Podcasts about sub saharan africa

Greetings Glocal Citizens! This week Hélène Himmer, a French national with roots in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, now based in Portugal joins me in conversation about her current work at African Futures Lab (AfaLab) leading a project on climate reparations. I met Hélène last November at FORGE: Harnessing Creative Arts for Reparatory Justice, a convening of artists, media, cultural workers, civil society, and government leaders across Africa, Europe and the U.S. to further the movement for reparations. The event took place in Accra, Ghana and featured Glocal Citizens Esther Armah (https://glocalcitizens.fireside.fm/guests/esther-armah), Makmid Kamara (https://glocalcitizens.fireside.fm/guests/makmid-kamara), and Nyamal Tutdeal (https://glocalcitizens.fireside.fm/guests/nyamal-tutdeal) as facilitators. In addition to meeting so many dynamic diasporans I was introduced to organizations like AfaLab, an international non-profit organization supporting racial justice movements in Europe and Africa through conducting research and developing policy and legal strategies to empower civil society actors and public and private institutions in their fight for justice and reparations. Currently the Policy and Advocacy Officer at AfaLab, Hélène is a committed activist and professional with a diverse background in human rights law, corporate social responsibility and international development. Her activism began in her early teens with a youth organization focused on education, youth rights and inclusion. She then spent several years working for racial justice in France. Moving to the corporate sector, Hélène worked in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in start-ups and technology companies. However, her passion for social impact led her to international organizations where she specialized in advocacy, project management and partnerships. Her work has focused on climate justice, peacebuilding, anti-corruption, women's empowerment, youth cooperation and inclusive societies across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region. Where to find Hélène? AfaLab Policy Paper "Unlocking Climate Reparations: Key Obstacles in the Emergence of a Climate Reparations Framework" (https://www.afalab.org/news/2024-09-18-unlocking-climate-reparations-key-obstacles-in-the-emergence-of-a-climate-reparations-framework/) Listen in on AfaLab's Season 3 Podcast Future Perfect | futur antérieur on Climate Reparations (https://www.afalab.org/podcast-future-perfect-futur-anterieur/) On LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hélène-himmer-886037157/) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/african_futures_lab/) What's Hélène reading? REDD-Monitor (https://redd-monitor.org/) Other topics of interest: Brittany, France (linkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brittany) A bit about Guadeloupe (https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/2013/11/guadeloupe-african-descendants-in.html) Who is Dr. Farhana Sultana (https://farhanasultana.com/)? About the Loss and Damage Fund (https://www.undp.org/belarus/stories/loss-and-damage-fund-developing-countries) Center for International Environmental Law (https://www.ciel.org/) Special Guest: Hélène Himmer.

It's Thursday, May 15th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark 1,518 executions worldwide in 2024 A report from Amnesty International found there were 1,518 executions around the world last year. That's up 32 percent from 2023. Nations with the most documented executions include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq.  These numbers do not include executions in China, North Korea, and Vietnam. China is considered to be the world's leading executioner, with potentially thousands of executions last year. All of these countries are ranked on the Open Doors' World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.  British city council no longer bans street preachers A local government district in England has backed down from banning street preachers. Back in March, Rushmoor Borough Council sought to criminalize street preaching, praying for people, singing, or handing out Bibles. Local churches, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, opposed the plan. Thankfully, the council backed down.  Jamie Broadey, a local evangelist, said, “Since we found out about the injunction and asked for prayer, we have been contacted by Christians from across the UK. The issue is uniting preachers and Christians and we are prepared to challenge this as far as need be to prevent the Gospel being criminalized.” Acts 5:29 says, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.'” $1.2 trillion economic package with Qatar United States President Donald Trump is visiting countries in the Middle East this week. Yesterday, he signed an agreement with Qatar that would generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion. This includes an historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways worth $96 billion.  Trump budget insists on work requirements for Medicaid This week, Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives unveiled the “big, beautiful bill,” as the president calls it, to advance Trump's agenda.  The bill includes tax breaks, spending cuts, and border security.  Notably, the measure would cut $900 billion from Medicaid spending. It would also require many people to prove they are working, volunteering, or pursuing education to be eligible for Medicaid. Listen to comments by House Speaker Mike Johnson. JOHNSON: “We are protecting Medicaid for the people who need and deserve it. This program is an essential lifeline for our most vulnerable Americans: pregnant women, single mothers, low income seniors, the disabled. That's who Medicaid is intended to be for, and that's who we're protecting while we're eliminating fraud, waste and abuse to improve Medicaid. “These are reforms to restore and preserve the system so that it doesn't collapse on itself. That means ensuring illegal aliens don't get coverage meant for Americans in need. It means implementing work requirements to ensure that adults who can work, but refuse to, cannot keep cheating the system. We're going to continue to call this out.” Trump's bill defunds Planned Parenthood The “big, beautiful bill” from Republicans also paves the way for defunding Planned Parenthood. The legislation would bar federal funds from going to prohibited entities that perform abortions in many cases. The measure would also cut taxpayer funding for transgender surgeries for minors.  U.S. drug overdose deaths down Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined last year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 80,000 people died from overdoses in 2024. That's down 27 percent from 2023. It's the largest drop in overdose deaths on record. However, overdose deaths are still higher now than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Inflation down and egg prices down Annual inflation was lower than expected last month. The consumer price index rose 0.2 percent in April. That put the 12-month inflation rate at 2.3 percent. Inflation is now the lowest it's been since 2021. Notably, egg prices fell by over 12 percent. However, they're still up about 50 percent compared to a year ago. Worldwide Bible engagement update And finally, the American Bible Society released the second chapter of its State of the Bible USA 2025 report.  The chapter looks at Bible engagement around the world.  People are most actively engaged and committed to the Bible in areas that are majority Christian like Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa.  Interestingly, people are the most receptive to new ideas and other religions in Muslim-majority areas like North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.  The greatest indifference to the Bible is found in the secular west and certain majority-Christian areas like the U.S., Western Europe, Russia, and Eastern Europe.  Of countries in the secular West, the U.S. had the highest rates of Bible usage and church attendance.  Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the Earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, May 15th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

We talk to Michael Blessing Kamwana , founder of the Wealth Transfer Token (WTT) project, about his plans. See more about it here. Business Showcase : Wealth Transfer Token (WTT) What is your Elevator Pitch? "Turning Speculation into Empowerment" Introduction: A Movement Disguised as a Token In a world where meme coins dominate headlines and speculation fuels market frenzies, Wealth Transfer Token (WTT) stands out by doing something rare: making crypto meaningful. WTT is a blockchain-powered initiative with a bold mission - to bridge the global digital divide by delivering affordable internet access, financial education, and digital learning tools to underserved children around the world. While many tokens promise moonshots, WTT promises measurable change. Here, investors don't just chase gains - they change lives. The Vision We believe in a world where your ZIP code doesn't determine your future. Right now, millions of children with raw potential live disconnected from opportunity. They lack access to the internet, basic digital skills, and the kind of mentorship that transforms lives. Yet the tools to bridge that gap already exist. How are you different? WTT is the access. We're creating a token economy where the act of buying, staking, or holding a digital asset fuels: Internet infrastructure projects Financial literacy for kids Gamified learning platforms Mentorship networks Scholarships funded by token rewards The Problem: The Global Digital Divide * Over 2.7 billion people still lack internet access. * In Sub-Saharan Africa, only 1 in 5 children has access to a connected device. * Most underfunded schools don't have Wi-Fi, let alone modern edtech. * The result? Lost potential, broken dreams, and perpetuated poverty. Why will you do well? 1. Social Impact Investing Is Exploding Impact-focused investments hit $1.2 trillion in 2023. Investors are hungry for purpose. WTT gives them an on-chain way to see their money create measurable, lasting change. 2. Meme Coin Culture Meets Meaning Retail investors have shown they'll rally around hype - imagine when that hype is backed by humanity. WTT offers all the memetic energy of SHIB or PEPE, but with a mission that builds schools instead of just buzz. 3. Decentralization for Social Good WTT introduces *"DeSocFi"* - decentralized social finance. We connect blockchain tools with grassroots change. This isn't charity - it's community-powered economic transformation. And also, # 1. Blockchain for Education We leverage blockchain to create transparent, decentralized funding models that route resources directly to communities and schools in need. # 2. Crypto with a Conscience WTT behaves like a meme coin in terms of market appeal - but its utility is deeply humanitarian. As the token grows in value, its social footprint grows with it. # 3. Real-World Deliverables * Wi-Fi-enabled learning hubs in rural schools * Child-friendly digital wallets for savings and rewards * Interactive dApps with offline functionality * On-chain governance so token holders help decide project focus areas Where are you based? The CEO and Founder is based in Tralee, County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland where he's been living for the past 11 years. The other two team members originally from Zimbabwe are based in Johannesburg, South Africa . When was the Company Launched? The Token is yet to be launched, we are still in the presale phase so that we can be able to raise funds for marketing and liquidity for the token. What are your biggest wins to date? * Token development completed and audited * Strategic partnerships forming with African ISPs, NGOs, and edtech firms * Educational dApp prototype in development * Built core team across Ireland, South Africa. * Secured advisory input from blockchain, nonprofit, and finance experts. Who Are You Trying to Attract? *Crypto Speculators* - seeking a token that might moon, but won't disappear the next day *Impact Investors* - seeking ESG exposure with on-chain trans...

The World Federation of Pediatric Intensive & Critical Care Societies (WFPICCS), in collaboration with OPENPediatrics, recognizes World PICU Awareness Week 2025. This initiative aims to raise global awareness about the importance of PICUs and critical care wards worldwide, emphasizing how healthcare professionals in these units, regardless of resource setting, are driving change. From managing infectious diseases to overcoming infrastructure challenges, this episode explores the resilience and innovation in pediatric intensive care across Sub-Saharan Africa. Hear from frontline experts in Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Madagascar as they share their experiences in providing critical care amidst epidemics, conflicts, and climate change. Discover how dedicated healthcare professionals are transforming outcomes for children in some of the most challenging environments. HOST Hans-Joerg Lang, MD, PhD, FRCPCH NGO Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), Dakar Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Germany GUESTS Archippe Muhandule Birindwa, MD, PhD Medical Director at Cliniques Universitaires de Bukavu Head of Department of Pediatrics at Université Officielle de Bukavu Pediatrics Lecturer at Institut Supérieur de Technique Médicale Democratic Republic of the Congo Diavolana Koecher, MD Professor at the University of Mahajanga Madagascar Marah Issiatu, RN, SCM, MSN Senior Nurse Specialist at JMB-PCE hospital Nursing Officer at JMB-PCE hospital Sierra Leone DATE Initial publication date: May 9, 2025. TRANSCRIPTS English - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/9p2jw59n8ghrghgpk7m72g/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_English.pdf Spanish - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/nv25jghz5c99ckcnt9jb4gpr/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Spanish.pdf French - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/pm9j5jzbcz6v8jrghhsrp/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_French.pdf Portuguese - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/fj34b5cj9gjj6q3wgt3g7wrx/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Portuguese.pdf Italian - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/35vmps6w6kkcnvhwvzf32wmc/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Italian.pdf German - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/bnph8nvgg9k69j753f744jh/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_German.pdf Arabic - https://cdn.bfldr.com/D6LGWP8S/at/wrrm7hfnf43sngsj55bkf4/WPAW-25_Africa_Final_Arabic.pdf Please visit: www.openpediatrics.org OPENPediatrics™ is an interactive digital learning platform for healthcare clinicians sponsored by Boston Children's Hospital and in collaboration with the World Federation of Pediatric Intensive and Critical Care Societies. It is designed to promote the exchange of knowledge between healthcare providers around the world caring for critically ill children in all resource settings. The content includes internationally recognized experts teaching the full range of topics on the care of critically ill children. All content is peer-reviewed and open-access, thus at no expense to the user. For further information on how to enroll, please email: openpediatrics@childrens.harvard.edu

Join me for an illuminating discussion with Colonel Matt Kopp, a U.S. Army FAO. We explore Colonel Kopp's beginning as a 48B, focusing on pivotal partnerships in Latin America, particularly during the final phases of Colombia's Civil War. Colonel Kopp shares insights into his transition to a 48J, concentrating on Sub-Saharan Africa, and the critical need to understand and respond to the human and institutional complexities in these regions. The conversation includes discussions on his operational challenges, such as managing high-profile visits and interagency coordination, and the role of psychology and sociology in his duties. We also touch upon his work with the Army Foreign Area Officer Association, focusing on mentorship, fostering academic discourse, and preparing FAOs for influential second careers.   Books Discussed Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman https://a.co/d/fNUHTUn  Neither Devil Nor Child: How Western Attitudes Are Harming Africa, by Tom Young https://a.co/d/9yv70Z8  On the Psychology of Military Incompetence, by Norman F. Dixon https://a.co/d/4nkJNIt    00:00 Introduction and Disclaimers 00:42 Meet Colonel Matt Kopp 01:01 Career Choices and Transitions 02:22 Experiences in Sub-Saharan Africa 03:39 Challenges and Responsibilities at HRC 08:23 PhD Journey and Research 15:36 Transition to Africa FAO 23:02 Building Relationships and Team Dynamics 31:07 Insights on Leadership and Collaboration 43:46 Psychological Factors and Broader Perspectives 48:18 Understanding Heuristics in International Relations 50:28 Managing High Operational Tempo in Kenya 51:00 Military Operations and Planning in Diplomatic Missions 56:26 Lessons from Secret Service and VIP Visits 01:04:04 Transition to Army Service Component Commands 01:13:01 Experiences in Latin America and SOUTHCOM 01:26:32 The Role of the Army Foreign Area Officer Association 01:33:31 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Peter Selwyn, one of today's guests, has been caring for people living with HIV for over 40 years.  In that time, care of people with HIV has changed dramatically.  Initially, there was no treatment, then treatments with marginal efficacy, complex schedules, and a tremendous burden of side effects and drug-drug interactions.  The average age at death was in the 30s. Now, more people in the US die with HIV rather than from HIV.  Treatment regimens are simplified, and the anti-viral drugs are well tolerated.  People are living with HIV into advanced ages.  The average age at death is likely in the 60s.  Nearly half of people living with HIV are over age 55.  One in 10 people with newly diagnosed HIV is an older adult.  Our second guest, Meredith Greene, is a geriatrician and researcher who focuses on care of older adults living with HIV, in the US and Africa. On today's podcast we discuss: Implications of aging with HIV for clinical care Loneliness and social isolation among older adults living with HIV Persistence of stigma Need to consider HIV in the differential diagnosis for older adults Screening for HIV Screening for osteoporosis in people living with HIV Dementia and cognitive impairment risk in people living with HIV When to stop anti-virals near the end of life Toward the end we speak to the moment.  More older adults live with HIV in SubSaharan Africa and the global South than anywhere else in the world.  Funding for research and clinical care is at risk, as USAID and PEPFAR (which is under USAID), are shuttered.  Millions of lives are at stake.  Meredith wore a shirt that said Silence=death. Eric gave me the hook during my live cover of One, by U2, a song released in 1992 whose proceeds went entirely to AIDS research.  I couldn't help it, forgive me dear listeners, I had to do a longer than usual cut at the start! -Alex Smith   Useful links: Peter's article on the evolution of HIV: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11524-011-9552-y Peter's book Surviving the Fall: Personal Journey of an AIDS Doctor PEPFAR:  Global Health Policy | KFF   Articles: Geriatric Syndromes in Older HIV-Infected Adults - PMC Loneliness in Older Adults Living with HIV Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Advanced Age https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3684249/ About Act-up for those who might know the Silence=Death t-shirt reference: https://www.npr.org/2021/06/16/1007361916/act-up-a-history-of-aids-hiv-activism https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/14/how-act-up-changed-america

Creating isn't just about what you make…it's about who you become. We're back with the brilliant Nana Brew-Hammond for her second visit to Reframe to Create, and this time, it's a full-circle moment.  In Episode 21, Nana shared “How to Stay Committed to an Imperfect Creating Journey.”  And in this episode, we see how that commitment has blossomed.  Nana walks us through the very different experiences she had while writing her two latest books: ✨ Blue– a children's picture book that dives into the rich history of a single color ✨ My Parents' Marriage – an adult novel that explores the complex dynamics of family, love, and identity.   The process of creating each of these works taught Nana different things.  And in this conversation, she shares two key lessons she learned along the way.  Lessons about transformation, flexibility, and what it really means to grow alongside your work. Honestly? This conversation lit something in me. It reminded me that no matter how smooth or bumpy the road, the journey itself is doing something deep and lasting in us.  If you want to experience the joy and power of Nana's work, you can check out both books at nanabrewhammond.com.  You'll be glad you did.   About my guest: Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is an American-Ghanaian writer of novels, short stories and a poet.   In 2014 she was chosen as one of 39 of Sub-Saharan Africa's most promising writers under the age of 40, showcased in the Africa39 project.  Nana has been featured on MSNBC, NY1, SaharaTV, ARISE TV, and has been published in Ebony Magazine.   Her latest novel for adult readers, My Parents' Marriage, was featured in The New York Times Book Review's July 7, 2024 “...Also Out Now” column, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Booklist, and more.  The author Melissa Rivero called it “a propulsive read that will take hold of you with its honesty, determination, and heart,” while the author Vanessa Walters described it as “an arrestingly evovative story…which dismantles immigrant clichés. Her children's picture book BLUE: A history of the Color as Deep as the Sea and as Wide as the Sky, illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Daniel Minter, was named among the best of 2022 by NPR, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, The Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature, Bank Street College of Education, and more.  BLUE is on the 2023-2024 Texas Bluebonnet Master List; it has been honored with the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award® recognizing excellence in writing of non-fiction for children; and it is an NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literature for Chidlren.  It was named to the American Libary Association's 2023 Notable Children's Books and nominated for a 2025 Georgia Chidlren's Book Award.   Brew-Hammond also wrote the young adult novel Powder Necklace, which Publishers Weekly called “a winning debut”, and she edited RELATIONS: An Anthology of African and Diaspora Voices.  Kirkus Reviews called the anthology “smart, generous…a true gift” in its starred review.   Nana is also co-founder of Exit 14, a made in Ghana lifestyle line that has been featured in Vogue.     About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.   Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer  

Welcome to The Doers Nepal Roundtable Podcast, Nepal's No.1 Business Podcast!

Africa's space sector, while valued at US$22.64 billion in 2024, is still in its early stages—but scientists say it holds significant promise for addressing some of the continent's development issues.In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki explores how space research and innovation are being used across the continent.Mary Makuate, a researcher at Cameroon's Ministry of Scientific Research and Innovation, shares insights from her experience using satellite data to develop digital maps for the humanitarian response to the 2023 earthquake in Morocco.Susan Murabana, CEO of The Travelling Telescope Africa Ltd, talks about her efforts to bring astronomy to underserved Kenyan communities.Her mobile telescope initiative introduces students and local residents to space, aiming to spark interest in science and technology.And Daniel Okoh, a research scientist at Nigeria's National Space Research and Development Agency, says Africa must strengthen its own space capabilities.He tells us how global satellite models often underrepresent the continent, due to a lack of accurate local data, and calls for greater investment in homegrown technologies. --------------------------------------------This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio stationThis piece was produced by SciDev.Net's Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageAt this pivotal moment in Catholic history, the Church prepares for a conclave that differs dramatically from its predecessors. Following Pope Francis's passing, 133 cardinal electors from over 70 countries will gather in Rome to select the 267th successor to St. Peter – a process shrouded in tradition yet facing unprecedented modern challenges.What makes this conclave unique? Unlike previous papal elections where cardinals shared cultural backgrounds and regular interactions, today's globally diverse College of Cardinals features many electors who barely know each other. Pope Francis deliberately appointed cardinals from historically underrepresented regions like Haiti, Mongolia, and Rwanda, creating what David Kaiser calls "the wild card" of this conclave – unfamiliarity among the very men tasked with this monumental decision.George Weigel's book "The Next Pope" provides crucial context, positioning this election at a "critical breakpoint" in the Church's fifth epochal transition – the ongoing shift from Counter-Reformation Catholicism to the Church of the New Evangelization. The evidence is clear: where Catholicism boldly proclaims unchanging truths without cultural accommodation, it flourishes spectacularly. Look to sub-Saharan Africa, where despite centuries of Islamic dominance, Catholic communities now thrive with 236 million faithful – representing nearly 19% of global Catholicism.Key Points from the Episode:• 133 cardinal electors from over 70 countries will participate in the conclave, likely beginning May 6-7• Many cardinals do not know each other well due to unprecedented geographic diversity• Hollywood's portrayal of conclaves (like the recent film) misrepresents Church realities• The Catholic Church has undergone five major transitions throughout its 2000-year history• George Weigel identifies key qualities needed in the next pope in his book "The Next Pope"• Churches teaching the full truth of Revelation without cultural accommodation are thriving globally• Sub-Saharan Africa represents extraordinary Catholic growth with 236 million Catholics (19% of global Catholic population)• The next pope must emphasize the universal call to holiness for all baptized Christians• Both lay Catholics and clergy need better understanding of their baptismal responsibility to evangelizeLet us pray for these cardinal electors, that they may have wisdom in their next election of the successor to the apostle Peter, and as always, let's keep fighting the good fight.Join us in our next episode as we examine the potential papal candidates who might soon guide the Barque of Peter through these challenging waters of faith.Other resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!

Paul Hoffman is the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Basic Sciences. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, has conducted groundbreaking research in the “Snowball Earth” (global freezing) hypothesis and plate tectonics occurring in the first half of the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. After earning his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, Hoffman served the Geological Survey of his native Canada for 24 years followed by teaching at Harvard University and conducting related research in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has geologically demonstrated the occurrence of the postulated global freeze, so-called “Snowball Earth,” which drove the rapid diversification of animals in the Cambrian period approximately 520 million years ago. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 39991]

Paul Hoffman is the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Basic Sciences. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, has conducted groundbreaking research in the “Snowball Earth” (global freezing) hypothesis and plate tectonics occurring in the first half of the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. After earning his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, Hoffman served the Geological Survey of his native Canada for 24 years followed by teaching at Harvard University and conducting related research in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has geologically demonstrated the occurrence of the postulated global freeze, so-called “Snowball Earth,” which drove the rapid diversification of animals in the Cambrian period approximately 520 million years ago. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 39991]

Paul Hoffman is the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Basic Sciences. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, has conducted groundbreaking research in the “Snowball Earth” (global freezing) hypothesis and plate tectonics occurring in the first half of the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. After earning his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, Hoffman served the Geological Survey of his native Canada for 24 years followed by teaching at Harvard University and conducting related research in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has geologically demonstrated the occurrence of the postulated global freeze, so-called “Snowball Earth,” which drove the rapid diversification of animals in the Cambrian period approximately 520 million years ago. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 39991]

Paul Hoffman is the 2024 Kyoto Prize Laureate in Basic Sciences. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, has conducted groundbreaking research in the “Snowball Earth” (global freezing) hypothesis and plate tectonics occurring in the first half of the Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. After earning his doctorate from Johns Hopkins University, Hoffman served the Geological Survey of his native Canada for 24 years followed by teaching at Harvard University and conducting related research in Sub-Saharan Africa. He has geologically demonstrated the occurrence of the postulated global freeze, so-called “Snowball Earth,” which drove the rapid diversification of animals in the Cambrian period approximately 520 million years ago. Series: "Kyoto Prize Symposium" [Science] [Show ID: 39991]

On this episode of CMDA Matters, Dr. Greg Sund shares how faith and healthcare intersect in life-changing ways across Sub-Saharan Africa. Called by God to serve through global missions, Dr. Sund is working to improve anesthesia training and surgical safety in regions where resources are limited and lives hang in the balance. Through key partnerships and a dedicated team, Dr. Sund is transforming patient care and equipping future generations of healthcare professionals in rural hospitals. This inspiring conversation explores the intersection of faith, healthcare, and mission—and the extraordinary things that happen when God's people say “yes.”

For today's episode, host Josh Sidman is joined by Teun van Sambeek. Our conversation took place, and was recorded in, April of 2025.Mr. Van Sambeek is an IT professional and entrepreneur. After founding multiple companies, he decided to move to Africa to begin building affordable housing. This led to the founding of Bentoniq, a real estate development company that mass produces affordable housing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Teun is also the founder of the 1coinH system, an alternative monetary system. He received two master's: one in real estate development from the University of Amsterdam and the other in Construction Engineering Technologies from the Eindhoven University of Technology. Mr van Sambeek joined Economy 2.0 to discuss the security and privacy of blockchain technology; how alternative monetary systems can avoid inflation via money printing; and how his monetary system can replicate UBI without spiking inflation. To check out more of our content, including our research and policy tools, visit our website: https://www.hgsss.org/

CONSUMER INSIGHTS: Topic: Private label boom: why more South Africans are ditching name brands Guest: Kelly Mac Innes - Market Insights Lead for Sub Saharan Africa at NIQ.

Aubrey converses with Boniswa Sidwaba, Head of Content Operations, Sub-Saharan Africa at TikTok, about African content producers have monetised TikTok.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Marcel has a chat with Lenny of Irony Destroyed. A metalcore band hailing from Nairobi Kenya. Join in as they chat about the kenyan scene, the challenges they face as an extremely niche genre, as well as being so geographically isolated from the rest of the African metal community. Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there's something for every listener. Show your support and grab your favourite merch today!Support the showHelp us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast +Websitehttps://www.sludgeunderground.comMerchhttps://sludgeunderground.store/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/sludgeundergroundTikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeundergroundYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@sludgeundergroundTwitterhttps://twitter.com/Sludge031Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/SludgeUnderground

What does a change in U.S. presidential administrations have to do with stalled solar farms in Sub-Saharan Africa or wind projects in Southeast Asia? As it turns out, quite a lot. On this episode of Power Perspectives, we explore how U.S. policy shifts are sending ripples through the global financial system—impacting everything from renewable investments in developing countries to grid upgrades on Main Street USA. We're joined by Gautam Jain, Senior Research Scholar at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy and Adjunct Professor at SIPA, to dig into the high-stakes intersection of climate finance, currency risk, and energy geopolitics. Gautam walks us through why the international green finance system is under pressure as the U.S. government scales back funding commitments under the Trump administration. With global investors growing increasingly wary of geopolitical instability, what's next for the energy transition? And how should utility leaders, policymakers, and financial stakeholders respond? Note: The news in this space is moving fast, so to set context this conversation was recorded on April 4. Key Links: Energy Central Post with Episode Transcript: https://energycentral.com/o/energy-central/real-impacts-trump-20-energy-finance Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I2VqXraG2Ps Gautam Jain on Energy Central: https://energycentral.com/member/profile/gautam-jain Ask a Question to Our Future Guests: Do you have a burning question for the utility executives and energy industry thought leaders that we feature each week on Power Perspectives? Leave us a message here for your chance to be featured in an upcoming episode: www.speakpipe.com/EnergyCentralPodcast

On this episode, Jessica Carges chats with Karol Boudreaux on female land and resource rights in Sub-Saharan Africa and their impact on economic development. Karol discusses how even when property rights are granted, formal documentation and cultural backgrounds pose challenges to control over land use, and she shares the success story of Rwanda, how the state undertook a massive land documentation effort to improve formal property rights.Karol Boudreaux has a JD in International Law from the University of Virginia, and her work over the past two decades has focused on efforts to support improvements to land tenure and property rights for people around the world, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa. During her time at the Mercatus Center, she was the lead researcher for the Enterprise Africa project. She focuses on understanding links between property rights systems and development, as well as the evolution of property systems.If you like the show, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and tell others about the show! We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you get your podcasts.Virtual Sentiments, a podcast series from the Hayek Program, is streaming. Subscribe today and listen to season three, releasing now!Follow the Hayek Program on Twitter: @HayekProgramLearn more about Academic & Student ProgramsFollow the Mercatus Center on Twitter: @mercatusCC Music: Twisterium

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of the Abayudaya, Uganda's Jewish community, with Chief Rabbi Gershom Sizomu, the first native-born ordained rabbi in Sub-Saharan Africa. Rabbi Sizomu shares the history of his community, from its founding through persecution under Idi Amin's regime to its contemporary revival. Our conversation examines how the Abayudaya navigate their dual identity as both distinctly Jewish and distinctly Ugandan.Show Notes:Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda (https://folkways.si.edu/abayudaya-music-from-the-jewish-people-of-uganda/judaica-sacred-world/album/smithsonian) Send us a text

In this episode, Sydney Hunt ('23 cohort) and Ashley Yeh ('24 cohort) speak with Khushi Malde ('24 cohort) about her hopes for education to spark curiosity, build resilience, and empower students to innovate, create, and lead for global responsibility. Khushi shares how growing up and attending high school in Kenya and then pursuing an undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley made her realize the gap in opportunities that she had compared to her peers--and how doing work to bridge those gaps brings her joy. She talks about founding a nonprofit that brings entrepreneurship education to high school students across Sub-Saharan Africa and shares insights into her current work at Stanford, where she's building tools that help students explore potential career paths through hands-on, immersive learning.Highlights from the episode:(03:45) Khushi's journey from Kenya to UC Berkeley to Stanford and how it has influenced her work and academic path(07:18) The gaps that Khushi is working to bridge and the point when she realized the gap in opportunities that she had compared to her Berkeley peers(11:13) Why Khushi chose to pursue data science and business at Stanford(17:33) Elaborating more on her decision to pursue nonprofit work in Africa, the journey of starting and running her nonprofit, and the work that her nonprofit is doing(25:47) Khushi's plans and aspirations for the future as well as the project that she is currently working on at Stanford(33:09) What Knight-Hennessy Scholars has meant to her work and her experience at Stanford(37:43) Her experience at Immersion Weekend and why she considers it a highlight of her overall Knight-Hennessy Scholars experience(39:44) Advice for those applying to Knight-Hennessy Scholars(45:04) Improbable facts

It's Tuesday, April 8th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Horrific Muslim persecution of Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa The Gatestone Institute's International Policy Center has released its report on the persecution of Christians in Africa.   The report claims that the West is ignoring the carnage playing out in Sub-Sahara Africa, and that Muslim “Jihadists are murdering, raping, torturing, kidnapping, enslaving, and, in some instances, burning people alive — across Africa, and now in Syria.” The newly-installed Syrian government and the al-Qaeda-affiliated HTS terrorists, are still conducting door-to-door purges, massacring religious minorities in cruel, sadistic ways. Reliable reports indicate they have massacred 7,000 Christians and Alawites, a sect of Islam. And the death toll is still rising. Jihad is spreading in at least twelve African nations. Muslim jihadists beheaded 70 Christians in the Congo in February. Church leaders are targeted, abducted, tortured, and murdered. Christian villages have been burned down. Plus, pastors, priests and lay Christians have been abducted by the Islamist Allied Democratic Forces. More than 16.2 million Christians in Sub-Saharan Africa have been driven from their homes by jihadist violence and conflict. Women and girls are abducted, forced into "marriage," forced to convert to Islam, raped, and subjected to forced labor. Some are forced to act as suicide bombers or human shields at the hands of jihadis. Boko Haram and the Islamic State West African Province regularly attack, abduct, and murder Christians in Cameroon located in Central Africa. Churches have been set on fire and church leaders and seminary students kidnapped. Plus, the report claims that no Christian is safe in Burkina Faso, a country in West Africa.  Hundreds of churches there have been closed. The Muslim-run nation of Libya, in North Africa on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, countenances widespread slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. Sharia law is strictly upheld. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is a crime punishable by death. Any Libyan woman suspected of associating with Christians faces house arrest, sexual assault, forced marriage, or even death. Nigeria remains the worst example of Jihadist murder and mayhem. Tens of thousands of Christians have been murdered and thousands of women and girls have been abducted and subjected to sexual violence. But, do keep in mind what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18. He declared, “On this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” British Christian nurse in trouble for referring to confused man as man More outrageousness from the United Kingdom. A nurse has lost her job with the National Health Service because she was caught referring to a pedophile transgender person as a “Mister.” Nurse Jennifer Melle, age 40, was fired from her job in Carshalton, Surrey, after having to endure the patient hurling racial slurs at her. She added, “I am devastated to have been suspended. … Despite being the one placed at risk, I am the one being punished. The message I have received is clear: I am expected to tolerate racism, deny biological reality, and suppress my deeply-held Christian beliefs." Appearing on Free Speech Nation, she shared her Biblical convictions. MELLE: “I thank Jesus for giving me the courageous spirit, standing on the Word of God. According to the Word of God, Genesis 1:27 said, ‘God created a male and female.' I just stood by it. I said, ‘Well, I'm a Christian woman, and I love the Lord, and I know beyond male and female is an abomination to the Lord. And I can't do that.'” Represented by the Christian Legal Centre, Andrea Williams, its chief executive, criticized the National Health Service for allegedly focusing on trans ideology instead of protecting its staff from racial and physical abuse. U.S.-China tariff war heats up The tit-for-tat tariff war with China is heating up.   On Friday, China announced a 34% tariff on U.S. imports as an answer to President Trump's 34% reciprocal tariff. Yesterday, the U.S. president announced an additional tariff of 50% effective tomorrow, unless China backs down, reports CBS News. Aboard Air Force One on Sunday night, President Trump did not pull any punches. TRUMP: “When you look at the trade deficit that we have with certain countries, way over a billion [dollars] per country. With China, it's a trillion dollars. And we have to solve our trade deficit with China. We have a trillion dollar trade deficit with China. Hundreds of billions of dollars a year we lose with China. And unless we solve that problem, I'm not going to make a deal. “Now, I'm willing to deal with China, but they have to solve their surplus. We have a tremendous deficit problem with China. They have a surplus of at least a trillion dollars a year. And I want that solved. No other President has taken it on.” New Yorkers need “good moral character” before carrying handgun The U.S. Supreme Court let stand a New York law that requires residents to demonstrate “good moral character” before they are permitted to carry a handgun. The law requires applicants to have “the essential character, temperament and judgement necessary to be entrusted with a weapon and to use it only in a manner that does not endanger oneself or others.” Stocks, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq down U.S. stocks are down over the last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4,000 points, 11% down for the year.   And the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite was down by about 2,000 points, settling around 15,570 points on Monday evening. The Nasdaq is down 19% on the year, about where it was in November 2021.  Court awards 7,000 sexual abuse victims $4 billion in Los Angeles While the state-controlled foster care system is supposed to protect children, the unaccountable system, made up of sinful men and women, has become the predator. Last week, the courts awarded a record $4 billion against the Los Angeles County's juvenile detention and foster care system. The settlement was the largest of this kind, distributed to 7,000 plaintiffs — victims of unspeakable sexual abuse. L.A. officials have issued concerns that the fine might bankrupt the county.  The rise of America's “assassination culture” The Network of Contagion Research Institute and Rutgers University's Social Perception Lab have issued a report concerned with a rising “assassination culture” in the United States.  Especially troubling is the view that 31% of respondents stated it would be at least somewhat justifiable to murder Elon Musk.  And 38% said it would be at least somewhat justifiable to murder President Donald Trump. Among those who identify left of center, 48% to 55% would justify these assassinations. 22 million watched House of David finale And finally, the producers of the Amazon-released program, House of David, announced over the weekend, that the season finale had achieved #1 on Prime. WatchWonderProject took to Instagram with a message: “All glory to God!” Thus far, the program has brought in 22 million viewers. Of Amazon's new releases in 2025, House of David has taken the top position, holding its own in the top 10 for 38 days. Producer and writer for House of David, Jon Erwin, previously produced Christian films like October Baby, I Can Only Imagine, and American Underdog. The studio has announced a forthcoming Season 2. Let us not forget David's greater Son who reigns today, over all. Luke 1:32 declares, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, April 8th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ. Print stories British Prime Minister: Time to focus on Britain British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke yesterday, indicating an end to globalization, and a return to nation's focusing in on their own national interests, reports The Independent. He called the present times “a completely new world.”  Former Brazilian president thanked God for Trump's re-election Brazil's previous president Jair Bolsonaro addressed a peaceful protest of 40,000 in Sao Paulo over the weekend, thanking God publicly that Donald Trump was re-elected in the United States, reports Breitbart. Bolsonaro told the crowd, “I have nothing but gratitude for the two years we spent together in our respective presidencies.”

The last days before the Great Hunt.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.“Can the scorpion ever stop being a scorpion? “"Do we get our legally permitted weaponry back?" The bishop still held my hand."Sure. If it makes you feel better.""I would like to meet your people then," he gave my paw one last shake then released me. "Shall we go?""I will have someone take you to your car. I want to briefly meet with the President, of Havenstone, then I'll join you in the garage. We'll drive over to JIKIT and I'll make the introductions. Good enough?""That is acceptable," he nodded."What about you two?" I regarded the nun and the Swiss Super-soldier. The nun remained vigilant, and silent. The Swiss' eyes flickered to his boss before settling back on me."It is what I volunteered for," he stated firmly."Okay. Please never say I didn't give you a chance to take the sane way out. Also, Bishop Nicolö, circumstances have conspired to up my prospective wedding date to January 1st.""That will be more difficult. Why the change?" he remained grim."We are having twins. By March, this will be very visible.""That is, unfortunate," he shook his head."You have no idea," and then a brainstorm. "And I am curious about resurrecting the Order of the Dragon, the Societas Draconistarum." Technically that meant 'Society of the Dragonists' which was more appropriate than the literal Ordo Draconis."Precisely how do you plan to recreate a crusading Christian Order which was the purview of the Hungarian monarchs?" he didn't sound the least skeptical, just curious."I have billions of euros to fund such a thing," I winked. "Of far greater critical importance, I know where I can find the supernatural guidance and spiritual imperative for such an organization.""You are going to produce a dragon?" his eyes grew larger even as he fought down his fear. Good man. He was adaptive. He'd need to be."I never said such a thing. That would make me sound crazy," I smiled broadly. "Besides, when I say 'dragon', you think 'devil' and that's way too pedestrian for where we are going.""I am not a moral relativist.""Neither am I. I'm out to save lives and nurture the drive in the human spirit to reach for freedom, love and liberty. As you might imagine, I'm pretty freaking outnumbered.""I think you are crazy," he re-evaluated things."I just might be. In all honesty, you should back out now. Take your two compadres back to 25 East 39th Street (the Holy See's Permanent Observer Offices to the UN in NYC) and report 'Mission Failure'. You'll most likely live longer," I reasoned."I am not afraid to die," Sister Rafaela Sophia finally voiced an opinion."That's idiotic," I scoffed before the bishop could reprimand her for opening her mouth. "You should be.""My soul is in God's hands," she set her jaw."Does he talk to you?" I countered."His message is clear.""Not what I asked. I asked if he specifically directed you to toss your life fruitlessly away as an object lesson for the reckless, or careless?""This is uncalled for," Nicolö intervened."Nope. I bet you a phone call to my Brother to physically restore your bishopric that there are four people in this room who have murdered in cold blood," I kept eye contact with the nun, "and she's the odd one out. Right Juanita?""Yes, Ishara," Juanita slipped up. Her spycraft, like mine, needed work."You were in the military?" the bishop asked my bodyguard."Was? I am. Right now," she related. "I will be until I die."That earned me looks from the three Catholics."She is loyal," Nicolö nodded slightly toward her, referring to Juanita's declaration."Huh? To me? Nope. She's loyal to my office, which we shan't get into right now. Back to you, Sister Rafaela Sophia. Are you out to be a martyr, or has some saint, or angel, given you a directive the other two seem to be unaware of which causes you to devalue your life?""I am devoted to the One True God, Christ, our Savior," and Juanita snorted, "and the Virgin Mary," the nun stated firmly. "I don't hear voices in my head.""Juanita, that was rude. Apologize to our guest," I kept looking forward."No." Well, fuck you too."Gun," I commanded. I held out my left hand."What? No. I will not give you one of my guns," she resisted."Juanita, give me your primary weapon, or I will ask Pamela to beat you up the moment I depart for the Great Hunt. After yesterday's stunt, you know she will," I threatened. Fair, I was not. She drew a Glock-20 and handed it to me. I went through the routine, dropped the magazine then ejected the round before opening the door.Oh look, there were four SD chicks outside, ready to escort my visitors downstairs. I didn't even need to waste a phone call. It wasn't like the conference room wasn't being monitored."Excuse me," I took a half step out the door then hurled all three items down the hall. Looking back at Juanita. "Go fetch.""Fuck you," she snapped."And insulting her faith was as degrading to both her faith and her as me doing this to you is degrading to you right now," I lectured her. "It is important to her, therefore it is important to me because she is my guest in the same way it is important to me that I let my bodyguard do her job without being a total asshole all the time. Now go get your God-damn weapon," I barked. Off she went. I left the door open."Now Sister Rafaela Sophia, the point of all this is: I don't give a crap if you are willing to die for God. In fact, that makes you less than worthless to me and the team. I want to know if you are willing to put other motherfuckers in the ground so that Bishop Nicolá, or Mathias, might get to keep doing their jobs.""Murder is a sin," she declared."Go home," I sighed while shaking my head."She answers to me, the Church and God, not you, Mr. Nyilas," the bishop stepped forward."Then you can go home too," I shrugged. "I'm not asking for remorseless killers. I'm asking for people willing to kill to get the hard work done and best of all, for people who know the difference.""Everyone on JIKIT is a professional soldier, or killer?" he asked."No, but the ones who aren't don't carry guns and know to get down when things get funky," I bantered."I vouch for her," he insisted. Juanita came running back into the room."Cool beans. I don't know you either.""You apparently know my service history," he volleyed."Yeah. Ten years a foreigner in the service of France, then you went straight into a university which turns out Jesuits," I riposted."What turned your life around?" he evaded. That was okay. I'd gotten what I wanted. I was willing to bet he had read every bit of public information about me and it was rumored the heavy Catholic membership in the FBI had its benefits to the Church as well. Not so much as to give them insight into JIKIT, but,"Someone risked their life for me. It's been pretty much downhill from there," I confessed. It was the truth. After Katrina gave me the life line on Day Two, it had all spiraled to the revelation of my heritage, Dad's death, Summer Camp, the Hamptons, Romania and Aya's kidnapping."A person, a soldier, died saving my life," the bishop empathized. "Her story is similar. She seeks redemption. She is not suicidal. I am staking both our lives on it."Did he mean him and Mathias, or him and me? I wasn't certain. Still, it was good enough for now. I'd gotten a look at their emotional make up, even the relatively quiet Swiss."Very well," I agreed. "I have to go see the President about my new job description. I'll catch up with you at your car." To the SD team leader, "Take them to the garage. I will join the group of you very soon.""Yes Ishara," she nodded. I exited the room, Juanita in tow. Two SD entered. I was gone before the Papal team left. Upstairs we went, with one last chore to discharge. I had to check on Ms. French to be absolutely freaking sure it was Shawnee, because anyone else would spell disaster.{8:30 am, Monday, September 8th. Last day}A Room full of asistants:Well, there it was, the office of the Executive Director to the President, and not 'Executive Assistant', because this was Katrina's final 'fuck you, no, just her final 'fuck you' before the Great Hunt got underway. I shouldn't assume things, dang it!Anyway, according to the gray-haired matron running gatekeeper to the Office of the President, this was where I was supposed to show up. I shot Juanita a worried look. She glanced my way and shrugged, momentarily willing to not give me shit about the past 24 hours because where I was situated would determine how easily she could do her job.In we went. In the suite were three desks, the 'big' desk situated at the far end of the office space and two far more modest ones on either side of the entryway. The room expanded beyond the chokepoint formed by the two closest desks into a cluttered area. The walls were cluttered with inset bookshelves and portraits of women. Facing one another were a loveseat on my left with bookend plush chairs in an 'L' facing and a full sofa on the right. There were end tables at the ends of the sofa and the corners between the loveseat and each chair.As the door opened, I hadn't knock as this was my office, or so it seemed, the occupants, who had all been sitting in quiet conversation in the central section, began reacting. Oh look ~ Constanza! I nearly had a heart attack before I realized there were three other Amazons also in the room. Sadly, none were behind the 'big desk', so I couldn't tell who was in charge. Two of the other three choices weren't too much better. First off,"Ishara," Marilynn Saint John stood to greet me. I'd last seen her when I'd dedicated her grandmother's (Hayden's) spirit to the halls of my ancestors, not hers, after forcing the political crisis leading to Hayden's suicide ~ her taking herself to the cliffs and in doing so, destroying the Amazon Cult of Blood Purity. Marilynne was clearly still bitter with me. Umm, I could still incite passion in women I hadn't slept with, yet, woot?"Cáel," the senior-most and only friendly face in the room spoke next. Thank goodness it was Beyoncé Vincennes, Head of House Hanwasuit and House Ishara ally."Cáel Ishara," the third individual was deferential which I wasn't sure how to take as the last time I'd encountered her, yeah, things hadn't gone well either."Beyoncé," I started off with a smile. From there, I had to figure out, ah, Beyoncé's eyes flickered to Constanza then Sabia. I knew Marilynn, with her young age, had the least seniority, "Constanza, Sabia, Marilynn. How's tricks?"Glum faces by everyone except Beyoncé. I didn't ask about Sabia's particular well-being. It had been months since I'd beaten her into the mats of the Full-blooded gym. She'd attacked Yasmin, the Brazilian Hottie and my Brazilian Jujutsu sparring buddy, and I'd retaliated by ambushed her when she turned her back on us. Besides, she'd been giving me shit before I even could see straight.Constanza was minus her left eye because of her dire insult to me. If she wasn't capable of working, she wouldn't be here. If she appreciated my 'mercy' in sparing her life ~ her insult was worthy of her death ~ Constanza hid it well. I hadn't spared her expecting a change of heart. I hadn't felt words alone warranted anyone's death. I was a big boy and could take a few insults. House Ishara, as represented by me, could care less. These days, my sisters would be less understanding despite them knowing my heart."Constanza Landau of House Jaya and Marilynn Saint John of House Anahit are Assistants to President Shawnee French," Beyoncé eased things along, "so will be working closely with us, at least for the short term. Sabia Noel of House Guabancex, who I now think you know as well, has joined you as the other 'Assistant' to the 'Executive Director to the President', (that would make me an 'adept', but adept at what?), and since two of the three Regents are unfamiliar with the workings of Havenstone proper, Shawnee has asked me to perform in that role."Beyoncé was, or had been, Havenstone HQ's CFO (Chief Financial Officer). From what I was quickly piecing together, she would essentially be making all the day-to-day decisions concerning the running of Havenstone (how the Host made the majority of its money) until the Regents got up to speed.Only Buffy had actual experience with the New York office and, from what she had told me, solely within Executive Services. While ES knew 'who' did what inside Havenstone, they weren't aware precisely how those Amazons got their jobs done. That would have been an impossible task. Katrina could do it, but she knew it was beyond the ability of most of us 'mere mortals'. Since we were currently at war, the Host needed Katrina completely focused on her duties as Chief Spy-mistress, not baby-sitting the adults.Shawnee indeed had much gravitas among the other House Heads. Not only had she risen up to lead a First House, she had performed heroically during the final days of the last Secret War. Afterwards she had moved into the realm of Amazon jurisprudence and mediation. Until yesterday, she had lived in a House Arinniti freehold in Minnesota's Great Lakes region thus her desire for the 'Training Wheels' period.The Regency would not rule through telecommunication (the upper echelons feared being eavesdropped upon beyond the standard Amazon (read: paranoid) levels) and Havenstone: New York was the center best situated for the current war-fighting operations, so here she lived. I was sure a team from Executive Services was buying, outfitting/spy-proofing and fortifying a dwelling suitable for the President of a Fortune 500 company. Hayden's home would remain the domicile of Sydney thus Marilynn.The same rigmarole would be done for Rhada and Buffy (though I imaged Buffy would bitch endlessly). Publically, they were VP's of a company worth hundreds of billions of dollars and they had to present the public trappings of such leaders.Why did the Amazons do this ~ unmask their leadership to public exposure? Legal-simple: they could request and expect all levels of public and private security for their executives who happened to also be important officials of the Host. Certainly not all executives at Havenstone were officeholders, House Heads, or House Apprentices, but the high level of competence which permitted one often led to the other.Beyonce:As an example: Beyoncé wasn't the most 'bad-ass' lethal chick in House Hanwasuit. As she was preparing to be casted, her intelligence, creativity and diligence at her future craft, finances, was noted by the Host and the members of her House. In due time her name was circulated as Apprentice and the elders approved. When her elder cousin, the prior House Head, took herself to the cliffs, Beyoncé assumed the top spot. Beyoncé wasn't even one of that woman's three daughters.Mirroring her advancement in her House was her advancement in Havenstone's Accounting, Acquisitions and Banking Divisions until she was appointed CFO Havenstone HQ ~ the supreme financial authority inside Havenstone, though the individual regional branches had a greater degree of autonomy than you might normally expect from a 21st century conglomerate, or a Bronze Age autocracy.I had to constantly remind myself, despite the near-constant feuding, Amazons exhibited a phenomenally higher level of trust than I'd ever found in any other society I'd ever witnessed, or read about, before. Though technically Beyoncé could have gone to President Hayden to enforce her decisions ~ or now the Regency ~ she was far more diplomatic in her approach in dealing with the other 'continental' CEO's and CFO's.That meant she had to wrangle the aspirations and resources from:North America (including Latin America, the 'Canadian Arctic' and the North Pacific Ocean),South America (includes both the South Atlantic and South Pacific as far as Samoa),Europe (mostly Central Europe these days plus Antarctica, the 'Russian' Arctic and the North Atlantic),Africa (mostly West-central Africa),India (the subcontinent plus the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean) and,Southeast Asia (which includes Australia)All of which suggested Havenstone hadn't redrawn the Amazons' geographic demarcations since the late 19th century. As an example, an East African venture, say in Tanzania, was as likely to be under the purview of Havenstone: India (due to its control over the Indian Ocean) as Havenstone: Africa (which traditionally had no East Coast holdings due to their constant struggles versus the Arabic slave trade).Returning to Beyoncé: initially she had held the proper 'conservative' (aka man-hating) mindset. My behavior during that first Board Meeting began to change her opinion of me and the New Directive. After the Archery Range incident, Beyoncé became a vocal proponent of the New Directive and faced challenges within her ranks. House Heads do not have to accept challenges and Beyoncé didn't, reasoning with her detractors they had no alternatives save the 'Old Ways' which spelled doom for the Amazon Race.Bing-bang-boom ~ I became the Head of a resurrected House Ishara by the Will of the Ancestors and Beyoncé was vindicated. Not necessarily in the New Directive, but in her support of me thus the rebirth of a sister First House. The purge following High Priestess' Hayden's death was her ultimate absolution. The Ancestors and Destiny had spoken and shown Beyoncé had been piloting House Hanwasuit along the proper course all along.Back to my current circumstances:Oh, why was I Assistant to the Executive Director to the President? It gave me direct access to the finances of Havenstone which was a critical leg of the war-fighting stool ~ people, morale, money and equipment. As Chief Diplomat, I helped with all four of those in varying degrees, allied troops, allied victories, allied bank accounts and allied armaments.The Great Khan, my spiritual 'Blood-Brother', was ramping up his logistic support for my Amazons in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We were 'Allies in the Struggle' and he wasn't going to wait for the Condottieri to begin coordinating with the Seven Pillars to declare them to be his enemies. They were already fighting the Amazons and 9 Clans, his allies, so their fates were sealed.In Japan, my Amazons provided small yet highly effective strike groups which the Ninja families furnished all the support services for. Everything from food to bullets to medical attention as needed. Without reservation, we shared their death-grapple with the Seven Pillars.From the dispatches I was getting back from my family members and envoys in Japan, we were making serious diplomatic inroads with the Ninja. Once again, it was the Amazons shocking capacity for violence as well as their fanaticism, professionalism and proficiency which all impressed our hosts and terrified our enemies, and this from people of a philosophical mindset which had them historically battling samurai.The Black Lotus were running around like rhesus monkeys on crack cocaine unleashed in a China Shop and given RPG's. While the Amazons couldn't help them in China, Indochina & Thailand ~ the Khanate could and was. The Amazons were of more help in the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, where the Black Lotus and Amazons were going everywhere on the offensive against the Seven Pillars while the normal tight cohesion and iron-clad confidence, traits which made the 7P's so dangerous ~ were shaken by their horrendous losses in the 'Homeland' aka Mainland China.Less we forget, the 'military intelligence' wing of their organization had been decimated by the Khanate's Anthrax attack due to members of the Earth & Sky sacrificing themselves by being injected with the toxin then allowing themselves to be captured, which always ended in torture and death.Furthermore, the People's Republic of China, while having a scary 18% of the population either captured, imprisoned, dead, or displaced due to the Khanate invasion, that had come with the loss of 63% of their landmass (they had lost all of Nei Mongol, Ningxia & Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Regions, Qinghai and Gansu as well as 90% of Yunnan, 80% of Sichuan and 20% of Shaanxi provinces) to the Khanate and the 'abomination' that was a free Tibet.Then came the Russian 'stab in the back' which entailed the loss of another 10% of their people falling under foreign dominion as well as losing 8% of their most industrialized territory, Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces ~ the Nei Mongol portion of 'Manchuria' was in the Khanate's greedy clutches, from the viewpoint of a Seven P's warrior).Don't get me wrong, they weren't about to throw in the towel. If anything, they were becoming more dedicated to trying harder, digging deep into their knowledge of every atrocity, inhumanity and perversion now deemed necessary to re-chart history back onto its 'correct' path. It was this willingness to act in an even greater sociopathic manner which was being used against them. After all, the 7P's had plenty of proxy allies, who were starting to get really nervous about what their paymasters were now asking them to do,We Amazons were getting some extra special help too. The Booth-gan (Do not call them Thuggee ~ the confederate 9 Clan member based out of India though long since ensconced within various Hindi enclaves across the Globe) had created an all-female group of ultra-fanatical Kali-devotees ~ a gift for the upcoming battle fomented by the Will of the Goddess herself.While Aya was our Queen and the Regency would rule until she wished to assume command of the Amazon People, the nuts-and-bolts of the Host's activities were handled by Saint Marie as Golden Mare (our Minister of War) (technically she held the top spot due to our State of War, though no Golden Mare had ever exercised such authority over a Queen (and she definitely believed Aya was our Queen)), Katrina (as Minister of Intelligence and Security), Beyoncé (as Havenstone (the multinational corporation) ~ our Treasurer/Economic Tsarina) and me (our Foreign Minister).Saint Marie had decided to forgo a public face in order to better facilitate her moving around to various battle fronts and holding clandestine meetings with her junior regional commanders. Her Havenstone corporate title was 'Chief of Security Training and Certification'. As an extra level of deception, the head of Security Services wasn't even a Director-level position, instead being folded into the duties of the Office of the President.To my current circumstances ~ I had been given Constanza's house name which could only mean she wasn't currently assigned to the Security Detail; a fact that couldn't have made her bad attitude any better. Marilynn had completely lost her way as an Amazon when I first met her, burying her pain and confusion in endless partying and intoxicants. I believed only her grandmother's status as High Priestess kept her from the severest of reprimands, or death. I didn't even know what Marilynn's caste was. Sabia,"While I'm sure you are both far more qualified than I, precisely how did you two get these jobs?" I had to ask my two non-coworkers. Constanza glowered. Marilynn flinched."I have an in depth knowledge of Havenstone security procedures and resources," Constanza replied."Shawnee requested me," was Marilynn's comeback. "I also have intimate knowledge of the City of New York and its environs.""Actually, Buffy Ishara recommended you both to Shawnee," Beyoncé corrected their misconceptions. I knew the score. I'd be working intimately with the tight community around the President (Shawnee) and Vice Presidents (Buffy & Rhada). Buffy wanted me to be surrounded by women who hated my guts, so I wouldn't end up boinking them. It rarely worked that way. All too often ladies who hated my still-beating heart ended up punishing me with sex. I wasn't sure why that happened, but it did."Beyoncé, didn't the Chief Diplomat of the Host have her own office? I'm pretty sure Troika had one before her unfortunate collision with Saint Marie," I felt entitled to inquire."Do you feel you've earned that office space?" she riposted."Oh, fuck no!" I waved my hands one over the other to accentuate my denial. "I was just wondering where I could stick Juanita while I'm hanging around, here.""She has the desk right outside the door, Cáel," Beyoncé smiled knowingly. "So there is no way you can sneak past her.""Oh," I grunted. "Buffy again?""No. Pamela Pile put in that particular request.""Oh, Sweet Mother of God, now she is conspiring against me too?""Yes. Some of us realize the greatest hazard to your health is yourself, Ishara," Beyoncé chided me. "We'd like to keep you around, so we listen to those charged with that nigh impossible task.""Is she going to be hanging around the office often?" Constanza asked, either myself, Juanita, or Beyoncé; I wasn't sure. She = Pamela."Please, Constanza," I attempted to intervene, "don't make Pamela kill you. It will upset Mona." Constanza's scowl was accentuated by the eyepatch covering her ruined left socket, the one Pamela had carved out when Constanza had insulted me and House Ishara on our first day of rebirth. I didn't tell Juanita this, because Juanita might just shoot Constanza over the insult before Pamela got a chance to finish the job.The tension was palatable."Mona and I have talked, about Romania, and other things," Constanza grudgingly allowed. It took me a second to realize there was a hidden meaning to what she said. Mona was part of my personal Security Detail bodyguard unit. If she felt Constanza, the woman who had raised her after her birth-mother had died, was a threat to me, she'd feel duty-bound to snuff Constanza first. Amazons were hard-ass bitches alright and I think Mona had made that clear."I hope things can improve between us," I offered to Constanza. "Beyoncé, I just stopped in to say 'hey'. I'm off to JIKIT and I've got three of the Pope's people waiting on me in the garage so,""Vice President Varma requested a moment of your time," Beyoncé smirked. "She is in 2604.""Who?""Vice President Rhada Varma, a moment of your time, alone?" she clarified."Sure thing," I backed out of the office. Once I had some space, I turned to Juanita. "Give me three minutes then bust in and say, I don't know, a tsunami is about to overwhelm the city, or something. Otherwise, I won't get out for at least an hour and I think I've put the Bishop and his people through enough delays as it is.""Are you actually asking me to stop you from having an in-office liaison?" she studied me intently as we walked in the direction of Rhada's office."Yes. It's not likely to happen often, believe me.""Oh, I do, in that you won't ask me to do it often," she grumbled. I'd deal with Juanita's morale problem later. Right now, I had to gird my loins so they wouldn't do anything else with Rhada. I had work to do, damn it!Rhada was sitting at her desk, working on something, stylus raised up so she could chew on the end. Her hair was pulled back in a half-ponytail, the type that captured the rear half of the hair in a ponytail while leaving the front and bangs free to flow down. Rhada's blouse was white & billowy and, as I was soon to discover, her pants were ultra-tight and contour hugging."Mr. Nyilas," she greeted me. "I would like a moment of your time," she relayed what I already knew. She was more than a tad nervous to boot."Vice President Varma," I started off."When in private you may call me Rhada," she interrupted."Rhada, you look more ravishing than ever."That got up her and coming around her desk, which revealed her ultra-tight pants with no sign of her wearing underwear. Yikes! My cock was preparing to do what a cock was meant to do and I just didn't have the time, Really!"Do you have any time?" she let her bosom heave."Not today, ugh," I groaned. See, Rhada took the stylus and dragged it down her chin, throat and in between her bountiful mounds.All of which exposed the top of her black bra."Are you sure, Master?" she enticed me by turning around and then leaning over her desk, point that ass in my direction. My mouth began salivating and my groin ached. I found myself quick-stepping to her and giving those buttocks two firm slaps, one on each cheek."No, damn it, though I'm going to make you pay for this when I get back," I rumbled."Master will make me wait?" she taunted me."That will cost you even more," I growled. "I have business which simply won't wait and here is my captive teasing me with the treasures of her flesh. Bad, war captive," I spanked her yet again, hard. "Bad!" and I spanked her a fourth time. With each beating, Rhada gasped in pain and then exhaled in pleasure."If I've been bad, Master must be extra harsh with me when he returns in triumph from the Great Hunt," she gloated. Rhada had gotten what she wanted, which was another affirmation of my lust for her and our 'game'. I could provide her the release she so desperately craved while allowing her the safety of remaining in the Amazon fold. It was a perfect pairing, for her.I had other problems, such as all the other baby mamas in my life plus the extra-marital affairs I was contemplating. I still took the moments we had to snuggle with Rhada, her grinding that tush into my rod while I held both her arms tightly to her side while raining kisses down onto her neck and head."Sir! A giant tsunami is approaching the city!" Juanita exploded through the door."What?" I coughed. I had a face full of hair."Huh?" Rhada pushed up and away from me. I let her go."Right now," Juanita insisted. She really needed to stop taking me so seriously when I gave her such advice."Really?" from Rhada. She shot me a curious look so I shrugged. What else was I supposed to do with such a flimsy lie forcing our separation? At least I got out of there on time?{9:50 am, Monday, September 8th ~ Last day}(JKIT HQ)"Is this a common occurrence?" Sister Rafaela Sophia whispered to the closest woman, who happened to be Wiesława, the Polish Amazon. Since she hadn't arrived with us from Havenstone, the nun might have assumed she was with the 'Americans', or British."What?" Wiesława responded evenly."Weapons combat, they look real," the nun clarified."They are real. We always practice with real weapons.""Really?""Of course," Wiesława smiled at her. "We believe a few cuts and scrapes now will save lives when the true tests come.""Oh, you are with, Havenstone?" Rafaela clued in."Yes. I am Wiesława of House Živa. I am currently assigned to Unit L, Cáel's unit within JIKIT," she offered her hand to shake. Despite being a full-blooded Amazon from a freehold, her 'human' skills were progressing nicely. The nun shook it."I am Sister Rafaela Sophia of the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that is a Roman Catholic Religious Order." Pause. "Do you hate Catholics too?""Yes. We have lived beside your people for many centuries and found your clergy to be much more dangerous than your pagan predecessors. Still, Cáel thinks you can be relied on and he's proven we can trust outsider women, which I was raised to believe was unlikely, and outsider men, which was basically anathema, so I'm willing to set aside my prejudices and judge you as an individual," the Pole imparted."Outsider men?" Rafaela mumbled."Well, yes," Wiesława smirked. "You are a nun, right?""Yes.""So you set aside the World of Men to live mostly among women, right?""Not entirely," the nun chose her words carefully. "We still rely on priests for religious rights and of course obey the life teachings of Christ and follow the leadership of his Holiness, the Pope, a man.""No one is perfect," the Amazon bantered back."Do you know the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ?" Rafaela ventured into dangerous waters."Yes. He was the semi-historical Son of your supposed One True God. We are not monotheists. We are Polytheists. Živa is my House's matron Goddess. It is also the name of the first woman to lead the House, her birth name surrendered to Destiny so all the daughters who came afterwards would be equals.""Oh, is Mr. Nyilas also pagan?" she inquired."I am unsure. From what I have been told, he has commended the spirit of his fallen father to your Jesus in a sacred ceremony then, in the presence of your Trinity and the Goddess Ishara, brought in new members to his House. I suspect he may be both," Wiesława reasoned. "Why don't you ask him?""Because he's fighting for his life?" Rafaela looked my way.See, the entire time their discussion had been going on, I had been sparring in a spare room at JIKIT HQ with Estere Abed, the Hashashin assassin (rather redundant ~ like saying the Sahara Desert). I had two tomahawks while she had a scimitar and curved dagger. While we sparred using the furniture as obstacles, Agent-86 was briefing me on various World events to get my input.Addison Stuart (CIA) and Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke (MI-6) were having a chat with Bishop Nicolé de Santis, verifying for themselves he was worth adding to the team. Juanita was having a similar discussion with Rikki Martin (US State Department) concerning my earlier encounter with the Papal team. Nicolé's buddy, Wachtmeister Mathias Bosshart of the Swiss Guard, was getting acquainted with the other security personnel.In comparison, those two had it easy. Both men were in their elements. Nicolé was a spook who pretended to be a diplomat for the Pope and was well acquainted with terms like 'deniable assets', 'plausible deniability' and your direct superior referring to requests concerning your identity/diplomatic status by saying 'I never heard of him and if I had, I have no idea what he was doing when you caught him doing what I don't know what he was doing', or something like that.Mathias was in the company of military-security specialists, brother professionals who were introducing him to his 'sister' professionals. Our Homeland Security gang were almost entirely former military by now. They got along with our JSOC folks and both had gained a limited acceptance with the Amazon security contingent.They bonded over the fact they were forced to work with really shady characters ~ the 9 Clans menagerie ~ who didn't always appreciate JIKIT operational security. Without going into particulars, the Wachtmeister was given the impression the abnormal was the norm and if you didn't think there was a 'down-side' to being able to carry your personally favorite bang-bang (the SG 552-2P Commando in his case) with some serious attachments (read: grenade launcher) around in downtown Manhattan, you probably didn't belong on this team.Back in the room,"He's not fighting for his life," Estere laughed. "He is fighting for mine.""Right," I responded sarcastically. We went through a flurry of exchanges, ending up with me kicking a chair at her. Estere stepped over it, colliding with me.I blocked her dagger, disarmed her scimitar and,"You are dead," she panted down at me, smiling. I was on my back, her straddling me. She had a belt-knife to my throat. I hadn't see her draw it. The scimitar 'disarm' had been a distraction."Woot!" I exhaled."But you're dead," Sister Rafaela misunderstood my good humor."He survived a minute and thirty-four seconds more today than his previous record," Estere responded. She slithered off of me, doing my arousal no good whatsoever, then offered me a hand up."And that's better?""He's a rank amateur with a few months on the job. I've been training to kill people for nearly two decades," Estere smiled. "Care to have a go?""With him, or you?""Either," Estere offered."I don't have a knife, or any hand weapons," she stated."We'll need to remedy that," Wiesława stated. "You should at least carry a knife.""Really? Why?""It is a nearly universal tool," I verbally stepped up. "Even if you are disarmed, you should be able to find one relatively easily, people are less likely to miss a stolen knife than a purloined gun, and a concealed blade could come in handy.""Do you train in knife-work?" Rafaela eye-balled me."Absolutely. It is part of my culture," I grinned."Okay. Can we spar, hand-to-hand?""Sure," I nodded. I put my tomahawks in their harnesses then put my harnesses aside. Estere gave me a wink before giving us the fighting space."So," Rafaela began to circle, "are you Christian?""By your definition, or mine?""By the definition of the Catholic Church."Oh cool, she went for a Savate stance. This was going to get ugly.My "no," was followed by her kick and my block, lunge and grapple. She wasn't nearly as good as Felix. I had her down and in a choke hold within fifteen seconds.Perhaps she thought I'd take it easy on her. She tapped out. I released her, retreated and flowed back to my boxing stance. It took her a moment to realize this was 'practice', not 'an interview'. She hadn't failed in anyone's eyes. We were both doing this to get better."See, I really, truly believe I have talked to supernatural entities ~ some who are considered divinities," I continued. This time she was more careful, trading jabs and blocks with me. "They don't claim to be the One True God. I believe in such a thing, but I also believe having been given the Message, Humanity has been left to muddle things out for ourselves."Whoops, she popped me one."The Woman-Thing this morning?""Yep," I evaded another flurry. She got cocky and I landed three blows, dropping her to the ground. I didn't help her up. Instead, I withdrew and let her get back up on her own before deciding if she wanted to continue. She did."I believe I've seen dragons and ghosts. I have felt legions of my ancestors give me quiet encouragement when I needed it. I know the dead have been brought back to life," I came at her. This time we both went for body blows, knees, elbows and fists. She was not SD-caliber and she needed to be. I grappled and she was forced to tap out again. After she regained her feet, she held up a hand for a pause."Do you believe any of that?" she addressed Estere."I am an adherent of Ismaili Islam yet nothing Cáel has encountered is contrary to my belief system. The Universe is a complex place and the Divine Light is often seen through a fractured lenses," she counseled the nun."Among the escapees were lawyer Francisco Luemba, Catholic Priest Raul Tati, economist Belchior Lanso Tati and former policeman Benjamin Fuca who are serving jail sentences of between three and six years each for supposed links to the rebel group FLEC (Frente para a Libertaé'o do Enclave de Cabinda), which carried out the attack on the Togolese football team at the start of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, 2010," Agent-86 read off yet another bit of global minutia."We need to get to them," I half turned. Sister Rafaela punched me in the gut and I folded up."Oh!" she gasped. "I'm sorry.""Okay," I mumbled. I had to keep with the plan. "Those men. We need to contact our Coils people in Kinshasa and the Warden of the Mountain Ways ('she' was the Amazon Host's leader of Africa ~ in the ancient times, the mountain ways had been the routes of southern vulnerability for the Amazon tribe thus the name).""Okay," both Agent-86 and Estere answered."Why?" 86 added."The Coils and the Host have had a serious problem with no nation in Africa giving them even back room recognition so we are going to take over our own country, Cabinda. It's been struggling to be free of Angola since 1975 and, by latest estimates, we've got strike elements of over 2,000 Amazons ready and waiting next door in Cameroon, Gabon and the Republic of Congo.""So you are going to go to war with Angola?" Estere frowned. "Don't we have enough enemies?""Au contraire," I grinned wickedly. "The resistance movement is genuine," I ticked off my points, "they have tons of offshore oil, and after we set off some spectacular explosions in the two main Angolan ports which are just down the coast, we allow global panic to bully the UN into intervening before the Angolan military launch an effective counter-offensive ~ considering the Angolan Armed Forces (I'd been reading up on a ton of CIA & MI-6 briefings) will most likely involve attrition warfare since they can't beat us in a stand-up fight.""They, the Angolans, have no overland access, they are separated by 60 kilometers of territory belonging to the Democratic Republic of Congo over some sad ass roads Plus the Congo River itself which is freaking huge by the time it gets that close to the Atlantic, Cabinda rests on the Atlantic Ocean by the way. No bridges. The Angolan Navy is anemic. Let me think."I began pacing."Hmm, they have no paratroopers though they have some Special Forces, we will need to hit as many of them in the barracks as we can. Their last invasion was from the north, overland, from the Republic of the Congo, in 1975, not likely to happen this time, though I may have my 'Brother' weasel up a battalion of Indian paratroopers to act as convincing peacekeepers after the initial take over.""Perhaps we can recruit some Vietnamese. I'm sure they'll love fighting in someone else's jungle for a change. We'll need some of 'our' guys to seize the port of Soyo, it is on the wrong side of the river, but has the major refinery the Cabindans will need. Since the entire surrounding province are the same ethnic make-up as the Cabindans, we'll have to take that too.""Man-o-man, I bet by the time this is over they'll really wish they'd given little Cabinda independence back in 1975. As for their other refinery, it is in their capital, Luanda, a few big explosions there too will get the markets jittery. Check that ~ the complete and utter destruction of their major petroleum facility will create a stampede for Peace," I continued. I walked over as our resident computer intelligence genius worked his magic."Blowing things up, you mean killing people," the nun blanched."Yes. This is what I do," I spared her a sympathetic glance. "I've got a madman roaming around in my head who provides me truly epic military advice which normally, but not always, means blowing shit up and killing folks. Welcome to the team," then as the data appeared, "Holy Shit! Did they build their oil refinery in the midst of their ghetto?" I was staggered. The refinery in Soyo was isolated from the town so it could be easily (and safely) seized. It was the one in Luanda which was the 'Holy Shit' site."It looks that way," Agent-86 agreed nonplussed. "Hmm, yeah, here is the port facility then your neighborhood of shoddily constructed one- and two-story dwellings between the refinery and the inland storage tanks, the perimeter barrier appears to be a chain link fence. I'd hate to be their Chief of Security.""Oh yeah," I choked. Estere slipped around to get a look."Whoops," she snorted."What are these people thinking?" I continued. "The whole shebang is exposed to the northern quarter of the city. The storage tanks have residential dwellings on all four sides with numerous side streets. Two teams with RPGs and four rounds apiece, Holy Crap. Sorry Sister.""But I want to save lives," she sputtered."Limiting the collateral damage could be pretty tough," Estere frowned. She toggled throw a series of maps to multiple pictures."Oh, look (dripping sarcasm); they light up the refinery at night. You can sit off the coast in a speed boat under cover of darkness and attack from there," she noted."Damn. Those are a lot of lights," Agent-86 agreed."24-7 operation," I suspected."We will need some experts," the government agent nodded."Or we are going to kill a fuck-load of innocent people. Not just the workers, but can you imagine a fire spreading to those neighborhoods? Shit," I muttered."You can't seriously be contemplating doing something like this," the nun sputtered. "It is inhumane. Think of the families, the children.""Lady, yes I am. Do you have any idea what the Human Rights record of the Angolan Army in Cabinda is? It is truly horrific and in case you missed it, one of the guys in dire need of rescuing by me, due to him being a huge rebel leader who has managed to escape, is also a Catholic priest. He's going to be part of the new government we are going to install once we kill a few hundred Angolans ~ mostly soldiers (more like well over a thousand).""We are going to kill a few hundred so a few hundred thousand can live free, democratic lives without worrying about the local police and political establishment torturing and murdering them. It is all part of the plan.""I think I need to talk with the Bishop.""Hang on. Let me finish," I forestalled her. "He'll get briefed along with everyone else. After all, it is a majority Roman Catholic country as is Angola, so I'm sure your guy can be of immense help.""The people you are putting at risk don't deserve this," she protested."They never do," I nodded in agreement with her. "It rarely stops terrible crap from happening to them though."I felt sorry for the Sister. She thought the Bishop was going to put a stop to this. Poor girl; he was going to do the exact opposite. See, the two competing forces at play here were a communistic kleptocracy (currently ruling Angola) and Catholic liberation theology united with a Cabindan national identity dating back to 1885. At stake was 900,000 barrels a day of petroleum. That was a bunch of funding for somebody. Last I checked, the state run energy conglomerate had misplaced $32 billion, in just three years.Mind you, the Coils of the Serpent and the Amazon Host didn't want to help the People of Cabinda out of the goodness of their hearts either. They wanted cover for the importation of weapons and other war-fighting material so they could kill the Condottieri in Africa. If the rebel leaders-turned-legitimate government didn't play ball well, the Coils were in the 'assassinating people' business and somewhere along the line the survivors would figure out keeping 'us' happy kept them alive. Problem solved.It was Bishop Nicolé de Santis' job to facilitate that understanding. If certain people with Vatican credentials explained the 'facts of life' to the new regime a lot more lives could be saved, Catholic lives. In turn, he could work to make sure the new group in power wasn't nearly as corrupt as the gang we were tossing out. Better education and quality of life, improved infrastructure & security and a nice shiny cathedral, or two.We, as in JIKIT and our component members, didn't want to rule the country and dominate the people's lives. We needed the ports and the airfields with a blind eye turned to our skullduggery. Sure, there would be future considerations. Amazons and Coil members would be fighting and dying for these people's freedom ~ public recognition definitely not required. No; the Amazons wanted to be left alone in their deep jungle homes which was an isolation they basically already had. This was a future chit which said 'don't come looking'.The Coils? Let's just say in the future Cabinda would have embassies around the globe and if occasionally they wanted someone to slip through under diplomatic cover ~ they were good for it. And if the Cabindans ever needed help in the future they knew they had friends in dark places who were now invested in Cabinda's survival. It was a win-win-win, unless you were an Angolan big-wig, or one of their foot-soldier currently serving in Cabinda. Amazons weren't big on taking prisoners, or even giving the opposition the option of giving up.For me, it wasn't lunch yet and here I was plotting to overthrow yet another government in yet another country ~ though in only two, small provinces this time. Thank the Goddess I had the rest of the week

Small Cap Breaking News You Can't Miss! Here's a quick rundown of the latest updates from standout small-cap companies making big moves today:Radisson Mining (TSXV: RDS | OTCQB: RMRDF) Unlocks New Depth Potential in QuébecRadisson has struck high-grade gold in multiple drill holes 500 metres beneath the historic O'Brien Mine—marking the deepest intercepts ever recorded at the site. Key results include 29.93 g/t gold over 2.2 metres and 4.44 g/t over 6.4 metres. These discoveries confirm a vertically extensive gold system and support Radisson's goal of significantly expanding its resource base in Québec's prolific Abitibi region.Lavras Gold (TSXV: LGC | OTCQX: LGCFF) Hits 251m of Gold in BrazilLavras Gold's latest drill results at its LDS Project in southern Brazil include a standout intercept of 251 metres at 1.2 g/t gold, with subzones up to 4.6 g/t. The Fazenda do Posto discovery—adjacent to an existing 490,000-ounce resource—is showing strong continuity, scale, and potential for economic development. A metallurgical testing program is now underway to support a future economic study.NuRAN Wireless (CSE: NUR | OTCQB: NRRWF) Adds 20 Rural Network Sites in AfricaNuRAN deployed 20 new telecom sites in March, bringing its 2025 total to 40 and keeping pace with its target of 204 by June. Despite some logistics delays in the DRC, the company's Network-as-a-Service model is gaining traction across Sub-Saharan Africa—helping bridge the digital divide and pushing the company closer to EBITDA profitability.Delota Corp. (CSE: NIC | FSE: S62) Surpasses $40M Revenue and Posts 4th Profitable QuarterDelota, Ontario's largest specialty vape retailer, closed out the year with $40.2 million in revenue (+18% YoY) and $1.1 million in adjusted EBITDA. With 32 stores, a booming e-commerce platform, and over 280,000 registered customers, the company is executing on its growth strategy through retail expansion and M&A.Benton Resources (TSXV: BEX) Expands High-Grade Copper Zone at Great BurntBenton's newest drill results at its Great Burnt Project in Newfoundland include 21.7 metres of 4.14% copper, with subzones as high as 20.78% Cu. The deposit has now been extended by 100 metres down-plunge, and new copper-gold zones discovered to the north open up a promising new corridor for exploration. EM surveys suggest even more mineralization remains to be uncovered.For More Breaking Small Cap NewsSubscribe to the AGORACOM Podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/74mVPkfalaWXFYY65A2XLM Stay informed. Stay profitable. Follow AGORACOM for the stories that matter most to small-cap investors.

Greetings Glocal Citizens! On this first day of April, we are trying to fool you, but just slightly. Though herstories month has just ended, we have the treat of catching up with one of featured voices from last week's compilation episode. Returning with an update on Fourth Phase which was in the launch phase when last we caught up in 2020, is co-founder Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo. Nana is a dedicated social entrepreneur and humanitarian with a strong commitment to advocating for accessible healthcare for under-resourced women, children, and families. As the co-founder of Fourth Phase (https://www.fourthphasebox.com), she focuses on operations and our giving back program. She also founded non-profit, African Health Now (AHN), which is dedicated to providing vital health information and services across Sub-Saharan Africa. Prior moving into entrepreneurship, Nana had a successful background in media, having worked with prominent titles such as Honey, Suede, and Essence. And also held positions at the Clinton Global Initiative Foundation and New York Mission Society. Her philanthropic efforts have been recognized globally. In 2017, she received the prestigious title of Humanitarian of the Year from the National Council of Ghanaian Associations, recognizing her impactful contributions. She was acknowledged with a New York State Senate Proclamation acknowledging her commitment to health advocacy. She has also received the Andrew Heiskell Humanitarian Award by Time Inc. Catching up with Nana is an absolute delight, between learning all about the business of Fourth Phase to mompreneurship, I think you'll feel welcomed into a world of innovation in a serious health area with a touch of light-heartedness. In case you missed our previous conversations, links are below. Where to find Nana? On Glocal Citizens (https://glocalcitizens.fireside.fm/guests/nana-eyeson-akiwowo) On Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/neyeson/) Fourth Phase on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fourthphasebox) Healing After Birth Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/7omQUhHgJPC6o56eApAt1m?si=2d8aeab756fd4a9c) What's Nana watching? The Golden Girls (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Girls) The Cosby Show (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cosby_Show) Chicago Fire | PD | Med | Justice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(franchise)) What's Nana listening to? Beres Hammond (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcs0zn7OCj-wj0YNSl_Ai0Q) Other topics of interest: Fourth Trimester in Websters Dictionary (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth%20trimester) Dr. Edward Brown in practice (https://www.brownprosthodontics.com/drbrown) About Dr. Andrew Alexis (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-alexis-8641362/) and his new program Skin of Color Savvy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUmtHdxCfF0) Where to find Dr. Ama Alexis (https://hudsonallergy.com/doctors/dr-ama-alexis/) About the TOMS model (https://www.toms.com/en-us/impact) Special Guest: Nana Eyeson-Akiwowo.

In this compelling episode of The Samuele Tini Show, we welcome Bukonla Adebakin, a renowned expert dedicated to advancing the non-profit sector in Sub-Saharan Africa. Join us as we dive deep into Bukonla's journey, from leading impactful projects to authoring "The Profit of Purpose," a groundbreaking book designed to empower social entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders with essential financial management skills. Learn how mastering financial accounting, reporting, and fundraising can unlock sustainable growth, ensure transparency, and amplify impact. Practical, insightful, and inspiring—this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to making a meaningful difference through empowered financial literacy and strategic resource management.

Africa's oceans are vital for economic growth, supporting fisheries, tourism, and coastal livelihoods. But the costs of plastic pollution in our seas are mounting.The World Bank puts the cost of the damage caused by marine plastic pollution at up to US$33,000 per tonne of plastic waste, in West Africa alone. As pollution worsens, researchers say stronger policies, community engagement, and scientific collaboration can protect marine ecosystems in the region.In this episode of Africa Science Focus, reporter Michael Kaloki hears from researchers about the diverse ways to conserve the region's oceans and their ecosystemsDespite existing policies to protect Africa's oceans, implementation remains weak. Juliet Koudonu, a marine biologist at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, says there is lack of enforcement and stresses that policies alone won't drive change without government investment and accountability. For conservation efforts to succeed, policies must align with the needs of coastal communities, says marine social scientist Danai Tembo, a researcher in ocean governance at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa. She warns that laws failing to reflect local identities and livelihoods can backfire. Effective conservation requires scientists and local communities to work together. Shehu Akintola, professor of fisheries at the Lagos State University, Nigeria, believes it is important to integrate traditional knowledge with scientific research. The researchers say the continent can protect its marine resources for future generations by enforcing policies, empowering communities, and fostering scientific collaboration.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast was supported by the Science Granting Councils Initiative which aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of 18 public science funding agencies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Africa Science Focus is produced by SciDev.Net and distributed in association with your local radio station. Do you have any comments, questions or feedback about our podcast episodes? Let us know at podcast@scidev.net

By the mid Nineteenth century Europeans had conquered or explored all of the Americas, Asia and even remote Pacific outposts that we know today as Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti. But bizarrely one area remained largely unexplored and it was right on Europe's doorstep: Sub Saharan Africa.  As you might expect, explorers, missionaries and of course colonialists soon made their way down South. They encountered new languages, customs, ethnic groups and evidence of previously unknown (to Europeans) civilizations. But more surprisingly, they also encountered a group of people who identified as Jews. These were not converts to the religion but rather African people who claimed they were ethnically the descendants of Abraham, and perhaps even one of "The Lost Tribes of Israel." More remarkably, they also had an explanation for what had happened to the Ark of the covenant. It wasn't in Ethiopia, Israel,  or in a huge CIA operated warehouse full of crates. No, it was in their own backyard. British Scholar Tudor Parfitt who has specialized in studying Jewish history decided to investigate these seemingly outlandish claims. Had these people in Zimbabwe merely adopted a form of Judaism introduced by Christian missionaries? Was there any evidence aside from oral tradition to substantiate their claims? The results of his research stunned the world. In this episode I speak with Tudor Parfitt. Guest:  Tudor Parfitt Bio Music: Pixabay  

Today, we're venturing into a topic that many of us might not think about — parasite and worm infections. These unseen invaders can wreak havoc on your health, yet often go unnoticed for a long time. And, despite all the supplements and peptide therapies we might be using to optimize our health, we may still be missing something very important: a potential parasite or worm infection. In this episode, we'll explore the signs and symptoms of these infections, how you can acquire them, and why we should consider them even if we're doing everything "right" in terms of diet and wellness. Let's get into it! First things first—what are parasites and worms, and how are they different?. A parasite is any organism that lives on or inside another organism, known as a host, and benefits at the host's expense. Parasites can be microscopic or visible to the naked eye. Parasites can take many forms, including: Protozoa (single-celled organisms like Plasmodium that causes malaria) Helminths (worms like roundworms, tapeworms, and flatworms) Ectoparasites (organisms like fleas, lice, or ticks that live on the host's skin or surface). They usually don't infect other parts of your body. When people refer to worm infections, they are typically talking about helminth infections. Helminths are a specific type of parasite, and they are multicellular organisms that can be categorized into three main types: Roundworms (e.g., hookworms, pinworms, and threadworms) Tapeworms Flukes (flatworms) So, all worm infections are parasitic, but not all parasites are worms.   What are the symptoms of parasitic infections?   So, how can you tell if you have a parasite/protozoa or a worm infection? Let's talk about signs and symptoms. Signs of a parasite infection can be a bit tricky because they often mimic other illnesses or conditions. You might experience: Diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus) Stomach cramps or bloating Fatigue Unexplained weight loss Skin rashes or itching Nausea or vomiting Fever Visible worms in stools or around the anus Itchy anus (especially with pinworm infections) Coughing or chest pain (in the case of certain lung-dwelling worms) Parasites can also affect your mood and mental health, causing things like anxiety or brain fog due to the toxins they release in your body. While some worm infections can be obvious, others may linger for years without being detected, causing slow, gradual damage to the body. How do you get parasitic infections? So, how do we acquire these infections? There are several ways you can pick up a parasite or worm, and it often depends on where you live, what you eat, and what activities you engage in. Let's break it down: Traveling: Traveling to areas with poor sanitation increases the risk of contracting Giardia and Cryptosporidium, two protozoan parasites commonly found in contaminated water or food. These parasites can lead to traveler's diarrhea, causing symptoms like severe stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, and frequent watery diarrhea. In some cases, infections can lead to dehydration and fatigue, making it important to take precautions like drinking bottled water and avoiding undercooked food while traveling.   Eating undercooked meat or fish: Undercooked pork or fish can harbor parasitic larvae, such as Trichinella in pork and Anisakis (Anne-e-sakis) in fish. When consumed, these parasites can survive in the digestive system and begin to infect the body. For example, Trichinella can cause trichinosis, leading to symptoms like muscle pain and fever, while Anisakis can cause abdominal pain and nausea. Properly cooking these meats to safe temperatures can kill the parasites and prevent infection. Contaminated Soil: Certain parasites, like hookworms, can enter your body through small breaks or pores in the skin if you walk barefoot on contaminated soil. Areas where you are most likely to encounter hookworms in soil include Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America (especially Central and South America), Caribbean Islands, and Southern United States (especially in areas with poor sanitation). Insects: Mosquitoes and other insects can transmit diseases caused by parasites, such as Plasmodium, the parasite responsible for malaria. Similarly, ticks can carry parasites like Babesia (buh-bee-zee-ah), which causes babesiosis (buh-bee-zee-OH-sis) Close contact: Some parasites are spread through human-to-human contact, especially in crowded or unsanitary conditions (e.g., schools, daycares, campgrounds, public restrooms, and nursing homes). For example, pinworms can be contracted by anyone, though they are most often seen in children. They are highly contagious, and you can acquire them through contact with contaminated surfaces or even from sharing bedding. How are parasitic infections diagnosed? Healthcare providers look for the parasites themselves or signs of them, such as their eggs, in your body fluids or tissues. To check for parasites, your provider might take samples from different areas, including: Your stool  Blood Skin or any affected tissue Phlegm (sputum) Fluid around your brain and spinal cord (CNS fluid) In some cases, your provider might also use imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to help diagnose a parasitic infection, depending on what symptoms you're experiencing. Now, this all ties into a bigger picture. Many people are investing heavily in their health these days—through supplements, peptide therapies, and cutting-edge wellness routines. And while these are all beneficial, they can't always protect us from hidden invaders like parasites and worms. What's more, many of the symptoms of a parasite or worm infection can mimic other conditions, and because we often don't think about these infections, they can go undiagnosed for years.  If you're dealing with ongoing digestive issues, fatigue, skin problems, or even unexplained brain fog, it might be time to consider that a parasite or worm infection could be behind it—especially if you've recently traveled.   Thanks for listening to The Peptide Podcast. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe and leave a review. And as always, have a happy, healthy week. We're huge advocates of elevating your health game with nutrition, supplements, and vitamins. Whether it's a daily boost or targeted support, we trust and use Momentous products to supercharge our wellness journey.  Momentous only uses the highest-quality ingredients, and every single product is rigorously tested by independent third parties to ensure their products deliver on their promise to bring you the best supplements on the market.

S4EP10, Inspire A Legacy Of Faith Music And Resilience Pat Boone Join legendary musician, actor, and philanthropist Pat Boone as he shares his incredible seven-decade journey in entertainment. From selling nearly 50 million records to starring in Hollywood classics, Pat Boone remains an iconic figure in music and film. In this exclusive episode of Voices of Courage with Ken D Foster, Boone reflects on his remarkable career, his deep-rooted faith, and his lifelong commitment to philanthropy.

Join legendary musician, actor, and philanthropist Pat Boone as he shares his incredible seven-decade journey in entertainment. From selling nearly 50 million records to starring in Hollywood classics, Pat Boone remains an iconic figure in music and film. In this exclusive episode of Voices of Courage with Ken D Foster, Boone reflects on his remarkable career, his deep-rooted faith, and his lifelong commitment to philanthropy. 

The EAH team had the pleasure of speaking with Susana Moreira about H2Global's plans to transform how Europe buys green fuels.Susana Moreira is the Executive Director and Co-Chair of H2Global Stiftung. The H2Global Foundation is dedicated to fostering international cooperation and raising awareness about the H2Global mechanism and other market-based tools among governments worldwide to support their climate goals. It is also the body that has developed and now runs a unique double-sided auction mechanism, that aims to encourage global production of green fuels by providing long term certainty to project developers and allowing customers to purchase shorter term contracts, at prices that reflect market rates. In just three years, the H2Global instrument, implemented by Hintco, has mobilized over €5.86 billion from government sources to compensate for the price difference between supply and demand. To hear more about Susana, H2Global and how they are hoping to unlock some of the worlds largest eFuel projects, don't miss this week's episode!About Susana Moreira:Susana Moreira is Executive Director and Co-Chair of the Board at H2Global Stiftung. She has 15 years of experience working on energy and mining issues. During her 10+ years at the World Bank, she played a leading role in developing new projects in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Sub-Saharan Africa. She also led the “Climate-Smart Mining” initiative as well as the “Kickstart Hydrogen Knowledge Series”, and spearheaded various in-depth researchpublications on gases-for-transition, including green hydrogen, mining, and sustainability. Prior to joining the World Bank, she worked as a consultant on energy, political rights in Africa and public relations. She holds a PhD in International Studies, an MA in Pacific International Affairs, and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations. About H2Global Stiftung:H2Global supports the urgent need to create functioning markets for clean hydrogen and other low-emissions fuels by mobilizing public and private capital. The H2Global mechanism is designed to facilitate the ramp-up and use of clean hydrogen and other low-emissions fuels on an industrial scale, thereby actively contributing to the global energy transition and decarbonization efforts.--Links:Hintco Fact Sheethttps://cdn.sanity.io/files/u4w9plcz/production/8506bc6f24909ba96b6748f3fb0b28ab914607da.pdfH2Global - Idea, Instrument, and Intentions Policy Briefhttps://files.h2-global.de/H2Global-Stiftung-Policy-Brief-01_2022-EN.pdf

The West has not deterred Russia from destabilising Europe, the Caucasus, North and Sub Saharan Africa, or the Middle East. Moscow has undertaken war-like activity in NATO states since the 1990s: from assassination, subterfuge and sabotage to attacks on critical national infrastructure, political interference and industrial espionage. Russian expert Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House in London, explains what Russia wants, how the West misunderstands Russian societal desires, the Russian way of war, measures of success, and why economics and prosperity just aren't important to them. Keir finishes with a discussion on what it takes to deter Russia: this has been done before and could be done again. It just takes political will. Whether European leaders have that is a completely different question.

In this episode of Immigration Nerds, host Lauren Clarke sits down with Laura Collins, Director of the Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, to explore their 2025 policy recommendations on immigration reform. Collins presents a compelling economic case for modernizing America's immigration system, highlighting how immigration serves as a competitive advantage even when legal frameworks may fail to maximize its potential. The conversation delves into temporary worker visa programs, employment-based green cards, and the role of refugee resettlement in global security. Collins offers forward-thinking perspectives on how immigration can address America's demographic challenges, particularly as future workforce growth shifts to regions like Sub-Saharan Africa.INTERVIEW RECORD: Wednesday, 3/12/25 @ 11:30 aM ETShow Links:George W. Bush Institute | Policy Recommendation | January 13, 2025: Reforming Our Immigration System to Maximize America's PotentialGUEST: Laura Collins, Director, George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth InitiativeHOST: Lauren ClarkeNEWS NERD: Rob TaylorPRODUCER: Adam Belmar

Throughout this engaging conversation, Dr. Jill Carnahan and Jonathan Otto break down the complex mechanisms of Red Light Therapy, making it accessible and understandable for everyone. Whether you're new to the concept or looking to deepen your knowledge, this episode provides valuable insights into how biophotomodulation can be a game-changer for your health. Key Points ✅ Cellular Regeneration & Mitochondrial Health – Red light therapy enhances mitochondrial function by increasing ATP production, reducing oxidative stress, and improving cellular energy, leading to better overall tissue repair, anti-aging effects, and enhanced brain function.   ✅ Inflammation Reduction & Pain Relief – RLT has powerful anti-inflammatory effects, helping with chronic pain conditions, autoimmune disorders, and musculoskeletal recovery by modulating inflammatory cytokines and promoting faster healing.   ✅ Skin Rejuvenation & Hormonal Optimization – Red and near-infrared light penetrate the skin to boost collagen production, reduce wrinkles, improve circulation, and support hormonal balance, making it a powerful tool for both aesthetic and systemic health benefits.    Jonathan Otto Jonathan Otto is a multiple award-winning filmmaker, investigative medical journalist, and serial entrepreneur, reaching millions with life-saving solutions to cancer, autoimmune disease, dementia, and vaccine injuries through his company, Health Secret. He produced the hit series The Truth About Cancer and created Cancer Secrets, Autoimmune Secrets, and Cancer Secrets. His cutting-edge information and technology with his red light therapy company, Red Life, and revolutionary supplements with Well of Life continue to transform hundreds of thousands of lives. His humanitarian work is focused on famine relief and long-term sustainability in Subsaharan Africa. https://webinar.redlifedevices.com/rlt-pricing-3/  - USE CODE DRJILL for 10% off purchase 

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, and Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, today announced €2.2 million funding for research projects that seek to address the global issues of hunger and food insecurity. The Sustainable Development Goals Challenge is run in partnership with Irish Aid, and the six research projects receiving funding are focused on SDG 2: Zero Hunger. The research teams will develop a wide range of solutions that can contribute to ending hunger, achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. €2.2 million research funding for Zero Hunger The projects include: Empowering women farmers in Malawi to overcome the unique barriers they face and breakdown gender inequities in agriculture. Leveraging and strengthening digital health systems in Uganda to tackle hunger, food access and malnutrition in vulnerable populations. Ensuring that women from marginalized communities in Sub-Saharan Africa can access nutrient-rich meals, improving maternal-child health outcomes through Mobile health (mHealth) interventions. Integrating indigenous knowledge with climate-smart agricultural technologies to build resilience in smallholder farming practices in Malawi. Using AI to help farmers in Vietnam achieve high rice yields while preserving soil and saving water in the context of environmental and climate pressures. Developing solar-powered crop processing machines for climate-resilient grain crops to decrease postharvest loss and increase productivity for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe. Minister James Lawless said: "Today's funding announcement reinforces Ireland's commitment to implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. With over 700 million people continuing to face food insecurity and malnutrition globally, the research of these six teams can make a real and positive impact at an international level. As these projects progress through collaboration with researchers in Irish Aid partner countries, they will work directly with those most impacted by the challenges they are addressing, delivering tangible solutions to significant societal challenges. I wish the teams every success over the coming months." Minister Neale Richmond said: "Ireland is committed to creating a more equal and sustainable world. Investment in transforming global food systems is crucial to delivering on this commitment. Irish Aid's ongoing partnership with Research Ireland is an important driver of innovative and transformational change. With this Challenge focused on the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger, the projects funded today will help us combat chronic hunger, under-nutrition and gender inequality for food systems transformation." Celine Fitzgerald, Interim CEO, Research Ireland, said: "The SDG Challenge programme is an inspiring example of the power of international collaboration and strategic research funding. Challenge-based research funding encourages researchers to work directly with those most affected by the problems they seek to address and Research Ireland's collaboration with Irish Aid has enabled truly international research partnerships. Ireland has a whole-of-government approach to the implementation of the SDGs and the projects funded today are a leading example of this integrated commitment. I look forward to following the progress these teams make as they develop their research projects." The six projects represent international collaborations between research institutes in Ireland and in Irish Aid partner countries - in this case, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. The research teams funded today will have the opportunity to compete for an overall prize fund of €1 million for the most competitive team as part of this challenge-based funding programme. The SDG Challenge Programme is a partnership between Research Ireland and Irish Aid (Department of Foreign Affairs), whose purpos...

Allen Taylor, Managing Partner at Endeavor Catalyst, shares how Endeavor is fueling the rise of world-class startups in emerging markets—places often overlooked by traditional venture capital. Allen reveals how Endeavor identifies and supports high-potential founders before investing, why scaling talent is just as critical as scaling products, and how global ecosystems are evolving to produce unicorns from regions like Latin America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa. He also shares practical advice for founders operating outside established innovation hubs and highlights how Endeavor's unique investment model flips traditional venture capital on its head.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:00] How Allen's international career led him to Endeavor and a global mission to support entrepreneurs in overlooked markets[05:55] Why talent is everywhere—but opportunity isn't—and how Endeavor flips the script on where billion-dollar companies are built[09:50] The contrarian strategy that made Endeavor Catalyst one of the most successful global venture funds[15:31] What does it take to become an Endeavor startup? [25:48] The biggest challenges founders face outside major tech hubs—and why scaling talent is the hardest part of growth[29:04] Why Allen is bullish on Latin America, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa as the next breakout regions for global innovationThe non-profit organization Allen is passionate about: Kauffman FellowsAbout Allen TaylorAllen Taylor is the Managing Partner at Endeavor Catalyst, the venture capital fund supporting Endeavor's global community of high-impact entrepreneurs. With nearly 20 years at Endeavor, Allen has helped drive the organization's global expansion and innovative investment model, which backs companies across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond. Previously, Allen worked in international development and studied in Argentina, igniting his passion for supporting global entrepreneurship. Allen is also a Kauffman Fellow and serves on the board of the Kauffman Fellows Program.About Endeavor CatalystEndeavor Catalyst is the co-investment fund of Endeavor, the leading global community of high-impact entrepreneurs. Since 2012, Endeavor Catalyst has invested in over 300 companies across 30+ countries, backing founders who are building transformative businesses in emerging and underserved markets. With a rules-based model, Endeavor Catalyst automatically invests alongside professional VCs when Endeavor Entrepreneurs raise Series A, B, or C rounds. Its portfolio includes Latin America's first unicorn, Mercado Libre, and pioneering companies like Nubank and InstaDeep.Subscribe to our podcast and stay tuned for our next episode.

Many of us take turning on a light switch or connecting our devices to a home Wi-Fi network for granted. If our phones need charging, we plug them in, if we want hot water we boil a kettle. These are things we don't think about, because we don't have to. But around 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa still live without access to electricity. In this episode of The Development Podcast, we look at Mission 300, an ambitious plan from the World Bank Group and partners, which will link 300 million people to electricity by 2030. SpeakersAjay Banga, President, World Bank Group Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of Tanzania Victoria Kwakwa, Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, World Bank Group Andrew Herscowitz, the CEO of Mission 300 Accelerator, established by Rockefeller Catalytic Capital Hassanein Hiridjee, CEO, Axian Group Klaartje Schnade, Co-founder, Mwani Zanzibar Nora Anyidoho, Ghanian Poet Timestamps[00:00] Introducing the topic: Powering Development in Sub-Saharan Africa[03:33] Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit[06:28] The link between electrification and jobs: Visions of an entrepreneur in Zanzibar[10:50] Achieving the Mission 300 target[14:21] Partnerships are key to achieving the targets set by the Mission 300 plan[20:13] The private sector is a crucial part of the energy puzzle[28:12] Poem from Ghanaian poet, Nora AnyidohoABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PODCASTThis international development podcast brings together the data, research—and solutions—that can pave the way to a sustainable future. Through conversations focused on revealing the latest data, the best research, and cutting-edge solutions, let us introduce you to the folks working to make the world a better place. Listen and subscribe for free on your favorite platform. And rate our show! ;) Tell us what you think of our podcast here >>>. We would love to hear from you! ABOUT THE WORLD BANKThe World Bank is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

When the Trump administration slashed the budget and suspended most of the staff of the United States Agency for International Development last month, their representatives said the agency was using taxpayer dollars to fund a radical, “woke” agenda around the world. Criticism coming from the Left since the founding of USAID in 1961 has characterized USAID as an arm of American imperialism. The reality, of course, is much more complicated. It's heartbreaking to hear stories of children suddenly unable to attend school and receive essential vaccinations. But beyond the shockwaves of a sudden halt in the flow of assistance, there's a lot about US foreign aid that's up for debate. Questions like what does it accomplish? Does it really help? How does it help? Should it continue? Or, should foreign aid be scaled down over time? Our host, Jamil Simon, has seen USAID projects succeed, and fall short – having worked for more than three decades as a USAID contractor, developing communication strategies to promote reform in more than 20 countries.Our guest, Gregory Warner is a Peabody Award - winning journalist who has reported on USAID on the ground in places including Sub-Saharan Africa, Ukraine and Afghanistan. He was the creator and host of NPR's international podcast Rough Translation. Before that, he was an international correspondent for NPR, based in East Africa. Warner has reported on USAID on the ground in Africa, as well as in Ukraine and Afghanistan. He writes the Substack blog Rough Transition.MORE FROM GREGORY WARNERSubscribe to get Rough Transition in your inbox. Read Warner's recent reporting about the gutting of USAID and what it says about the perception of America in the world. Listen to the Rough Translation episode about a woman who lied so she could receive aid designated for sexual violence survivors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Explore the Rough Translation podcast archive. CONNECT WITH USDo you have a story of your own about USAID? Keep the conversation going on LinkedIn, or drop us a line at info@makingpeacevisible.org.Music in this episode is by Xylo-Ziko, Blue Dot Sessions, Gavin Luke, Feras Charestan, and Caro Luna.  ABOUT THE SHOW The Making Peace Visible podcast is hosted by Jamil Simon and produced by Andrea Muraskin. Our associate producer is Faith McClure. Learn more at makingpeacevisible.orgSupport our work Connect on social:Instagram @makingpeacevisibleLinkedIn @makingpeacevisibleX (formerly Twitter) @makingpeaceviz We want to learn more about our listeners. Take this 3-minute survey to help us improve the show!

On this inspiring episode of Cheat Codes, Dr. Z and Dr. C talk with an extraordinary group of individuals who embarked on a monumental climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for sickle cell disease. Led by Dr. Alan Anderson and featuring sickle cell warrior Jimi Olaghere the group of Patrick Hines, MD, PhD, Eva Gallagher, PhD, and Audra Boscoe, PhD shares personal stories of perseverance, determination, and the powerful symbolism of their climb. They discuss the challenges they faced, both mental and physical, and the life-changing impact of their journey. With over $2 million raised, the episode concludes with a hopeful message for the future of sickle cell diagnosis and treatment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Audra Boscoe and Eva Gallagher are employees of Agios Pharmaceuticals. SHOW DESCRIPTION Cheat Codes is intended for patients, caregivers, providers, and the greater community of people who are impacted by Sickle Cell Disease.  Each episode, Cheat Codes strives to provide listeners with critical education, the latest scientific updates, and voices from the Sickle Cell community.   Join an inclusive community and build connections with other hemolytic anemia allies by following @AllyVoicesRising on Instagram. TRANSPARENCY STATEMENT  Cheat Codes: A Sickle Cell Podcast is made possible by Agios Pharmaceuticals Inc. Visit Agios.com to learn more. The following Agios-supported programs are intended for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional before making any treatment decisions. Hosts and guests featured in this episode have been compensated for their time.  

In this episode of Our Womanity Dr. Rachel Pope sits down with Dr. Lily Gutnik, a breast surgeon and global health advocate dedicated to advancing equitable healthcare for women.Dr. Gutnik's journey is deeply rooted in her experience as a first-generation immigrant. After her parents fled religious persecution in the former USSR, she grew up in the United States, where she developed a profound appreciation for education and hard work. Her global perspective—shaped by extensive travel, multilingual abilities, and cross-cultural training—has reinforced her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare.A firm believer in innovative, cross-disciplinary collaborations, Dr. Gutnik focuses on implementing high-quality, cost-effective breast cancer care, particularly for vulnerable women. She champions a convergence science approach to address the complex root causes of health disparities, using implementation science to develop interventions that drive health equity.For Dr. Gutnik, becoming a breast surgeon is more than a profession—it is a mission to empower women through health. Tune in as she shares her insights on building sustainable healthcare solutions, tackling systemic inequities, and the future of breast cancer care.Featured in this episode: Stigma around breast cancer and mistrust in the African and African American community Discovering Hands Initiative empowering blind women Uninsured and underinsured patients still face barriers to care Advancing breast cancer treatment in the US – But at what cost? Tanzania leading the charge in education, awareness, and stigma reduction Tuskegee Syphilis StudyFollow us on social media: Instagram: @drrpope TikTok: @vulvadoctor Twitter: @drrpope LinkedInWant more from Our Womanity?If you enjoyed this episode of Our Womanity, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you engaging and empowering content.

The reach of the James Cancer Hospital extends far beyond Central Ohio. As part of Ohio State's Global One Health Initiative (GOHi), Robert Baiocchi, MD, PhD, is leading the research, vaccination and treatment efforts in Ethiopia for patients with lymphoma. “Lymphoma, a cancer of the white blood cells, is far more common in Sub-Saharan Africa, and afflicts people at a younger age” said Baiocchi, a James medical oncologist who specializes in treating patients with blood cancers. The prevalence of malaria and the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has led to the increased number of lymphoma diagnoses. “Starting in 2015 we opened a lab in Addis Ababa [the capital of Ethiopia] to study these viruses and how they cause cancers,” Baiocchi said, adding the initial research was to determine why the lymphoma rate was so high. “We're zeroing in on a couple of interesting findings; children who get malaria and EBV, that seems to be the perfect storm [for lymphoma].” Differences in the genetic makeup of people in Sub-Sharan Africa could be another factor in the increased lymphoma rates. Baiocchi and his team, and their partners in Ethiopia, are working on vaccines for malaria and EBV. “Studies tell us the virus here [in the United States] is different from the viruses in Ethipia and the vaccines we use here won't work there,” he said. “It's important to understand the genetic makeup of EBV in order to develop a vaccine that will be effective in that region.” The standard of care at the James for lymphoma patients includes a combination of chemotherapy drugs – and has proven to be very effective. “The resources for this aren't available in Ethiopia,” Baiocchi said, adding the James is developing a less-expensive, targeted therapy that shows promise. There are also plans to create a facility in Addis Ababa where lymphoma patients will be treated with cell therapy.

Reports suggest that climate change is set to cost the global economy $38 billion per year by 2049. Emerging markets need close to $2.4 trillion per year by 2030 to meet the climate goals. That's 4 times what is currently invested. But high capital costs are stalling clean energy investment across Africa. If you want to build a renewable energy project in Sub-Saharan Africa, the weighted average cost of capital would be up to 4x as much as the same project in Western Europe or the US, due to the real and perceived risks of investing on the continent.If the world invests in renewables and green technology in Africa at Africa's cost of capital, it will underinvest in green energy assets. 00:00 - The climate funding gap01:01 - It's 4x more expensive to build an energy project in Africa02:10 - The cheapest energy is where there is high energy density03:26 - Startup financing needs06:23 - Addressing funding challenges at the multinational levelCheck out more episodes of The Greenprint here.This episode of The Greenprint was produced in partnership with Catalyst Fund, Delta40, and Africa Climate Ventures.Delta40 is a venture studio and venture capital fund supporting diverse founders leading ventures in energy, agriculture, and fintech, with a special focus on supporting African and female entrepreneurs. Beyond capital, they provide hands-on support from experienced operators & investors to drive growth from idea to pan-African scale. Africa Climate Ventures is a pioneering venture builder working to build a portfolio of climate businesses on the continent. ACV invests to bring proven global climate technology to Africa, accelerate and de-risk the continental expansion of technologies and business models that have gained traction in one or a few African market(s), and add carbon revenue streams to existing African businesses with the potential to scale climate-positive solutions.‍Catalyst Fund is a venture capital fund and venture builder, investing for a climate resilient future in Africa. They combine capital and a hands-on venture-building approach at the pre-seed stage, to partner with visionary founders who are developing climate adaptation solutions that enhance the resilience of communities and the planet.This episode is made possible through a partnership with Prosper Africa's Catalytic Investment Facility. Aimed at boosting investment and innovative climate adaptation and resilience ventures across Africa, The Catalyst Fund is one of the grantees under Prosper Africa's Catalytic Investment Facility. Prosper Africa is a Presidential-level national security initiative aimed at strengthening the strategic and economic partnership between the U.S. and Africa by catalyzing transformative two-way trade and investment flows.Our Links -

Jim talks with Rob Henderson about his book Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class and the concept of luxury beliefs. They discuss Rob's journey from foster care to Yale and Cambridge, Jim's background, the decline in two-parent families from 1960 to 2005, changing forms of elite hypocrisy, intra-elite competition, corporate adoption of woke beliefs, enforcement of ideological conformity, the spread of academic ideas into mainstream culture, attributions of success, drugs and gambling as luxury beliefs, the self-control aristocracy, Western environmentalism's impact on Sub-Saharan Africa, elite opinion vs public opinion, and much more. Episode Transcript Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class, by Rob Henderson Rob Henderson's Newsletter Marc Andreessen's interview with Ross Douthat in the New York Times "What the Left Did to Me and My Family," by Christopher Rufo Rob Henderson grew up in foster homes in Los Angeles and in the rural town of Red Bluff, California. After enlisting in the U.S. Air Force at the age of seventeen, he subsequently attended Yale on the GI Bill and was then awarded the Gates Cambridge Scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge, where he obtained a PhD in psychology in 2022. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a Contributing Editor for City Journal, and his Substack newsletter is sent each week to more than 70 thousand subscribers.

The surge in popularity of Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek has sparked a selloff of shares in major tech companies after it overtook rivals such as ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on Apple's App Store. How will it affect the IT industry?Also, we look at the US and Colombia as countries appear to have entered into a tit-for-tat trade war.And the promise to electrify billions of homes across Sub-Saharan Africa at the ‘Mission 300' conference being held in the Tanzanian Capital Dar Es Salaam.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033. We would love to hear from you!

One of the biggest challenges facing sub-Saharan African nations is how to help farmers withstand climate and economic headwinds and produce food for a growing population. Critics say most U.S. aid dollars are going to U.S.-based companies with little involvement by locally-led groups closest to the problem. Fred de Sam Lazaro looks at two food startups in Ghana for his series, Agents for Change. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Lions are one of the most respected animals in the animal kingdom.  They are called the king of the jungle, they are used on the crests of royal houses, and the ancients made a lion one of the signs of the zodiac. They have been the subject of fables and some of the world's most popular movies. But how did an animal that is today found in Sub-Saharan Africa manage to become a cultural reference for countries in Asia and Europe well before there was any regular contact between the regions?  Learn more about lions, how they behave and their role in human history on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Mint Mobile Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed MasterClass Get up to 50% off at MASTERCLASS.COM/EVERYWHERE Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! ButcherBox New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive 2 lbs of grass-fed ground beef in every box for the lifetime of their subscription + $20 off your first box when you use code daily at checkout! Subscribe to the podcast!  https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Ben Long & Cameron Kieffer   Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Update your podcast app at newpodcastapps.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices