experience (as a kid) (1:40:40) The Campaign Experience (as an adult) (1:43:00) The New Campaigns (2:01:27) Return to Rome Campaigns (2:07:11) Closing Thoughts Civ of the Month (2:12:16) Goodbye (2:37:34) We hope you enjoy! Until next month or in the Discord! Sincerely, Cursed Mumm and Pennenbuisje You are very welcome to join the discussion on our Discord or give us your feedback about the podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kings-and-conquerors/message
Listen to the Sat. June 24, 2023 edition of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. The episode features our regular PANW report with dispatches on the reversal of a purported armed mutiny by the Wagner Group in the Russian Federation; Tunisian prosecutors have blocked the release of an opposition figure; people in Sierra Leone have participated in a national presidential elections; and Malians have voted on a draft constitution aimed at ending military rule. In the second hour we look back on the 60th anniversary of the Detroit Walk to Freedom where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his first I Have a Dream speech. Finally, we review various aspects of the history of African world music as part of our recognition of Black Music Month.
Facts & Spins for June 20, 2023 Top Stories: Antony Blinken meets with Chinese Pres. Xi Xinping in Beijing, Australia approves a landmark Indigenous rights referendum, Putin reveals a peace agreement allegedly signed with Ukraine last spring, Malians vote on a new constitution, More than 1.5M are reportedly dropped from Medicaid, Israeli helicopters fire missiles in a West Bank raid, Extreme heat kills over 170 in Northern India, Biden plans $600M in climate investments, A new study finds a small group of “supershedders” spread the most COVID, and a Titanic tourist vessel disappears. Sources: https://www.improvethenews.org/ Brief Listener Survey: https://www.improvethenews.org/pod
Sweet April showers do bring May flowers. And the devs of AoE2 shower us with a new gamechanging update patch! And the biggest one ever for AoE2:DE at that! Therefore we dedicate this month's episode to the changes being made this month. We talk about it in detail as our minds wander, contemplating new strategies that are sure to arise here on this altered battlefield. We are really grateful for all the support and following of the show. Keep letting us know what you think and share our show with your fellow AoE enthusiasts if you think they might like it. A detailed overview of this episode can be found below. Welcome to the Podcast (0:00:26) Notable News (0:02:52) (0:03:17) Xbox update (0:06:47) Return to Rome (0:09:55) NAC4 (0:28:51) Nations Cup 2023 (0:33:51) KOTD5 (0:36:17) Rage Forest (0:40:14) 'Rigged' Map Pool Voting (0:43:47) Not so notable news Talk of the Show (0:47:05) (0:48:54) small trees & idle vils (0:51:14) Eagles (0:52:42) Militia upgrades (0:54:46) Pikeman upgrade (0:57:42) Gambesons (new tech) (1:00:17) Elite steppe lancer (1:02:02) heavy scorpion (1:05:20) murder holes (1:06:55) sappers (1:09:22) Elephant archers (official patch changed this to (Elite) Elephant Archer train time decreased from 34 seconds ▶ 32 seconds and Elite Elephant Archer upgrade cost reduced from 1000 food and 800 gold ▶ 900 food and 500 gold... probably for the best 11) (1:12:14) Siege elephant upgrade (1:13:55) Genitours (1:15:20) Cannon Galleon (1:19:42) Aztecs (official patch added buff for Jaguar Warrior (Elite) pierce armor increased from 1 ▶ 2) (1:24:06) Bengalis (1:27:48) Berbers (1:28:52) Bohemians (1:30:20) Britons (1:32:16) Bulgarians (1:34:24) Burgundians (1:40:29) Burmese (1:41:30) Byzantines (1:44:46) Celts (official patch added buff to Woad Raider (Elite) HP increased from 65 (80) ▶ 70 (85) and Woad Raider (Elite) Attack increased from 10 (13) ▶ 11 (14) ) (1:46:00) Chinese (official patch reverted these changes, Penn is pleased) (1:53:38) Dravidians (official patch added a buff to Medical Corps cost reduced from 350 food and 250 gold ▶ 300 food and 200 gold and effect increased from 20 HP/minute ▶ 30 HP/minute) (1:55:03) Ethiopians (1:58:48) Franks (1:59:19) Goths (2:00:14) Gurjaras (2:03:03) Huns (2:04:06) Incas (2:08:47) Japanese (official patch added buff to (Elite) Samurai cost reduced from 60 food and 30 gold ▶ 50 food and 30 gold ) (2:10:35) Khmer (2:11:40) Koreans (2:12:21) Lithuanians (2:17:49) Malay (2:19:38) Malians & Persians (2:24:23) Poles (2:24:39) Portuguese (2:26:11) Saracens (2:27:13) Sicilians (official patch added buff to farm upgrade bonus increased from +100% ▶ +125% food per upgrade ) (2:30:42) Slavs (2:32:37) Spanish (2:37:04) Tatars (2:37:15) Turks (2:37:50) Teutons (2:38:36) Vietnamese (2:40:00) Vikings (here Penn has a brainfart: 'cheaper' infantry should be 'stronger' infantry) (2:45:42) Our thoughts on these changes Civ of the Month (2:57:28) Goodbye (3:20:19) We hope you enjoy! Until next month or in the Discord! Sincerely, Cursed Mumm and Pennenbuisje You are very welcome to join the discussion on our Discord or give us your feedback about the podcast! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kings-and-conquerors/message
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has warned that every day in Mali, civilians are being attacked by extremists who are forcing them from their homes and in some cases following them to displacement camps, to target them once again.This is what has happened recently to more than 3,700 Burkinabé refugees and Malians who fled N'Tillit village for Gao, the nearest city, located 120 kilometres away. With more on this alarming situation, here's UNHCR Representative in Mali, Mohamed Touré, who's been speaking to UN News' Daniel Johnson.
Host Bill Roggio is joined by two Long War Journal regulars, Caleb Weiss and Andrew Tobin, to give listeners an update on what's happening on the ground in Africa from the Sahel — including that more than 400 Malians have been slaughtered in under one month — to "elections" and Shabaab attacks in Somalia.
In this segment of By Any Means Necessary, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire to discuss French troops withdrawing from Mali and how the uprisings of Malians against overt French operations played into this decision, how despite the occupation of Mali beginning under the pretext of regional security and the threat of Islamist terrorists it has failed to deliver on any semblance of security, whether France will make good on this commitment to withdraw and what its aftermath will mean for Mali and West Africa.
Gerald Horne, professor of history at the University of Houston, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss Africa. France is withdrawing from Mali as the people of the African nation take to the streets in massive demonstrations and civil disobedience against French colonial rule. Also, the Burkina Faso coup leader was inaugurated as president.
In this episode of By Any Means Necessary, hosts Sean Blackmon and Jacquie Luqman are joined by Ted Rall, award-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist, and author of the graphic novel, "The Stringer," to discuss corporations working around their commitments to stop donating to politicians who were complicit in the attempt to overturn the election through lobbyists, the extreme corruption in the so-called democratic process that is often passed off as lobbying, and the willingness of corporations to advance the dangerous interests of these politicians in order to turn a profit.In the second segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire to discuss French troops withdrawing from Mali and how the uprisings of Malians against overt French operations played into this decision, how despite the occupation of Mali beginning under the pretext of regional security and the threat of Islamist terrorists it has failed to deliver on any semblance of security, whether France will make good on this commitment to withdraw and what its aftermath will mean for Mali and West Africa.In the third segment, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Leo Flores, Latin America Campaign Coordinator at CODEPINK to discuss the political prosecution of Venezuelan diplomat Alex Saab, who sits in a Miami prison cell over charges related to conducting business on behalf of Venezuela, the attempts to scandalize Saab over allegations that he served as a DEA agent, the successful CLAP food assistance program that Saab was working on when he was arrested, and wh programs like CLAP are necessary for Venezuela under the economic warfare waged by the US.Later in the show, Sean and Jacquie are joined by Devyn Springer, cultural worker, host of the Groundings Podcast, and digital outreach coordinator at the Walter Rodney Foundation to discuss the challenges faced by Black Cubans because of the US blockade on the country and the reality of the Black Cuban experience, how the Cuban government fosters popular education, history, and culture of Black Cubans instead of suppressing it like institutions in the US, and the history of Black Americans receiving medical education in Cuba and serving their underserved communities at home.
Listen to the Sat. Feb. 5, 2022 edition of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. The program features our regular PANW report with dispatches on the opening of the African Union 35th Ordinary Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Sudanese democratic organizations have rejected the framework put forward by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) related to efforts to mediate the current impasse with the military regime; Malians demonstrated in their thousands celebrating the departure of the French ambassador from Bamako; and Rwandan students are watching the Beijing Winter Olympics through a satellite service provided by the People's Republic of China. In the second hour we begin our annual commemoration of African American History Month founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926. We will take a closer look at the African Union summit being held in Addis Ababa and the issues on the agenda for the gathering. Finally, we hear a briefing from the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Director General Dr. John Nkengasong on the public health situation on the continent.
World leaders have converged on the Scottish city of Glasgow for COP26—the United Nations climate change conference. The stakes could not be higher. Sea levels are rising. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires are more frequent, more intense, and threatening the survival of humanity. In a brand-new episode of Intercross, we hear from our communications colleague in London, Sam Smith, who's been closely following this story for the past year, writing about the very real human impacts of climate change in a conflict zone. He starts in Somalia with ICRC's Abdikarim Abdullahi. Three decades of conflict have weakened the country's institutions and left some 2.9 million people internally displaced. Somalia is ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change when it comes to its ability to improve resilience. The recurrent nature of climatic shocks, such as droughts and floods, and the instability created by conflict, meaning herders and pastoralists—several of which share their stories—have little chance to recover and build resilience. Sam then turns to Mali. Since 2012, armed conflict has profoundly disrupted the lives of Malians, spreading from the north to central regions, causing death, displacement and economic failure. At the same time, Mali is becoming hotter and drier, while the Sahara Desert, which already makes up two thirds of the country, is expanding. He speaks with Dr. Catherine-Lune Grayson, ICRC's Policy Advisor and author of the recent report, When Rain turns to Dust, to learn why the countries affected by conflict are among those deemed to be the most vulnerable to climate change. They discuss what exactly about insecurity that undermines states ability to help their communities adapt to climate and the main commitments ICRC is hoping to come out of COP26.
Nestlé USA Inc v Doe (2021) is a United States Supreme Court decision regarding the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), which provides federal courts jurisdiction over claims brought by foreign nationals for violations of international law. Consolidated with Cargill Inc v Doe, the case concerned a class-action lawsuit against Nestlé USA and Cargill for aiding and abetting child slavery in Côte d'Ivoire by purchasing from cocoa producers that utilize child slave labor from Mali. The plaintiffs, who were former slave laborers in the cocoa farms, brought their claim in U.S. district court under the ATS, The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California dismissed the suit on the basis that corporations cannot be sued under the ATS, and that the plaintiffs failed to allege the elements of an aiding and abetting claim. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed, holding that corporations are liable for aiding and abetting slavery, in part because norms against slavery are "universal and absolute" and thus provide a basis for an ATS claim against a corporation; however, it did not address the argument by the defendant corporations that the complaint sought an extraterritorial application of the ATS, which the U.S. Supreme Court had recently rejected in Kiobel v Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. On remand, the district court again dismissed the claims, finding that the plaintiffs sought an impermissible extraterritorial application of the ATS. In the interim, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Jesner v Arab Bank, PLC, which held that foreign corporations cannot be sued under the ATS. The Ninth Circuit reversed, finding that the holding in Jesner does not disturb its prior holding as to the domestic defendants, Nestle USA, Inc., and Cargill, Inc., and that the specific domestic conduct alleged by the plaintiffs falls within the focus of the ATS and does not require extraterritorial application of that statute. Background. Six Malians, identified as John Doe I through VI, were trafficked into Côte d'Ivoire as children and enslaved on cocoa plantations. The children, aged 12-14, were kept in harsh living conditions at the plantations, and they were forced under threat of violence to cultivate cocoa for up to fourteen hours per day without pay. The children witnessed slaves who were caught trying to escape from the plantation being tortured by guards. Most of the cocoa that the slaves cultivated on Côte d'Ivoire plantations was sold to U.S. companies such as the Nestlé and Cargill corporations and imported to U.S. markets. Nestlé and Cargill encouraged the use of child slave labor on Côte d'Ivoire plantations by supporting farmers through capital investments in equipment, training, and cash advances. They also facilitated child slavery by lobbying "against legislation intended to make the use of child slavery transparent to the public" and mislead consumers on their actions in the region. The corporations also sent representatives to inspect plantations. In return, Nestlé and Cargill get cheaper cocoa imports, increasing their profit margins. History. The case was initially filed in 2005 but dismissed by the District Court for the Central District of California in 2010. The Ninth Circuit remanded this decision, stating that the plaintiffs had standing to sue under the Alien Tort Statute—but the case was again dismissed by the district court. In oral arguments, the Malians were represented by Paul L. Hoffman, while Nestlé and Cargill were represented by Neal Katyal. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Guest: Khalil Dewan, head of investigations at Stoke White Lawyers (London) After the bombing of a wedding celebration in the town of Bounti, Mali that left 19 civilians dead, a damning UN report contradicted claims by the French government that armed extremists were on site. To this, France has consistently refuted the accusation and has stuck to its narrative of targeting terrorists in the central Malian town and has so far ignored calls by Malians to hold its military personnel to account. Six months later, on July 3rd, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that he will be ending "Operation Barkhane" and withdraw troops from the region. But what he failed to announce, was the increase in the number of French drones that will be taking off from the Niamy, Niger airbase and continue drone operations with the sole purpose of continuing what troops on the ground had been doing since 2013. “France has a systematic problem in admitting and identifying civilian casualties. The mounting evidence on the Bounti wedding airstrikes still has not triggered any investigations on part of France or the Mali government – none have approached the victims to date”Khalil Dewan Armed drones are becoming an integral part of France's military operations abroad but nothing has transpired in terms of strategy, chain of command, usage policies and when/how a strike is ordered. The Bounti, Mali massacre and the impunity that has followed has prompted the CJL to cover the topic through Le Breakdown and Yasser Louati who received Khalil Dewan head of investigations at the London based Stoke White lawfirm, and author of the report: France's Shadow War in Mali: Airstrikes at the Bounti Wedding. In this episode, we covered the horrific bombing of civilians in Mali but also how the 20 year long US drone war and its thousands of civilian casualties has not deterred France from launching its own, and, to make things worse, without any transparency. Le Breakdown is brought to you the CJL, the Committee for Justice & Liberties. We are an independent human rights and civil liberties organization. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/lebreakdown/message
During lockdown, the Irish-Indian poet Nikita Gill created a poetic pandemic time capsule on social media. She shares how she rebuilt hope for herself and her followers, through a daily ritual of writing and sharing. For Malian singer-songwriter Fatoumata Diawara, music has a revitalising, redemptive power. She has overcome challenging personal circumstances and gone on to collaborate with international superstar musicians such as Damon Albarn, Paul McCartney and fellow Malians, Amadou and Mariam. Fatoumata tells Nawal how music has helped her survive - and how she hopes it can do the same for others. And, how will we refresh our wardrobes after a year of dressing down in lockdown? For The Cultural Frontline, US fashion editor Lindsay Peoples Wagner opens her post-pandemic fashion look book. Plus, has a song, a book or a film ever re-energised you and the way you see the world? The acclaimed Turkish author Elif Shafak reveals the work that recharged her creativity. Presenter: Nawal Al-Maghafi (Photo: Nikita Gill. Credit: Peace Ofure)
Aoe2 Episode 3 Notes: * I’ll be streaming aoe2 for 1 day on December 29th at 8am - 1pm EST: https://www.twitch.tv/lezer0_asap * Discord Link: https://discord.gg/8xeR5jStrP * Tatar Changes, balance updates: * Winter Festival Until January 1st: https://www.ageofempires.com/news/winter-festival-2020/ * Lords of the West Expansions January 26th: https://www.ageofempires.com/news/pre-order-lords-of-the-west/ * 2 New Civs (Sicilians, Burgundians) * 3 New Fully Voiced Campaigns * Our Aoe experience since the last time we spoke * RedBull Wololo Cup 3 Signups Open (January 16th - 24th): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ontjcGwUTvs&feature=youtu.be ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=ontjcGwUTvs ) * Hidden Cup 4 Qualifiers February 2021 T90Official Twitch * Main Event March 2021 * 2v2 World Cup Finals In-depth Recap: (Bo7 Grand Final) ($30,000+ tournament) Norway A(TheViper and MbL) vs China A (Mr_Yo and Lyx) - Game 1 Arabia: (Huns and Mayans vs Franks and Ehtiopians) - Game 2 Scandinavia: (Italians and Persians vs Mongols and Celts) - Game 3 Team Acropolis (Burmese and Indians vs Cumans and Berbers) - Game 4 Nomad (Spanish and Malians vs Lithuanians and Koreans) - Game 5 Valley (Saracens and Malay vs Magyars and Tatars) - Game 6 Chaos Pit (Teutons and Aztecs vs Slavs and Incas)
Over a million children in West Africa work on cocoa plantations-- and the problem has gotten worse in the past twenty years. Today on the podcast, Alexa talks about child labor and slavery in the chocolate supply chain, how it ended up in the Supreme Court, and what you can do to be a more conscious chocolate consumer. | Read more at https://novelhand.com/supreme-court-child-slavery-on-cocoa-plantations/ and https://novelhand.com/the-chocolate-case-review/
Welcome to Majority.FM's AM QUICKIE! Brought to you by justcoffee.coop TODAY'S HEADLINES: Donald Trump’s flunkies are getting more and more desperate in their attempts to overturn the election. It doesn’t help their case that Attorney General Bill Barr now says there’s no evidence of massive fraud, as Trump claims. Meanwhile, progressives are seething over some of Joe Biden’s staff picks. The latest name to draw fire from the left: Rahm Emanuel. And lastly, the Supreme Court hears arguments for holding American corporations responsible for child slavery in Africa. Your holiday sweets may taste more bitter after you hear this report, folks. THESE ARE THE STORIES YOU NEED TO KNOW: The world’s stupidest coup attempt continues. Donald Trump filed a lawsuit yesterday in Wisconsin seeking to disqualify more than two hundred and twenty one thousand ballots in two Democratic counties, the Associated Press reports. It’s a longshot attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s win there. Trump filed the day after Democratic Governor Tony Evers certified Biden as the winner. Trump asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take the case directly. He also wants it to order Evers to withdraw the certification, the AP reports. Could it work? Wisconsin’s high court is controlled four to three by conservatives, but conservative judges didn’t favor his lawsuits elsewhere. The Biden campaign called the lawsuit QUOTE completely baseless ENDQUOTE. So, typical. Trump is running out of time to undo the election. The Electoral College meets on December 14. Congress will count the votes on January 6. With that timetable in mind, Politico reports that Trump will soon be down to one final, desperate maneuver: pressing his allies on Capitol Hill to step in and derail Biden’s presidency. Federal law gives individual members of the House and Senate the power to challenge the results from the floor. Several House Republican lawmakers, including Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz, told Politico they’re considering this rarely used mechanism to aid Trump. An obscure 1887 law called the Electoral Count Act spells out the process. It also gives a tiny number of lawmakers enormous power to challenge the results, per Politico. If a single House member and a single senator join forces, they can object to entire slates of presidential electors. Still, for this to work, Politico says Trump would need a legal victory akin to a miracle. A court, perhaps the Supreme Court, would have to embrace the Trumpistas’ effort and scrap federal statutes giving governors the power to certify results. And that hypothetical court would need to ignore findings by Trump’s own Justice Department. Attorney General Bill Barr yesterday told the AP that to date QUOTE we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election ENDQUOTE. Sounds like Barr isn’t on board! Biden Picks Infuriate Progressives Joe Biden’s selection of Neera Tanden, a Hillary Clinton loyalist, to lead the Office of Management and Budget isn’t the only staffing decision he’s made that’s annoying progressives. The New York Times reports that lefties are looking askance at Biden’s likely pick for a Covid-19 czar: Jeffrey Zients [ZYE-ENTS]. Zients was the head of the Obama administration’s National Economic Council and is currently co-chairman of Biden’s transition team. A progressive advocacy grop called the Revolving Door Project has been urging Biden to keep corporate influence out of his administration, the Times reports, and has compiled a thirteen-page document about Zients. The file highlights his wealth, his appetite for deficit reduction and his recent work as chief executive of an investment fund called Cranemere. The group points to the majority stake that Cranemere took in NorthStar Anesthesia in 2018. It cites negative reviews that NorthStar Anesthesia received through the Better Business Bureau, including allegations of surprise billing and a threat to send a dental patient’s bill to a collection agency. Seems a little dodgy! Meanwhile, the Intercept reports that workers who helped elect Biden are outraged that he is considering former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel to lead the Department of Transportation. John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union of America, AFL- CIO, told the Intercept that an Emanuel appointment would be a nightmare – and a betrayal. He went on QUOTE We didn’t work our asses off [for Biden] to have Rahm Emanuel as the secretary of transportation... The truth of the matter is that Rahm Emanuel is the type of Democrat that got Trump elected to begin with ENDQUOTE. That about says it. Corporations Defend Child Slavery Chocolate lovers may want to sit down for this one. The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday about whether United States chocolate companies should be held responsible for child slavery on the African farms from which they buy most of their cocoa, the Washington Post reports. Six Africans are seeking damages from Nestlé USA and Cargill. They allege that as children they were trafficked out of Mali, forced to work long hours on Ivory Coast cocoa farms and kept at night in locked shacks. Their attorneys argue that the companies should have better monitored their cocoa suppliers in West Africa, where about two-thirds of the world’s cocoa is grown and child labor is widespread. According to a recent report sponsored by the US Department of Labor, the world’s chocolate companies depend on cocoa produced with the aid of one point six million West African child laborers. Most of those laborers were involved in tasks considered hazardous such as wielding machetes, carrying heavy loads or working with pesticides, per the Post. Court filings for the six Africans argue that these companies could end the system, but instead they chose profits over ending their exploitation of children. Nestlé USA and Cargill have asked the Supreme Court to toss the lawsuit, arguing that courts in the US are the wrong forum for the Malians’ complaint. They also claim that the applicable law permits such cases against individuals but not corporations. Is that what they call good corporate citizenship? Both sides faced skepticism from the justices yesterday, the Post reports. Here’s hoping the plaintiffs succeed and the corporations learn that society won’t tolerate child slavery. Because we’d really like to believe that’s the case. AND NOW FOR SOME QUICKER QUICKIES: Food banks across the country are bracing for a dwindling supply of food as federal aid nears its end, NBC News reports. The head of one South Florida food bank said shipments have plummeted from one hundred and sixty trailer loads of food per week at the start of the coronavirus pandemic down to fourteen – though demand has not let up. Consider making a donation, folks. An influential government advisory panel convened yesterday to decide who should be at the front of the line when the first coronavirus vaccine shots become available, the AP reports. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is reportedly prioritizing health care workers and nursing home patients, two groups comprising nearly twenty four million people. It will meet again later to decide who should be next in line, though state authorities and ultimately doctors get the final say. Former federal cybersecurity chief Christopher Krebs, who was fired last month for contradicting Donald Trump’s election-related conspiracy theories, suggested yesterday that he may pursue legal action against a Trump campaign attorney who said he should be shot, Politico reports. Trump lawyer Joe DiGenova said in a Monday interview on right-wing talk radio that Krebs should QUOTE be drawn and quartered. Taken out at dawn and shot ENDQUOTE. Sounds like someone needs a nap! CNN reports that the Justice Department is investigating a potential crime related to funneling money to the White House in exchange for a presidential pardon, according to a court record unsealed on Tuesday by the chief judge of the DC District Court. The news broke after it was reported that Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani had requested a pardon, and after Attorney General Bill Barr visited the White House. It all sounds too obvious to be real. That’s all for the AM Quickie. Join us this afternoon LIVE at noon on the Majority Report. DEC 2, 2020 - AM QUICKIE HOSTS - Sam Seder & Lucie Steiner WRITER - Corey Pein PRODUCER - Dorsey Shaw EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Brendan Finn
God's Bits of Wood is a 1960 novel by the Senegalese author Ousmane Sembène that concerns a railroad strike in colonial Senegal of the 1940s. It was written in French under the title Les bouts de bois de Dieu. The book deals with several ways that the Senegalese and Malians responded to colonialism. There are elements that tend toward accommodation, collaboration, or even idealization of the French colonials. At the same time the story details the strikers who work against the mistreatment of the Senegalese people. The novel was translated into English in 1962 and published by William Heinemann as God's Bits of Wood as part of their influential African Writers Series. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pbliving/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pbliving/support
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari approves community policing at a cost of 30 million dollars+++Malians scoff at ECOWAS sanctions after the coup+++UK turns to West Africa for food
A senior journalist from Dakar, Amandla Thomas Johnson has told Radio Islam that while the unprecedented political developments in Mali is a military coup, it can also be referred to as a populous coup with many Malians glad to see the back of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita
The US is to controversially initiate a process at the UN Security Council to reinstate international sanctions on Iran lifted under a 2015 nuclear deal. The US itself stopped complying with the accord two years ago, when President Donald Trump abandoned it. We hear from then White House National Security Adviser, John Bolton. Also on the programme: An ally of opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks of his own suspected poisoning; and two Malians give us their account of the state of their country following the removal of the president by the military. (Image: President Donald J. Trump holds up a presidential memorandum he just signed to pull out of Iran nuclear deal at the White House in Washington DC on 8 May 2018. Credit: EPA / Reynolds)
At least 11 people have been killed and more than 150 injured during protests in Mali’s capital Bamako, the government acknowledged on Facebook on Monday. The latest round of anti-government protests began on Friday, led by M5-RFP (July 5 Movement-Rally of Patriotic Forces), a coalition of opposition politicians, religious leaders and activists calling for civil disobedience. Related: Amid global protests, Jamaicans confront their own problems with police brutality But demonstrations have taken place on and off in the capital since June, with many calling for the resignation of President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta. Related: Libyans are caught between coronavirus and conflict“[Protesters are] against the background of general dissatisfaction related to the deterioration of the security situation in the country, and also the rough management of the health crisis." Nadia Adam, researcher, Institute for Security Studies, Bamako, Mali“They’re against the background of general dissatisfaction related to the deterioration of the security situation in the country, and also the rough management of the health crisis,” said Nadia Adam, a Bamako-based researcher at the Institute for Security Studies.Renowned Malian Afropop singer Salif Keïta also decried the suffering of Malians in a video posted on social media.Le Mali va mal. Notre peuple soufffre. Écoutez mon message, le Mali avant tout. @SalifKeita pic.twitter.com/FpmiTuFEKj— Salif Keita (@SalifKeita) July 9, 2020In recent years, Mali has experienced a combination of security challenges — namely, growing violence by armed militias and terrorist groups that has displaced more than a million people in the Sahel region and killed thousands, including Malian and foreign troops.While the Malian government, along with international and regional partners, has intensified counterterrorism campaigns in the Sahel, the problem has only become more complex, now threatening to spill over to other West African states.The continued violence has frustrated Malians, who have also been subject to human rights abuses by government forces. On June 10, Amnesty International said Mali’s military had unlawfully arrested and executed civilians during counterterrorism operations earlier this year.President Keïta called for an end to the days of civil unrest, which has seen protesters briefly occupy Mali’s state media building and damage other government buildings.The African Union, United Nations, and other bodies have also criticized police’s use of lethal force in the latest protests, which have also seen social media and messaging apps partially blocked according to Netblocks. Opposition leaders were reportedly arrested as well.In a televised statement over the weekend, President Keïta offered some new political concessions in a bid to quell the civil discontent.“I have decided to repeal the licenses of the remaining members of the constitutional courts,” he promised. The constitutional courts have been controversial since it tossed out provisional results of legislative elections that took place in March.“This decision will enable the organization of partial legislative elections in the districts where the results were invalidated by the constitutional courts,” explained Adam.The elections, which had low turnout, were strained by the coronavirus pandemic, continued militia attacks, and the abduction of Mali’s main opposition leader Soumaïla Cisse by a suspected al-Qaeda linked militia.The government also made other promises.Related: In Senegal, COVID-19 safety measures conflict with cultural traditions“The president has proposed a political agreement and the formation of a government of national unity,” Adam said.That might not be enough for demonstrators calling for President Keïta’s resignation. Adam said demonstrations continued on Monday, and she could hear gunshots from her home.Correction: The radio version of this story misstated the date when Amnesty accused Mali’s military of killing civilians. They released the report on June 10, not July 10.
Social History Part 2. In which we discuss the religious and commercial lives of Malians in the medieval era. From desert mystics to forest traders with packs of donkeys, the lives of the Malinke and other ethnicities under the Mansa were rich and fascinating.
In which we discuss the nature of kingship, the rituals of court and political life, and spend some time getting to know average Malians during the Medieval period. Slaves, blacksmiths and farmers - these are the everyday, normal people who lived in this vast empire. Reconstructing their lives is challenging, but important work. The lives of the elite are fascinating - and well documented - but they are by their nature the lives of the privileged few.
Simple English News Daily in 7 minutes.World news in easy, clear language, for English learners and people with English as a second language.Saturday 2nd May 2020. Transcript- Note: The transcript may not be complete, because of a lack of space. Also, it may contain errors, and does not include external audio. - US President Trump has claimed he has seen evidence that the coronavirus started in a Chinese laboratory. President Trump said that he believed that the virus began at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This is despite US intelligence agencies saying that COVID 19 was not manmade or genetically modified. The World Health Organization have dismissed President Trump’s claim. Dr Michael Ryan of the World Health Organization, said that scientists were sure that the virus has a natural origin…The American food and drug administration has approved the use of drug remdesivir to treat coronavirus. The FDA say that it is not a cure but may help in some cases.Canada has banned 1500 types of gun. This decision comes two weeks after Canada’s worst mass shooting, when 22 people were killed in Nova Scotia. Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Treadeau said that there is no use for these weapons in Canada…The government will buy back the illegal guns from people who already own them.The parliament of Bolivia say that presidential elections must take place within 90 days. There should have been elections on May 3rd, however they were delayed by the interim government because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Bolivian parliament is controlled by the socialist movement, of ex-president Evo Morales. After disputed elections last year, Morales has been in Argentina. AfricaMali has released the results of parliamentary elections. Ruling party Rally for Mali gained the most seats but did not win a majority. Only 23% of Malians voted, after threats of attacks from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State in the Sahara.In Nigeria, the president of the Humanist Association has been arrested. Mubarak Bala often criticizes religion. His friends are worried that he has been transported to Kano state, which practices Sharia Law. Sudan has criminalized Female Genital Mutilation. According to the UN, FGM has been performed on almost 9 out of 10 Sudanese women and girls. Removal of any part of female genitalia, will now be punishable by 3 years in prison. AsiaIn Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is expected to extended the state of emergency by a month. The Japanese island of Hokkaido reinstated lockdown after a quick rise in new infections. Japan’s confirmed COVID 19 cases are 14’000, however, testing rates in Japan are low. Japan’s economy is struggling, and unemployment is rising.In India all districts in the country will be classified as Red, Orange or Green to start a new phase of lockdown. In all areas, including the green zones, schools, cinemas, malls, gyms and restaurants remain closed. In orange zones there are further restrictions on public transport and and private vehicle use is limited. In red zones all public transport will not function and extra restrictions apply.Malaysia will allow most businesses to open on 4th May. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin spoke to Malaysians yesterday, telling them that the 6 week lockdown was successful in slowing the rate of infection.EuropeIn Ireland a meat factory is the centre of a coronavirus outbreak. The Rosderra meat plant in Tipperary closed after 120 workers tested positive for COVID 19.A Pakistani journalist has been found dead in Sweden. Sajid Hussain was granted political asylum in Sweden last year, after receiving death threats in Pakistan for reporting on human rights. Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. French President Emmanuel Mac
Japan and South Korea meet to smooth old hard feelings, Malians sign another peace accord to calm a violent north and China and the US talk about hacking and trade See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Our Scripture verse for today is Genesis 15:13-14 which reads: "And [God] said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance." Our History of Black Americans and the Black Church quote for today is from Lee June, a professor at Michigan State University and the author of the book, "Yet With A Steady Beat: The Black Church through a Psychological and Biblical Lens." He said, "Faith in the God of the Bible and an association with the institutional church have had overall positive influences on the African-American community and were key in the survival of the slave experience in America." In this podcast, we are using as our texts: From Slavery to Freedom, by John Hope Franklin, The Negro Church in America/The Black Church Since Frazier by E. Franklin Frazier and C. Eric Lincoln, and The Black Church In The U.S. by William A. Banks. However, our first topic today is some good work done for the "God In America" series titled "The Origins of the Black Church" which was aired by the Public Broadcasting Service. This is just a brief historical overview; we will delve into these topics in great detail in upcoming episodes The term "the black church" evolved from the phrase "the Negro church," the title of a pioneering sociological study of African American Protestant churches at the turn of the century by W.E.B. Du Bois. In its origins, the phrase was largely an academic category. Many African Americans did not think of themselves as belonging to "the Negro church," but rather described themselves according to denominational affiliations such as Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, and even "Saint" of the Sanctified tradition. African American Christians were never monolithic; they have always been diverse and their churches highly decentralized. Today "the black church" is widely understood to include the following seven major black Protestant denominations: the National Baptist Convention, the National Baptist Convention of America, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and the Church of God in Christ. New historical evidence documents the arrival of slaves in the English settlement in Jamestown, Va., in 1619. They came from kingdoms in present-day Angola and the coastal Congo. In the 1500s, the Portuguese conquered both kingdoms and carried Catholicism to West Africa. It is likely that the slaves who arrived in Jamestown had been baptized Catholic and had Christian names. For the next 200 years, the slave trade exported slaves from Angola, Ghana, Senegal and other parts of West Africa to America's South. Here they provided the hard manual labor that supported the South's biggest crops: cotton and tobacco. In the South, Anglican ministers sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, founded in England, made earnest attempts to teach Christianity by rote memorization; the approach had little appeal. Some white owners allowed the enslaved to worship in white churches, where they were segregated in the back of the building or in the balconies. Occasionally persons of African descent might hear a special sermon from white preachers, but these sermons tended to stress obedience and duty, and the message of the apostle Paul: "Slaves, obey your masters." Both Methodists and Baptists made active efforts to convert enslaved Africans to Christianity; the Methodists also licensed black men to preach. During the 1770s and 1780s, black ministers began to preach to their own people, drawing on the stories, people and events depicted in the Old and New Testaments. No story spoke more powerfully to slaves than the story of the Exodus, with its themes of bondage and liberation brought by a righteous and powerful God who would one day set them free. Remarkably, a few black preachers in the South succeeded in establishing independent black churches. In the 1780s, a slave named Andrew Bryan preached to a small group of slaves in Savannah, Ga. White citizens had Bryan arrested and whipped. Despite persecution and harassment, the church grew, and by 1790 it became the First African Baptist Church of Savannah. In time, a Second and a Third African Church were formed, also led by black pastors. In the North, blacks had more authority over their religious affairs. Many worshipped in established, predominantly white congregations, but by the late 18th century, blacks had begun to congregate in self-help and benevolent associations called African Societies. Functioning as quasi-religious organizations, these societies often gave rise to independent black churches. In 1787, for example, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones organized the Free African Society of Philadelphia, which later evolved into two congregations: the Bethel Church, the mother church of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) denomination, and St. Thomas Episcopal Church, which remained affiliated with a white Episcopal denomination. These churches continued to grow. Historian Mary Sawyer notes that by 1810, there were 15 African churches representing four denominations in 10 cities from South Carolina to Massachusetts. In black churches, women generally were not permitted to preach. One notable exception was Jarena Lee, who became an itinerant preacher, traveling thousands of miles and writing her own spiritual autobiography. We will continue this brief historical overview of the black church in our next podcast. _______ Our second topic for today is "The First West African States: Mali (Part 1)" from John Hope Franklin's book, From Slavery to Freedom. He writes: As Ghana began to decline, another kingdom in the west arose to supplant it and to exceed the heights that Ghana had reached. Mali, also called Melle, began as an organized kingdom about 1235, but the nucleus of its political organization dates back to the beginning of the seventh century. Until the eleventh century it was relatively insignificant and its mansas, or kings, had no prestige or influence. The credit for consolidating and strengthening the kingdom of Mali goes to the legendary figure Sundiata Keita. In 1240 he overran the Soso people and leveled the former capital of Ghana. It was a later successor, however, who carried the Malians to new heights. Variously called Gonga-Musa and Mansa-Musa, this remarkable member of the Keita dynasty ruled from 1312 to 1337. With an empire comprising much of what is now French-speaking Africa, he could devote his attention to encouraging the industry of his people and displaying the wealth of his kingdom. The people of Mali were predominantly agricultural, but a substantial number were engaged in various crafts and mining. The fabulously rich mines of Bure were now at their disposal and served to increase the royal coffers. We will continue looking at this topic in our next episode.
I am from the United States.Ne bora États Unis.Now, I live in Kadiolo Koko.Sisan, ne be Kadiolo Koko.I want to learn your language and your culture.Ne b'a fe ka aw ka kan ani aw ka ladalako kalan.I left here in the year 2000.Ne bora ya san ba fila.I really like Malians, so I decided to spend some time here.Mali mogow djiara ne ye, o koson ne ya mirri ka na watti ke ya.Break down:Ne bora États Unis.I came from USA (derived from french)('bo' to go out)('ra' puts the action in the past)Sisan, ne be Kadiolo Koko.Now, I am (city) (neighborhood)Ne b'a fe ka aw ka kan ani aw ka ladalako kalan.I would like to you-r language and your culture learn. (plural)('ka' shows posession)Ne bora yan san ba fila. ('yan' = here; 'yen' = there)I left here year 1000 2Mali mogow djiara ne ye, o koson ne Mali people please me to, that because I ya mirri ka na watti ke ya.(past) decided to come time do here.
81% of Malians under the age of five are anemic and approximately 50% of deaths can be attributed to malnutrition. In 2009, almost 73 million pounds of potential milled rice— enough to feed 580,000 people for a year—was lost due to the lack of proper storage and processing facilities. Malo Traders LLC’s social mission is to combat extreme poverty and malnutrition by increasing the income of smallholder farmers and providing fortified rice to consumers at an affordable price. We purchase rice paddy from smallholder farmers in Mali at a fair price. We then store the paddy using an environmentally friendly hermetic storage system before processing and fortifying the rice with micronutrients. The finished product is and sold to urban consumers and humanitarian relief agencies. We are initially targeting a market of $173 million with a penetration rate of 6.5% in Year 1. We forecast that we will reach a market share of 15% by Year 5. We are targeting two groups of customers. The first is the urban consumer looking for affordable, nutritious rice and the second is the humanitarian relief agency that administers school feeding programs, food-for-work programs, and intervenes in areas of distress. By establishing a socially responsible brand and adhering to the highest quality standards, Malo Traders has a unique advantage. Another clear distinction is our ability to produce fortified rice in a manner that is affordable and culturally adapted. Finally, the combination of our management team, superior technology, and commitment to making the well being of farmers and consumers an integral part of our business model sets the bar high for potential competitors to surpass. We expect to breakeven from an operational standpoint in Year 1 with a gross margin of 16.53% and from a dollar invested standpoint in the first quarter of Year 4. We forecast a cumulative net income of $5.86 million in Year 5 driven by a solid increase in sales and a net profit margin of 11%. This represents a return on equity on 46% for our shareholders. Based on our Social Impact Analysis, at the end of Year 3, the net purpose value of our intervention is $27 million and $144 million at the end of Year 10. In Year 1, we expect to generate approximately $1.5 million in extra revenue for farmers who sell us their paddy and $11.5 million in savings for customers who purchase our fortified rice. We expect to work with at least 1,467 farmers in Year 1 and produce enough milled rice to meet the daily needs of 250,000 people. By Year 5, we expect to work with at least 3,500 farmers and impact at least 600,000 consumers. The total initial investment required is just over $4 million. Our financing strategy is the following: a) $1 million in equity from patient capital investors with a seven year exit plan and a valuation of $3.3 million b) $1 million in grants from foundations, governments, and international organizations involved in poverty alleviation, rural development, food security, and malnutrition, and c) a matching loan of $2.5 million at current interest rates secured by the initial investment and guaranteed by assets, land, and buildings. Finally, we will need a working capital loan of $10 million at a 15% interest rate that will be guaranteed by fixed purchased agreements and inventory. However, our immediate objective is to raise $50,000 in order to conduct a holistic proof of concept study in the fall of 2011 prior to building our facility.